Bang Bang Shrimp Bowl in 30 Minutes

The Ultimate Bang Bang Shrimp Bowl: A Flavor Explosion in Every Bite

If you’re looking for a dish that’s equal parts delicious, satisfying, and downright fun to eat, you’re in for a treat! Meet the Bang Bang Shrimp Bowl—a vibrant combination of crispy shrimp, creamy sauce, and fresh ingredients that’s as Instagram-worthy as it is mouthwatering.

This bowl takes the iconic Bang Bang Shrimp—famous for its sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors—and turns it into a full-fledged meal. Picture perfectly seasoned shrimp nestled on a bed of fluffy rice, crunchy veggies, and drizzled with a zesty, creamy Bang Bang sauce that ties it all together. It’s the perfect balance of textures and flavors, making it an easy weeknight dinner or a show-stopping lunch option.

Ready to dive in? Let’s get cooking!

Ingredients & Substitutes

• Jumbo Shrimp: Opt for the easy-peel, deveined variety to save time and effort!

• Buttermilk: Use 1 cup of whole milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice (let it sit for 5 minutes before use), or substitute with Greek yogurt or sour cream.

• Cornstarch, or potato starch or tapioca starch. Rice flour could work too.

• Neutral oil: Use oils such as avocado, sunflower, grapeseed, peanut, vegetable, or canola oil. Avoid olive oil or any oils with strong scents.

• Salt & Black Pepper

• Garlic powder: or substitute with onion powder

• Green onions: optional garnish

Bang Bang Sauce

• Japanese Mayo aka Kewpie Mayo: You can also substitute it with regular mayonnaise, which is commonly available. If you're looking for the original ingredient, check Asian grocery stores for a clear plastic bottle with a red cap.

• Sweet Thai Chili Sauce: This ingredient is available at Asian grocery stores or many Western supermarkets. It's a sweet, reddish, translucent sauce with finely diced chili.

• Sriracha sauce: Alternatively, you can use any hot sauce of your choice if sriracha is unavailable.

  
  Notes for Easy Bang Bang Shrimp

• Japanese mayo: Regular mayonnaise works fine, but Japanese mayo offers a creamier texture and richer flavor that's worth trying.

• Deep fry option: You may also opt to deep-fry the shrimp if that aligns with your preference.

Ingredients

• 453 g Jumbo Shrimp peeled and deveined

• 250 ml buttermilk or sub with 1 cup whole milk and 1 tablespoon lemon juice and let it sit for 5 minutes first

• 3/4 cup cornstarch or substitute with potato starch/tapioca starch

• 250 ml vegetable oil or any neutral oil

• 3/4 tsp salt

• 0.75 tsp garlic powder

• 0.5 tsp black pepper

• 1 green onion finely chopped for garnish

Bang Bang Sauce:

• 120 ml Japanese mayonnaise or substitute with normal mayo

• 60 ml Thai Sweet Chili sauce

• 2 tbsp sriracha sauce add more if you like it spicier
  

Instructions

1. Place the peeled and deveined shrimp in a medium bowl, pour in the buttermilk, and let them soak for 10 minutes to tenderize.

2. In a small bowl, mix together the ingredients for the Bang Bang Sauce as directed. Set aside.

3. In a shallow dish or baking tray, combine cornstarch, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper by whisking them together.

4. Coat the shrimp with the cornstarch mixture by thoroughly dredging both sides.

5. Heat oil in a large (10-inch) skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat, or until a digital thermometer reads 350°F. Once the oil is hot, fry the shrimp in small batches, cooking each side for about 1.5 minutes until golden brown. Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure the shrimp turn out crispy and be careful not to overcook them.

6. Transfer the cooked shrimp to a wire rack or a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

7. Place the crispy shrimp in a large bowl, drizzle the sauce over them, and gently toss to combine.

8. Garnish with green onions. Enjoy!

Can I air fry the shrimp?

Absolutely! Here's how to air fry the shrimp.

• Apply a light coat of neutral oil to the air fryer basket.

• After coating the shrimp in cornstarch, arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring each piece has enough space without overlapping. If necessary, cook the shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding.

• Lightly coat each piece with neutral oil.

• Cook the shrimp in an air fryer at 400°F for 7–8 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

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