Panda Inn's Sweet and Pungent Shrimp

Delight your taste buds with Panda Inn’s Sweet and Pungent Shrimp, a sensational Chinese-American classic that perfectly balances crispy, golden-fried shrimp with a vibrant sauce bursting with tangy sweetness and a subtle kick of spice. The shrimp are coated in a light cornstarch batter, fried to a perfect crunch, and then tossed in a luscious glaze made from sugar, rice vinegar, ketchup, garlic, and ginger. Optional red pepper flakes add a spicy twist for those craving extra heat. Topped with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for a fragrant finish, this dish comes together in just 30 minutes, making it an ideal option for an impressive yet easy dinner. Serve this restaurant-quality dish with steamed rice and watch it become a household favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 large egg
• 0.5 cup cornstarch
• 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
• 0.25 cup white sugar
• 0.25 cup rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
• 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

In a mixing bowl, beat the egg. Add the shrimp and mix until the shrimp are coated.

Step 2

Add the cornstarch to the shrimp and toss to coat evenly. Set aside.

Step 3

In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, rice vinegar, ketchup, minced garlic, minced ginger, and optional red pepper flakes. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved and the sauce has thickened slightly (about 3-5 minutes). Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 4

Heat the vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).

Step 5

Carefully add the shrimp to the hot oil in small batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the shrimp until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per batch. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 6

Once all the shrimp are fried, transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Pour the prepared sauce over the shrimp and toss until evenly coated.

Step 7

Transfer the shrimp to a serving plate. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Step 8

Serve immediately with steamed rice or your favorite side dish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1201.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5017.1

Total Fat 486.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 70.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0g
Cholesterol 1076.8mg	0%
Sodium 746.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 94.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 2.5g	0%
Total Sugars 56.3g
Protein 118.2g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 465.4mg	0%
Iron 4.4mg	0%
Potassium 1425.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 83.7%

Protein: 9.0%

Carbs: 7.2%