This This is my post on how to make Bang Bang Shrimp better than Bonefish Grill or Rock Shrimp to substitute for your Nobu craving. It’s a pretty wild proposition so I have to declare it up front. I promise to create more shrimp recipes in the next coming months and especially for our Chef and Steward 10th Anniversary e-Cookbook, which I am currently working on. This post was sponsored by Super Do it Center Aruba, from which I sourced all the ingredients.
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Bonefish Bang Bang Shrimp vs Nobu Rock Shrimp Tempura
Firstly, I must start off by saying how much I LOVE rock shrimp tempura, or Bang Bang shrimp as its called in the USA. This picante y dulce camaroon (spicy and sweet shrimp) recipe originated with the iconic Japanese chef, Nobu.
His technique is a little different, and uses a tempura batter and fresh homemade mayonnaise. I am going to go to the mega easy method here in this printable recipe, using store bought Japanese kewpie mayonnaise and no batter but will create a video for my Chef and Steward YouTube channel with the Nobu Rock Shrimp Tempura Method adopted from Nodo Matsuhisa’s Nobu Now. This way you will have the best of both worlds and can actually make both and leave comments to share which version you liked more.
Please leave a comment right to say which method you think is my all time favourite- this Bonefish Bang Bang method or the Nobu Rock Shrimp Tempura method?
My Waldorf Astoria Rock Shrimp Tempura Experience
It was while I was living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE and home to Dubai) that I first has Rock Shrimp as a starter at their Umi Japanese Restaurant. It was just 5 weeks after giving birth to my now 7 yo son and it was the very first time that I was leaving him after giving birth via emergency C-section.
It was an anniversary dinner. My mother was there for the birth of Jaja, my little Apprentice and it was a mega surprise. We had the whole restaurant to ourselves as it was specially arranged that we would be among the first to taste the menu – even prior to their soft opening.
Let’s just say that the Rock Shrimp made the menu!
Whilst the marriage didn’t last, my love for this starter has. And as always, there are lessons to be learnt! Look at my baby now!
One thing the pandemic has forced us to do is to be more intentional with our cooking skills in order to be better able to create restaurant quality meals at home. People wanting to learn to cook tastier meals at home is I am seeing a huge surge in interest for my Caribbean Cooking Classes, both in person and virtually.
I may come up with a more Caribbean version for my cooking class as well. Let me know if you think that’s a great idea. But honestly I love these as is.
What kind of shrimp to use for Rock Shrimp Tempura or Bang Bang Shrimp
The Nobu method calls for actual rock shrimp varieties. However I just like to use shop that is about 16-20 per lb. Nobu version also has you cutting the Rock shrimp into bite sized pieces.
For home cooking, especially without fancy commercial deep fryers with wire baskets with small weaves to ensure the shrimp can be removed quickly in one go, you are better off just using one shrimp. Yes it does affect the dish texturally but you would have to have highly discerning palates or food critic level awareness to even note the difference and have a preference.
I notice the difference absolutely but I am not made about it so much as to want to make it harder to do at home. I must also note that this it originally served in small portions as starters so cutting in small portions and serving in a martini or other cocktail kind of glass would make a difference. If you want to serve larger portions than just a small appetizer portioned per person, frying the shrimp whole would be easier.
More shrimp recipes for shrimp lovers
If you are a mega shrimp lover like I am, here are some of my top rated shrimp recipes you may also want to check out:
Jerk Shrimp and PAN Harina Grits
Jamaican Curry Shrimp and Cauliflower Rice Keto Bowl
Bang Bang Shrimp
This is the best Bang Bang Shrimp copycat recipe on the internet. Also has a video for the Rock Shrimp Tempura recipe by Nobu. Great as a starter or for a protein rich snack for games night, date night or movie night recipes.
Ingredients
- 1 lb/ 500g shrimp, deveined, tail off (size 11-30 or larger)
- 1 cup plain oil (peanut, sunflower, canola etc)
- FLOUR STARCH MIXTURE:
- 1/3 cup rice starch/cornstarch
- 1/3 cup potato starch
- 1/3 cup tapioca starch
- SAUCE:
- 1/2 cup Kewpie Mayonnaise (see recommended products)
- 1/4 cup Mae Ploy Thai. Sweet Chili Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Huy Fong Sriracha Sauce
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp soy sauce
Instructions
- First Combine ingredients listed above under “sauce.”
- Preheat oil to 350-350 F /170-180
- Wash shrimp in cold water and pat dry.
- Add shrimp to Starch Flour Mixture and shake off excess
- Fry shrimp in large skillet or deepfryer. If 12 inches in diameter, you may do so in two batches. If using a pot with a smaller circumference, make smaller frying batches. Do no overcrowd pan.
- Fry a total of 3 minutes if being deep fried. If shallow fring, fry for 90 seconds on each side.
- Quickly toss fried shrimp in oil and serve immediately
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I had no idea it could be so simple to make such amazing bang bang shrimp at home! Thanks for this recipe!
Me neither. So good!
Every time I go out if there is Bang Bang shrimp on the menu, I’m ordering it. I’m soooo excited to now have a make at home version!!
Yes you must now make your own, especially in these times
Love shrimp and always want to try something new. This recipe sounds fantastic. I will be making this soon
Happy to add value to your readership!
Wow! This recipe looks so easy, aside from that it looks delicious. I will add this to my recipe lists. Thank you!
So glad to hear that!
So glad I came across this recipe. I can’t wait to impress my family and friends by making my own bang bang shrimp at home!
They are going to be so thrilled! It’s gonna make the Most Requested rotation!
Light, crispy, sweet and spicy; these shrimp were fantastic!
Thanks for trying my recipe and coming back to leave your feedback!
Wow, this recipe for bang bang shrimp looks super delicious and really flavourful! I’m going to be making this soon. Thank you for sharing this recipe, I can’t wait to try this out!
Thrilled to hear that! Your family is going to LOVE it!
This looks fantastic, and I love that it’s gluten free and how easily it comes together. I think the bang bang shrimp is my favourite of the two!
Glad to hear!
This was so good and easy to prepare! Thank you so much for this recipe, we are big shrimps lover so this was perfect!
Thanks for sharing your feedback!
Thank you so much for sharing this shrimp recipe! It tasted so amazing and really flavorful! Will surely have this one again!
Thanks for sharing your feedback!
We fell in love with these in VA and have missed them after moving away. So easy to make and fulfill those cravings!
So glad to help you recreate memories
I’ve never had bang bang shrimp but this recipe looked so good I had to make it! It was delicious, we loved every bite! That sauce on top is to die for!
Thanks for letting me know how much you love the recipe!
Of course I had to make this immediately – I have found a new love!
Thanks for your feedback!
You always have the best shrimp recipes! This bang bang shrimp was delicious!
Thanks Crystal. I love shrimp so I love developing shrimp recipes. Will be adding lots more in short order too!
Okay, this recipe really is better than the restaurant version, AND so easy to make!! My family absolutely loved the shrimp. They are already asking me when I will make it again! Thanks for the recipe
Now THAT is one heck of a compliment! Thanks ever so much for coming back to let me know.
I’m so happy I finally tried this recipe! This shrimp was absolutely delicious! The kids asked for seconds so I had to make another batch! Thanks for sharing this!
I know right! I always have to double for this same reason. ONly its me and not the kids. Ooops!
Thanks for helping me make this delicious restaurant classic at home! The flavours were amazing and I can’t wait to show this dish of at my next event!
Your friends will LOVE it! Thanks for trying it and letting me know.
The sauce had me! Delicious and flavorful – and you gave Bonefish a run for their money!
Yaayyy! I am winning right now! Thanks so much for your feedback!