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Vietnamese Grilled And Barbecued Dishes Chao Tom

Vietnamese Sugarcane Shrimp Recipe (Chạo Tôm)

A delicious and eye-catchy appetizer, chạo tôm is the delight of many big parties in Vietnam. Learn how to make it in your kitchen and discover its appeal yourself!
5 from 2 votes
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Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Keyword: Chạo Tôm, Vietnamese Sugarcane Shrimp
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Dietary Preference: Dairy-Free, Gluten-free
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 492kcal

Equipment

  • Oven (with grill setting)
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Food Prep Gloves
  • Cooking Oil Sprayer
  • Food processor

Ingredients

The Shrimp Paste

  • 500 grams fresh shrimp
  • 100 grams pork paste
  • 100 grams pork fat
  • 1 egg
  • 12 small sugarcane sticks
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon soup powder
  • 2 tablespoons scallions and oil garnish
  • 15 grams minced garlic and shallots

The Dipping Sauce

  • 100 ml hot water
  • 75 ml Vietnamese fish sauce
  • 70 grams brown sugar
  • Lemon juice
  • Minced garlic and chili peppers

Others:

  • Vegetables: cucumbers lettuce, Thai basil, Vietnamese balm, beefsteak plant, etc.
  • Starchy sides: rice noodles rice paper
US Customary - Metric

Instructions 

  • Clean the shrimp and let them drain. Dice pork fat into small cubes.
    Chao Tom Step 1 Prepare Ingredients1
  • Cut each sugarcane stick to a length of 4 inches (10 centimeters and quarter it lengthwise.
    Chao Tom Step 1 Prepare Ingredients2
  • Blanch the pork fat in boiling water for 45 - 60 seconds before immersing them in cold water. Sift them out and let them drain.
    Chao Tom Step 1 Prepare Ingredients3
  • Blend the shrimp coarsely in the food processor.
    Chao Tom Step 2 Prepare Shrimp Paste1
  • Mix the shrimp paste, pork paste, pork fat, scallions and oil garnish, minced garlic, minced shallots, an egg, brown sugar, chili powder, black pepper, and soup powder thoroughly in the mixing bowl.
    Chao Tom Step 2 Prepare Shrimp Paste2
  • Put a suitable amount of shrimp paste in the palm of your hand. Place a sugarcane stick on top of it, then close the hand with the shrimp paste tightly.
    Rotate the stick with your free hand while using the other hand to pat out the shrimp paste and ensure that it covers the stick evenly.
    Chao Tom Step 3 Shape Chao Tom Sticks
  • Repeat the process for the remaining sugarcane sticks. Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C) for 5 minutes.
    Arrange the sticks on the tray.
    Chao Tom Step 4 Grill Chao Tom Sticks1
  • Grill at 356°F (180°C) for 10 minutes.
    Chao Tom Step 4 Grill Chao Tom Sticks2
  • Remove the tray from the oven and turn over the sticks.
    Chao Tom Step 4 Grill Chao Tom Sticks3
  • Spray them with oil.
    Chao Tom Step 4 Grill Chao Tom Sticks4
  • And then bake for another 5 minutes.
    Chao Tom Step 4 Grill Chao Tom Sticks5
  • Make the dipping sauce with hot water, Vietnamese fish sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice, minced garlic, and chili peppers.
    Chao Tom Step 4 Grill Chao Tom Sticks6
  • Serve the dish with rice noodles, rice paper, herbs, and the dipping sauce.
    Chao Tom Outro

Video

Notes

  • The instructions are for preparing 4 servings.
  • You can try cooking chạo tôm with a charcoal grill or an air-fryer.
  • Cook them just before serving to keep them hot and crispy.
  • Feel free to adjust the amount of seasoning to suit your preference.
  • Add minced pork to create bigger sticks.
  • You can take optional preparation steps like freezing the shrimp for a short time before blending them, throwing the shrimp paste against the walls of the bowl multiple times, and steaming the sticks for several minutes before grilling them.

Nutrition

Calories: 492kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 284mg | Sodium: 2218mg | Potassium: 513mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 242IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 118mg | Iron: 1mg