Shrimp Dishes You Need to Try Now

by Natasha Wolff | August 3, 2016 1:06 pm

Shrimp[1] dishes can be enjoyed in a myriad of ways — barbecued, boiled, broiled, baked, sautéed and more — at restaurants across the country.

Shrimp, known to many as prawns or the swimming crustacean[2] (typically aquatic invertebrate animals), differentiates itself from similar species like crabs and lobsters because of its developed pleopods (swimming limbs) and slender walking legs, making it better adapted for swimming than walking. Because shrimp live near the seafloor of most coasts, rivers and lakes — they’ve adapted to both freshwater and marine environments — they’re easy to fish for and enjoy on plates around the world.

From kabobs to gumbo and sandwiches to burgers, no two shrimp dishes are made the same. Check out these 14 shrimp dishes that are hooking our attention:

1. CHILLED JUMBO SHRIMP COCKTAIL – THE ARTHUR J (Los Angeles)[3]

A classic preparation that allows the tastiness and freshness of the crustacean to shine, the chilled jumbo shrimp cocktail at The Arthur J is accompanied by spicy cocktail sauce with fresh horseradish, dill and cucumber.

Photo provided by The Arthur J.

2. SEAFOOD A LA PLANCHA – ROOT (Philadelphia)[4]

A healthy, refreshing fish dish perfect for summer, the seafood a la plancha at ROOT is prepared with scallops, shrimp, squid and a lemon-aleppo (smoky, Middle Eastern pepper) vinaigrette.

Photo provided by ROOT. Photo by Brent Herrig.

3. PEEL & EAT FRESH GULF PRAWNS – WILLI’S SEAFOOD & RAW BAR (San Francisco)[5]

With a name that says it all, Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar, just north of San Francisco in Healdsburg, has an entire menu section dedicated to the fruits of the sea, including peel-and-eat fresh Gulf prawns, chilled half Dungeness crab, chilled half Maine lobster and Alaskan king crab legs.

Photo provided by Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar.

4. N’AWLINS BARBECUE SHRIMP TOAST – BISq (Boston)[6]

Reflecting the popularity of shrimp in Cajun cuisine, BISq delivers a “N’awlins” barbecue shrimp toast with “sexy” scallions.

Photo provided by BISq.

5. ADRIATIC SEAFOOD BRODETTO – FIOLA MARE (Washington D.C.)[7]

Offering a seafood-inspired menu, Fiola Mare (meaning “sea” in Italian) delights fish lovers with its Adriatic seafood brodetto with monkfish, branzino, red sea bream, clams, calamari, wild tiger prawn, potatoes and saffron broth.

Photo provided by Fiola Mare.

6. CAROLINA SHRIMP – ACME (New York)[8]

The Carolina shrimp appetizer at ACME is prepared with egg yolk, pickled turnip and celeriac chips, evoking bold, inventive flavors in every crunchy bite.

Photo provided by ACME.

7. SHRIMP ROBATA – SUMI ROBATA BAR (Chicago)[9]

Sumi Robata Bar prepares a variety of vegetables (yasai), seafood (gyokai-rui) and meats (oniku) on the robata (Japanese-style barbecue), including shrimp with sea salt.

Photo provided by Sumi Robata Bar.

8. JUMBO SHRIMP – FISHING WITH DYNAMITE (Los Angeles)[10]

On its seafood-focused menu, Fishing with Dynamite offers jumbo shrimp from the raw bar, available by the half dozen or on an assorted shellfish platter, as well as shrimp ceviche with blood orange, black plum, radish, serrano pepper and avocado.

Photo provided by Fishing with Dynamite.

9. PAD CHAR SHRIMPS – FARMHOUSE KITCHEN (San Francisco)[11]

Beloved in Thai cuisine, shrimp pops up frequently on the menu at Farmhouse Kitchen, including as an appetizer marinated in red curry paste, a stir-fried main dish with red curry sauce and as the protein in its signature pad Thai.

Photo provided by Farmhouse Kitchen.

10. CAROLINA SHRIMP & GRITS – WHETSTONE (Philadelphia)[12]

Whetstone brings the flavors and tastiness of traditional Southern cooking to the table with its Carolina shrimp and grits sauteed with shallots, peppers and ham, served over cheesy grits and topped with a poached egg.

Photo provided by Whetstone. Photo by Vanessa Beahn.

11. EL PESCO – BÄCO MERCAT (Los Angeles)[13]

Bäco Mercat offers chef Josef Centeno’s trademarked bäco sandwiches, a delicious, creative cross between a pizza, taco and gyro, including a fiery combination of crispy shrimp, Sriracha sauce and chive dressing.

Photo provided by Bäco Mercat.

12. MOQUECA – LA SIRENA CLANDESTINA (Chicago)[14]

Shrimp is a staple on La Sirena Clandestina’s vibrant Brazilian menu, from the moqueca — a clam and shrimp stew with coconut broth and cilantro risotto — to the head-on prawns with charred serrano salsa.

Photo provided by La Sirena Clandestina.

13. SAFFRON SEAFOOD PASTA – DARREN’S RESTAURANT (Los Angeles)[15]

In its “below the horizon” menu section made for seafood lovers, Darren’s Restaurant lists a delicious saffron seafood pasta including Maine lobster chunks, scallops, fin fishes, black mussels, Mexican white shrimp, lobster cream sauce and sugar plum tomatoes tossed with linguine.

Photo provided by Darren’s Restaurant.

14. DEVILED EGGS – DITCH PLAINS (New York)[16]

One of many small plates great for sharing with friends, the deviled eggs at Ditch Plains are topped with delightfully crunchy fried shrimp.

Photo provided by Ditch Plains.