Menbosha, also known as Mian Bao Xia, is a popular Korean-Chinese fusion dish that consists of shrimp toast. It’s a delightful snack or appetizer featuring a shrimp paste sandwiched between slices of bread, which is then either fried or air-fried to crispy perfection. The shrimp filling is light, flavorful, and seasoned with rice wine, green onions, and spices, making this a deliciously crunchy and savory treat.
Ingredients:
- For the Shrimp Filling:
- 10 large shrimps, deveined and deshelled
- 2-3 stalks of green onion, finely chopped
- 1 egg white
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 tablespoon cooking rice wine
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- For the Toast:
- 6 slices of white bread, crusts removed
- Canola oil spray, for air frying (or oil for frying if using stovetop)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Shrimp Paste:
- Finely chop the shrimp into a paste or use a food processor to pulse the shrimp until smooth.
- Transfer the shrimp paste to a mixing bowl and add the finely chopped green onion, egg white, cornstarch, cooking rice wine, black pepper, and salt.
- Mix thoroughly until everything is well combined and the mixture has a thick, paste-like consistency.
2. Assemble the Shrimp Toast:
- Take the slices of white bread and cut them into 4 equal squares (you should have 24 squares total).
- Spread a generous layer of the shrimp paste on half of the bread squares.
- Top each with another piece of bread to create a sandwich, pressing down gently to ensure the shrimp paste adheres to both slices.
3. Air Fry or Fry the Shrimp Toast:
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly spray both sides of the shrimp toast sandwiches with canola oil spray.
- Place the sandwiches in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the bread is golden brown and crispy.
- If you prefer to fry on the stovetop, heat about 1/2 inch of oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Fry the shrimp toast sandwiches in batches, cooking for about 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
4. Serve:
- Once the Menbosha is crispy and golden, serve immediately.
- These shrimp toasts are delicious on their own or paired with a dipping sauce like sweet chili sauce or soy sauce.
Conclusion:
This Menbosha (Korean Chinese Shrimp Toast) is a perfect fusion of crunchy toast and savory shrimp paste, making it an irresistible snack or appetizer. Whether air-fried for a lighter version or pan-fried for extra crispiness, these shrimp toasts are quick and easy to make. They’re ideal for parties, gatherings, or simply when you’re craving a delicious, savory bite.
Menbosha (Korean Chinese Shrimp Toast)
Ingredients
For the Shrimp Filling:
- 10 large shrimps deveined and deshelled
- 2-3 stalks of green onion finely chopped
- 1 egg white
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 tablespoon cooking rice wine
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
For the Toast:
- 6 slices of white bread crusts removed
- Canola oil spray for air frying (or oil for frying if using stovetop)
Instructions
Prepare the Shrimp Paste:
- Finely chop the shrimp into a paste or use a food processor to pulse the shrimp until smooth.
- Transfer the shrimp paste to a mixing bowl and add the finely chopped green onion, egg white, cornstarch, cooking rice wine, black pepper, and salt.
- Mix thoroughly until everything is well combined and the mixture has a thick, paste-like consistency.
Assemble the Shrimp Toast:
- Take the slices of white bread and cut them into 4 equal squares (you should have 24 squares total).
- Spread a generous layer of the shrimp paste on half of the bread squares.
- Top each with another piece of bread to create a sandwich, pressing down gently to ensure the shrimp paste adheres to both slices.
Air Fry or Fry the Shrimp Toast:
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly spray both sides of the shrimp toast sandwiches with canola oil spray.
- Place the sandwiches in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the bread is golden brown and crispy.
- If you prefer to fry on the stovetop, heat about 1/2 inch of oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Fry the shrimp toast sandwiches in batches, cooking for about 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
Serve:
- Once the Menbosha is crispy and golden, serve immediately.
- These shrimp toasts are delicious on their own or paired with a dipping sauce like sweet chili sauce or soy sauce.