
Simple & Savory Marinated Shrimp (Saewoo Jang)
Simple & Savory Marinated Shrimp (Saewoo Jang)
Easy Homemade Marinated Shrimp Using Frozen Shrimp (Inspired by Altoran Recipe)
Experience the delightful chewy texture of plump shrimp infused with a perfectly balanced sweet and savory soy sauce. This ‘rice thief’ side dish is incredibly delicious and will disappear in no time! Enjoy the subtle sweetness at the end of each bite. (Recipe adapted from Altoran.)
Main Ingredients- 30 large frozen white leg shrimp
- 600ml ice water
- 100ml soju (or cooking wine)
- 3 Tbsp coarse salt
Marinade Sauce- 1 cup (200ml) soy sauce (jin ganjang)
- 1 cup (200ml) cooking wine (mirin)
- 5 Tbsp sugar (approx. 75g)
- 50g ginger, thinly sliced
- 3 dried chili peppers
- 800ml water
- 1 cup (200ml) soy sauce (jin ganjang)
- 1 cup (200ml) cooking wine (mirin)
- 5 Tbsp sugar (approx. 75g)
- 50g ginger, thinly sliced
- 3 dried chili peppers
- 800ml water
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
In a pot, combine 800ml of water and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, add the soy sauce, cooking wine, sugar, sliced ginger, and dried chili peppers. Cover the pot and simmer over medium heat for about 5 minutes to create the flavorful marinade.
Step 2
After 5 minutes, strain the cooked marinade through a fine sieve, discarding all the solids. Let the clear marinade cool completely.
Step 3
Place the frozen shrimp in a colander and let them thaw gently under running cold water for 4-5 minutes. Avoid rinsing them vigorously; a slow thaw is best for texture.
Step 4
Once thawed, peel the shrimp, leaving the heads and tails intact. Gently insert a skewer or toothpick into the back of the shrimp (near the second segment from the head) to remove the dark vein (intestines). Make a shallow cut along the back to help the shrimp straighten out. (Keep the shell on the tail for presentation.)
Step 5
Tip for perfectly straightened shrimp: Hold the body of the shrimp with one hand and gently pull the tail with the other while wiggling slightly. This will help the shrimp extend into a beautiful, straight shape.
Step 6
In a bowl, fill with plenty of ice-cold water, then add the soju and 3 tablespoons of coarse salt. Stir well. Gently swirl the prepared shrimp in this ice water bath to rinse them thoroughly. This step helps remove any fishy odor and makes the shrimp extra firm.
Step 7
After rinsing, carefully arrange the shrimp on paper towels to drain excess moisture. Ensuring the shrimp are well-dried is crucial to prevent diluting the marinade.
Step 8
Arrange the drained shrimp neatly in an airtight container. Pour the completely cooled marinade sauce over the shrimp, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 5 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 9
For an extra touch, garnish the finished marinated shrimp with thinly sliced red chilies. This adds a beautiful visual appeal and a hint of spicy flavor, making it even more delightful. It’s also delicious served over rice as a shrimp bowl!

