Drunken Shrimp

What is drunken shrimp?

Drunken shrimp, or drunken prawns, is a dish of freshwater shrimp eaten either cooked or raw.[1] The shrimp are immersed in liquor to make them easier to eat, which is where the name "drunken" comes from.[1]

Where in China is it eaten?

It is popular in parts of China, and recipes differ from place to place.[1]

How it is made and eaten

Recipes vary by region:[1]

1. Soak the shrimp in alcohol, then cook them in boiling water.[1]
2. Or boil the shrimp first, then marinate them in alcohol.[1]
3. Or put live shrimp in a bowl of rice wine. The wine makes them expel their waste, and they are usually eaten once they stop moving.[1]

What does it taste like?

We did not find a reliable published tasting description to quote, so we are not inventing one.

History and culture

Japan has a similar dish called odori ebi, part of a wider tradition of eating live seafood.[1]

Where to try it in China

The source we read only says it is popular in parts of China, so we are not naming specific cities.[1]

How to order it

Drunken shrimp is zuì xiā (醉虾). Ask whether it is raw or cooked using the phrase below.

How much does it cost?

We have not verified a price, so we are not quoting one.

🎥 Watch us find it

We have not published verified footage of drunken shrimp yet. See all our China street-food videos.

FAQ

Is drunken shrimp served alive?

In some versions, live shrimp are put in rice wine and eaten after they stop moving. Other versions are cooked.

Is drunken shrimp safe?

Raw freshwater shrimp carry a risk of paragonimiasis, a parasitic infection. Cooked versions are safer.

Why is it called drunken?

Because the shrimp are immersed in liquor.

Is there a similar dish elsewhere?

Yes. Japan's odori ebi is a similar live-shrimp dish.

Can I eat it with a shellfish allergy?

No. Shrimp contain tropomyosin, the main shellfish allergen.