Kim Dae-seok's Shrimp and Zucchini Side Dish

Name: Kim Dae-seok's Shrimp and Zucchini Side Dish
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 3 servings
Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients: zucchini 2 pieces (about 600g); onion 1/2 piece; shrimp paste 1 tablespoon; soy sauce 1 tablespoon; fresh shrimp 7 pieces; mirin 1 tablespoon; minced garlic 1 tablespoon; water 1/2 cup (100ml); sesame oil 1 tablespoon; toasted sesame seeds to taste

A zucchini side dish marinated with shrimp paste and soy sauce to prevent crumbling, then enhanced with tender shrimp and mild onion for an explosive savory flavor.

35 min Difficulty Easy side dish

Main ingredients

zucchinionionshrimp pasteshrimp

Ingredients needed 3 servings

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zucchini 2 pieces (about 600g)

onion 1/2 piece

shrimp paste 1 tablespoon

soy sauce 1 tablespoon

fresh shrimp 7 pieces

mirin 1 tablespoon

minced garlic 1 tablespoon

water 1/2 cup (100ml)

sesame oil 1 tablespoon

toasted sesame seeds to taste

Recipe

Cut zucchini lengthwise in half, then slice into thick, chunky pieces about 2cm wide and place in a pot.
Cut half an onion into quarters and separate the layers. Finely mash the shrimp paste with a knife.
Mix the mashed shrimp paste and soy sauce into the sliced zucchini and toss well. Let sit for 10 minutes without stirring.
Cut fresh shrimp into four pieces each and sprinkle with mirin to remove any fishy odor.
After 10 minutes, add the marinated shrimp, separated onion layers, and minced garlic to the zucchini pot. Stir-fry over medium heat for 2 minutes.
When the shrimp turn reddish, pour in 1/2 cup (100ml) of water, cover the pot, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 5 minutes until the liquid reduces slightly.
Turn off the heat when the sauce thickens, then drizzle in sesame oil and gently mix to infuse aroma.
Transfer the finished dish onto a wide plate, let cool completely for 20 minutes, then sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds just before serving.

Marinate thickly sliced zucchini with mashed shrimp paste and soy sauce for 10 minutes. Prepare onion and cut shrimp into bite-sized pieces.
Add the marinated zucchini, shrimp, onion, and minced garlic to a pot. Stir-fry for 2 minutes, then add water and cover. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Turn off heat, mix in sesame oil, spread on a wide bowl, cool completely, then sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds to finish.

Cooking tips

Pre-marinating zucchini in shrimp paste and soy sauce uses osmotic pressure to firm up the flesh, preventing it from falling apart during cooking.
If fresh shrimp is unavailable, thawed frozen cocktail shrimp works just as well—cost-effective and convenient.
Adding onion helps neutralize zucchini’s raw scent and greasiness while enhancing natural savoriness.
Leaving the dish in the pot after cooking causes it to soften due to residual heat. Always transfer it to a wide plate immediately to cool quickly and preserve crispness.

Recommended for

Those who struggle with zucchini turning mushy or breaking apart every time they stir-fry it.
People eager to enjoy a deeply savory, refreshing side dish made with shrimp paste and whole shrimp.
Those seeking a neat, refined Korean side dish perfect for parents or special guests.

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Kim Dae-seok's Shrimp and Zucchini Side Dish

Main ingredients 🥩

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Ingredients needed 🛒3 servings