The Indescribable Elegance of Asian Shrimp Chips

Gaze upon prettily hued krupuk, the popular Southeast Asian snack, as they billow into puffy chips before your very eyes. So beautiful! So elegant! We want to stuff our faces with them in a not-so-dainty way.

But first, what are krupuk? You’ve probably heard of them as “shrimp chips” or “prawn chips,” which they’re called interchangeably (regardless of the difference between the two). The chips are popular in countries including Indonesia and Malaysia, where they often come packaged for sale as thin, tiny discs of uncooked dough. To attain puffed, crispy perfection, fry the doughy pieces in a vat of shimmering oil, as the Saveur video above demonstrates.

Krupuk generally refers to the crackers made from mashed prawns—which taste slightly oceanic, sweet, and boast a creamy-and-crunchy texture—but it can also refer to flavors such as fish, peanut, and more. Your local Asian markets will probably have some, but you can also find the dough online.

Go forth and fry!