
Korean Sea Breeze Herb Shrimp Stir-fry
Bangpungnamul saeu bokkeum is a Korean stir-fry that pairs coastal hogfennel herb with medium-sized shrimp in a quick, high-heat preparation. The shrimp are briefly marinated in cooking wine to neutralize any off-flavors, then seared in oil and set aside. Minced garlic is sauteed in the same pan before adding the herb and sliced red chili, which are tossed rapidly over high heat to retain their texture. Soy sauce and sesame oil provide the seasoning, and the shrimp are returned to the pan for a final toss. The herb's slightly bitter edge contrasts with the natural sweetness of the shrimp, creating a balanced flavor without heavy sauce. The dish finishes in under nine minutes and is low in calories, making it a light banchan option.
Adjust Servings
Instructions
- 1
Peel and devein shrimp, then season with cooking wine and garlic for 5 minutes.
- 2
Trim tough stems of sea breeze herb and cut into 5 cm pieces.
- 3
Heat oil and stir-fry green onion and red chili for 30 seconds.
- 4
Add shrimp and cook over medium heat for about 2.5 minutes until half done.
- 5
Add soy sauce and herbs, then toss quickly for 1.5 minutes.
- 6
Turn off heat and mix in sesame oil to finish.
As an Amazon Associate, we may earn from qualifying purchases.
Tips
Nutrition (per serving)
More Recipes

Korean Kollabi Saeu Bokkeum (Kohlrabi Shrimp Stir-fry)
Kolrabi saeu bokkeum is a quick stir-fry of peeled shrimp marinated in cooking wine and julienned kohlrabi, cooked over high heat in garlic-infused oil and seasoned with soy sauce and oyster sauce. Spreading the shrimp in a single layer is key to achieving a bouncy texture, and the kohlrabi must be pulled from the heat while still crisp. Red bell pepper adds color contrast, and the oyster sauce amplifies the shrimp's natural sweetness. Scallion and sesame oil finish the dish, which is notably low in calories for a protein-forward stir-fry.

Korean Seaweed Stem & Shrimp Stir-fry
Miyeokjulgi-deulkkae-saeu-bokkeum combines desalted seaweed stems and medium shrimp, stir-fried in perilla oil and finished with a generous coating of perilla seed powder. The seaweed stems are soaked for ten minutes to reduce saltiness, then cut into 5 cm pieces that retain a distinctive chewy-crunchy bite - a textural contrast to the springy shrimp. Onion and garlic are sauteed first to establish a sweet base, and soup soy sauce provides the only salt. Perilla powder goes in at the very end so its nutty aroma stays intact through serving.

Korean Stir-fried Chives and Shrimp
Deveined shrimp are dried thoroughly and seared over high heat until their shells turn pink, then tossed briefly with garlic chives for a stir-fry that takes under ten minutes from cutting board to plate. Removing every trace of surface moisture before the shrimp hit the pan is the single most important step; residual water generates steam and turns the sear into a braise, leaving the shrimp pale and soft instead of lightly caramelized. Sliced garlic goes into the oil first to build an aromatic base that clings to every ingredient. One tablespoon of soy sauce paired with a teaspoon of oyster sauce amplifies the natural seafood umami without tipping the dish into excessive saltiness, and black pepper sharpens the finish. The chives must go in last and cook for no more than sixty seconds; any longer and they lose their vivid color and turn stringy. At 220 calories with 26 grams of protein per serving, this dish fills the role of a satisfying yet light side that pairs well with steamed rice or slides neatly into a packed lunch.

Korean Napa Cabbage Shrimp Stir-fry
Baechu saeu bokkeum is a Korean stir-fry of napa cabbage and medium shrimp seasoned with soy sauce and fish sauce. The shrimp are deveined and scored along the back so they curl attractively and absorb seasoning more readily. They go into a hot oiled pan first for thirty seconds to sear the surface, then are removed while the cabbage stems are stir-fried until slightly wilted. Soy sauce, fish sauce, and minced garlic are added along with the cabbage leaves, and the shrimp return to the pan for a final thirty-second toss so everything seasons evenly. Sliced cheongyang chili and scallion go in last for a hit of heat and freshness. The entire stir-fry stays under three to four minutes of active cooking, which preserves the crunch of the cabbage stems and the firm bite of the shrimp. The combination of soy sauce and fish sauce provides a layered saltiness that brings out the natural sweetness of both the cabbage and the shrimp.

Korean Stir-fried Dried Shrimp
Geon-saeu-bokkeum transforms a handful of dried shrimp - a Korean pantry staple - into a quick, crunchy banchan. The shrimp are dry-toasted in a pan first to drive off residual moisture, intensifying their briny aroma and setting up the crisp texture. Soy sauce, rice syrup or oligosaccharide, and garlic are added and reduced over low heat until the shrimp are coated in a thin, glossy sweet-salty glaze. The timing is critical: the moment the syrup bubbles once, the heat must drop, or the coating hardens into a tooth-breaking shell. A finish of sesame oil and sesame seeds rounds out this compact side dish that works equally well in lunchboxes and as a drinking snack.

Korean Saeu Herb Sogeum Gui (Herb Salt Grilled Shrimp)
Saeu herb-sogeum-gui is Korean herb-salt grilled shrimp, where shell-on medium shrimp are deveined, tossed with olive oil, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, and black pepper for ten minutes, then seared over high heat on a grill pan lined with a thin layer of coarse salt. Keeping the shells on prevents moisture loss during the intense heat, so the flesh stays moist while the shells themselves crisp into an edible, crunchy layer. Grilling on a salt bed distributes radiant heat evenly and draws surface moisture away from the shrimp, preventing the steaming effect that makes shellfish soggy. A finishing squeeze of lemon juice lifts the herb and garlic aromas while sharpening the shrimp's natural sweetness.