Dry goods & condiments

Dried Shrimp

Dehydrated small shrimp, usually orange-red, pink-orange or light brown with a recognisable curved shrimp form; it is crustacean seafood.

3 identity clues

Reading language:

Names in other languages

Name in Cantonese (Jyutping): haa1 mai5

Dehydrated small shrimp, usually orange-red, pink-orange or light brown with a recognisable curved shrimp form; it is crustacean seafood.

Look for small curved bodies with segments or shrimp fibres. Colour varies by species and processing, so brightness alone is not a quality test.

This item

Compare

How to identify it

蝦米 shows small curved shrimp bodies; 瑤柱 is usually round/cylindrical or separates into long fibres.

Used in soups, steamed dishes, stir-fries, turnip cake, rice and noodles.

Rinse or soak according to the label and recipe. Use or discard soaking liquid as the recipe directs, then cook the shrimp thoroughly.

Seal and keep cool or refrigerated as the label states; protect carefully from humidity after opening.

Dried shrimp keeps a small curved shrimp shape; dried scallop is rounder and fibrous. Anyone with crustacean allergy must avoid it.

買蝦米，細細隻乾蝦嗰種。

Buy small dried shrimp, not the larger round fibrous dried scallop.

唔該要蝦米，呢包係咪要雪藏？

Meaning: Dried shrimp, please. Does this pack need to be kept cold?

Last reviewed: 2026-08-22

Sources (3)