This Singapore Cereal Shrimp delivers a delightful crunch with every bite! Quick to make and bursting with flavor, it's a taste of Singapore you can enjoy right at home.

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I first encountered Singapore Cereal Prawn (Mai Pian Xia) at Keng Eng Kee in Bukit Merah, and it quickly became one of my favorite dishes to order when dining out. I don't know if they had a Michelin star back then, but the taste was unforgettable.
In any restaurant, ordering seafood can be pricey, so I learned how to make seafood dishes at home like our favorite Hawaiian Spicy Shrimp. I'm excited to share another delicious seafood recipe with you!
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Why You'll Love This?
- Authentic Flavor: This captures the authentic taste of the beloved Singaporean dish, bringing the rich and savory flavors right to your kitchen.
- Cost-Effective: Making this dish at home is much more affordable than ordering seafood at restaurants.
- Easy to Make: Despite its gourmet taste, this dish is straightforward and easy to follow, allowing you to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal without the hassle.
What's the Difference Between a Prawn and a Shrimp?
Shrimp and prawns are close cousins, but there are some key differences:
- Size: Prawns are generally bigger than shrimp. Think jumbo shrimp? That's probably a prawn!
- Claws: Prawns have three pairs of legs with claws, while shrimp only have one pair.
- Body shape: Shrimp have a more curved, flexible body, while prawns have a straighter, stiffer body.
For most recipes, though, shrimp and prawns can be used interchangeably. The taste is very similar! Use whichever is readily available!

Ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make these Singapore Cereal Shrimp:

Fried Shrimp
- Large/ Jumbo Shrimp or Prawn
- Egg
- Corn Flour/ Cornstarch
- Cooking Oil
Cereal Mixture
- Nestum Multi-Grain Cereal (or any instant cereal flakes)
- Powdered/ Confectioner's Sugar or White Sugar
- Milk Powder
- Beef powder or crumbled beef bouillon

Others
- Salted Butter
- Garlic
- Sprig Curry leaves
- Bird's eye Chilies

See recipe card for quantities.
How to Cook Cereal Butter Shrimp?

- In a bowl, combine the prawns, egg white, salt, and white pepper.

- Place the prawns in a bowl of cornstarch and roll them around to coat. Then, tap the bowl gently to remove any extra cornstarch.

- Heat enough oil in a wok or deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, deep fry the prawns until they turn golden and are cooked through. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to overcook them. Remove the prawns and drain on paper towels. Set aside.

- Prepare the cereal mixture.

- In a clean wok or large pan, melt the butter with the cooking oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, curry leaves, and bird's eye chilies (if using). Stir-fry until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Add the Nestum cereal, milk powder, sugar, and salt. Stir continuously and toast the cereal mixture until it turns golden brown and crispy. This should take about 3-4 minutes.

- Add the fried prawns back into the wok with the cereal mixture. Toss everything together, ensuring the prawns are well coated with the cereal mixture and serve your Singapore Cereal Shrimp while hot and crispy!
Variations
- Cereal Chicken: Swap out shrimp for chicken breast or thighs, coated in the same crispy cereal mixture for a hearty, kid-friendly twist.
- Cereal Fish Fillet: Use firm white fish like cod or halibut instead of shrimp, creating a flaky, delicate alternative with the same addictive crunch.
- Spicy Cereal Shrimp: Add chopped chili padi (bird's eye chili) or extra chili flakes for a fiery version that packs heat along with the signature crunch.
- Cereal Tofu: For a vegetarian option, use tofu cubes, frying them until crispy before tossing them in the buttery cereal mixture for a plant-based delight.
- Cereal Prawns with Salted Egg: Combine the popular salted egg yolk sauce with the cereal topping to create a richer, more indulgent flavor combination with the shrimp.
What to Serve with This?
- Steamed Jasmine Rice: The simplicity of steamed rice pairs perfectly with the rich, buttery cereal shrimp, soaking up all the flavors for a satisfying meal.
- Stir Fried Green Beans: A side of stir-fried green beans with garlic offers a refreshing, light contrast to the rich and savory shrimp dish.
- Fried Mantou (Chinese Buns): These crispy buns are perfect for scooping up the buttery cereal crumbs and adding an extra layer of crunch to the meal.
- Chili Garlic Oil: Adds a delightful spice enhancing the flavor even more.
- Egg Fried Rice: Serve your cereal shrimp with egg fried rice for a heartier option, complementing the dish with fluffy, flavorful rice mixed with scrambled eggs and veggies.
- Garlic Noodles: Toss together buttery garlic noodles for a rich and flavorful pairing that complements the crunchy shrimp perfectly.
Top Tip
- Adjust the amount of bird's eye chilies according to your heat preference.
- Nestum cereal is the preferred cereal for this dish, but you can substitute with other brands of instant cereal flakes if necessary.
- Ensure the prawns are well-drained after frying to keep the dish from becoming too oily.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
To store Singapore Cereal Shrimp, place the cooled prawns in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. To reheat, spread the prawns on a baking sheet and warm in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 10 minutes to retain their crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it can make the cereal coating soggy.
Recipe FAQs
The exact inventor of cereal prawns is unknown, but the dish is believed to have originated in Singapore or Malaysia. It likely emerged from chefs or home cooks experimenting with local ingredients, combining crispy Nestum cereal with prawns and aromatic seasonings. Over time, it has become a popular dish in both cuisines.
Yes, you can substitute prawns with chicken, tofu, squid, or a mix of vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, and bell peppers.
Yes, you can increase the heat by adding more bird's eye chilies or incorporating chili powder or cayenne pepper into the cereal mixture.
You can use instant oats, crushed cornflakes, or panko breadcrumbs as substitutes for Nestum cereal.
Yes, you can use firm tofu or a mix of vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, and bell peppers for a vegetarian version.
To prevent sogginess, reheat the prawns in an oven rather than a microwave, which helps retain their crispiness.
Yes, if you do not have milk powder, you can either omit it or use non-dairy creamer powder or coconut milk powder as substitutes.
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Recipe

Singapore Cereal Shrimp
Equipment
- 1 frying pan or wok
Ingredients
Fried Shrimp
- 700 grams large shrimp
- 1 whole egg or egg whites
- ½ cup cornstarch or corn flour
- 1 cup cooking oil
- salt and white pepper
Cereal Mix
- ¾ cup Nestum Cereal
- 1 teaspoon powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoon Milk Powder
- 1 teaspoon beef powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
Others
- ½ cup butter
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 stalk curry leaves
- 2 tablespoon avocado oil or any neutral oil
- 3 pieces bird's eye chili
Instructions
Fry the Shrimps
- In a bowl, combine the shrimp, egg white, salt, and white pepper.
- Place the shrimps in a bowl of cornstarch and roll them around to coat. Then, tap the bowl gently to remove any extra cornstarch.
- Heat enough oil in a wok or deep frying pan over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is hot, deep fry the shrimps until they turn golden and are cooked through. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to overcook them.
- Remove the shrimps and drain on paper towels. Set aside.
Prepare the Cereal Mixture
- In a clean wok or large pan, melt the butter with the cooking oil over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic, curry leaves, and bird's eye chilies (if using). Stir-fry until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add the Nestum cereal, milk powder, sugar, and salt. Stir continuously and toast the cereal mixture until it turns golden brown and crispy. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
Combine Shrimp with Cereal Mixture
- Add the fried prawn or shrimp back into the wok with the cereal mixture.
- Toss everything together, ensuring the shrimps are well coated with the cereal mixture.
- Stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes to combine the flavors.
Serve
- Transfer the cereal prawns to a serving plate.
- Garnish with extra curry leaves and sliced chilies if desired.
- Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
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Notes
- Adjust the amount of bird's eye chilies according to your heat preference.
- Nestum cereal is the preferred cereal for this dish, but you can substitute with other brands of instant cereal flakes if necessary.
- Ensure the prawns are well-drained after frying to keep the dish from becoming too oily.
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