Singapore cereal shrimp (also called butter prawns or mai pian xia) is a beloved zi char dish featuring crispy fried shrimp coated in buttery Nestum cereal, curry leaves, and chili. This easy recipe recreates the addictive restaurant version in just 30 minutes—with that signature crunch that stays crispy for hours.
If you love crispy seafood, you'll also want to try my Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp and Cereal Butter Tofu.
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I first tasted cereal butter prawns at Keng Eng Kee in Bukit Merah, Singapore, and it instantly became my favorite zi char dish. The combination of plump, juicy shrimp enveloped in sweet, buttery, fragrant cereal was unlike anything I'd tried before. Every bite delivered that perfect crunch, followed by a burst of curry leaf aroma and a subtle kick from bird's eye chili.
Here's the thing about cereal prawns: it's the kind of dish that makes you pick at the crispy cereal bits long after the shrimp is gone. It's addictive in the best way—sweet, savory, buttery, and impossibly crunchy.
Since ordering seafood at restaurants can get expensive, I learned to make this Singapore specialty at home. The secret? Nestum cereal (not cornflakes!), quality shrimp, and a hot wok. This recipe delivers authentic zi char flavor without the restaurant price tag.
Jump to:
- What is Zi Char?
- Why You'll Love This Singapore Cereal Shrimp Recipe
- Singapore Cereal Shrimp Ingredients (What You'll Need)
- How to Make Cereal Butter Shrimp (Step by Step)
- Common Mistakes When Making Cereal Shrimp
- Variations
- What to Serve with This
- Recipe FAQs
- More Asian Favorites
- Recipe
- Easy Singapore Cereal Shrimp (Butter Prawn)
What is Zi Char?
Zi char (sometimes spelled "tze char") is a style of Chinese home-style cooking popular in Singapore and Malaysia. The term comes from the Hokkien dialect meaning "cook and fry," referring to dishes prepared quickly in a hot wok with intense heat.
Zi char restaurants are casual eateries where families and friends gather to share multiple dishes. The menus are extensive—often spanning several pages—featuring everything from sweet and sour pork to black pepper crab to cereal prawns. It's communal dining at its finest.
What makes zi char special is the "wok hei" or "breath of the wok"—that smoky, slightly charred flavor that only comes from cooking over extremely high heat. Cereal prawns is one of the most popular zi char dishes, alongside classics like Thai Basil Chicken, sambal kangkong, and salted egg squid.
Why You'll Love This Singapore Cereal Shrimp Recipe
- 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.
Singapore Cereal Shrimp Ingredients (What You'll Need)
Fried Shrimp
- Large/ Jumbo Shrimp or Prawn. ostco shrimp totally works. Head-on looks extra fancy, but head-off is way easier to eat.
- Egg white - helps the cornstarch stick so you get that light, crispy shell.
- Cornstarch (aka corn flour in some countries) – the secret to that crunchy, not-bready coating.
- Neutral cooking oil – vegetable, canola, or peanut oil. You want something that can handle frying without smoking.
Cereal Mixture
- Nestum Multi-Grain Cereal - the classic for Singapore cereal shrimp. You want instant cereal flakes, not granola.
- Powdered/ Confectioner's Sugar or White Sugar - adds that signature sweet-savory vibe. Powdered melts fast; white sugar gives a tiny bit more crunch.
- Milk Powder - makes the coating taste creamy and “buttery” even before the butter shows up.
- Beef powder or crumbled beef bouillon – the salty umami boost that makes the cereal topping taste like restaurant-style zi char.
⚠️ Don't use: Regular rolled oats, granola, or sugary cereals like Frosted Flakes—they don't work!
Others
- Salted Butter
- Garlic
- Sprig Curry leaves
- Bird's eye Chilies – optional but excellent
See recipe card for quantities.
Easy Swaps & Add-Ins
- No Nestum? Use plain instant cereal flakes
- No curry leaves? Add extra garlic + a pinch of curry powder
- Want it spicy? Add chili flakes or more bird’s eye chilies
How to Make Cereal Butter Shrimp (Step by Step)
- 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!
Common Mistakes When Making Cereal Shrimp
Even though this recipe is straightforward, here are mistakes that can ruin your cereal shrimp:
- Using the wrong cereal Don't substitute with cornflakes, granola, or rolled oats. They won't give you that authentic texture and flavor. Nestum cereal or instant oatmeal cereal are your best bets.
- Overcrowding the pan when frying Fry shrimp in batches! Overcrowding lowers the oil temperature, resulting in greasy, soggy shrimp instead of crispy golden perfection. Give each piece space.
- Burning the cereal Once you add Nestum to the butter, it toasts FAST—in about 2-3 minutes. Watch it carefully and stir constantly. Burnt cereal tastes bitter.
- Adding shrimp too early Make sure your cereal mixture is golden and toasted before adding the fried shrimp. The shrimp only needs 1-2 minutes to get coated—any longer and you'll overcook them.
- Not drying the shrimp Pat shrimp completely dry with paper towels before coating in cornstarch. Water = splattering oil + coating won't stick properly.
- Skipping curry leaves Yes, they can be hard to find, but curry leaves are ESSENTIAL for authentic flavor. Order them online if your grocery store doesn't carry them. Don't skip this ingredient!
- Serving too late Cereal shrimp is best eaten immediately while the coating is at peak crispiness. Unlike other dishes, this one doesn't sit well—serve it straight from the wok!
Variations
- Cereal Chicken: Try this method with my Crispy Chicken Karaage.
- 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.
- Homemade 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.
- 15- Minutes Garlic Noodles: Toss together buttery garlic noodles for a rich and flavorful pairing that complements the crunchy shrimp perfectly.
- Asian Pickled Vegetables: Tangy pickles cut through the richness of the flavor.
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 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.
You can find Nestum cereal at Asian grocery stores (like H Mart, 99 Ranch, or local Asian markets), on Amazon, or at some international sections of Walmart or Target.
Cereal shrimp stays at peak crispiness for about 1-2 hours after cooking if left at room temperature. The cereal coating will gradually soften as it sits, which is why this dish is best served immediately. Reheating in an oven (not microwave) can restore some crispiness.
More Asian Favorites
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Recipe
Easy Singapore Cereal Shrimp (Butter Prawn)
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.700 grams large shrimp, 1 whole egg, 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.½ cup cornstarch or corn flour
- Heat enough oil in a wok or deep frying pan over medium-high heat.1 cup cooking oil
- 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.½ cup butter, 2 tablespoon avocado oil
- Add the minced garlic, curry leaves, and bird's eye chilies (if using). Stir-fry until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.3 cloves garlic, 1 stalk curry leaves, 3 pieces bird's eye chili
- Add the Nestum cereal, milk powder, beef 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.¾ cup Nestum Cereal, 1 teaspoon powdered sugar, 2 tablespoon Milk Powder, 1 teaspoon beef powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon white pepper
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
- Use dry shrimp: Pat the shrimp very dry before coating. Moisture = soggy cereal.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp: They only need 2–3 minutes. Overcooked shrimp turn rubbery fast.
- Shake off extra cornstarch: A light coating keeps the shrimp crisp, not gummy.
- Toast the cereal gently: Medium heat and constant stirring prevent burning.
- Drain before tossing: Let fried shrimp sit on paper towels for a minute so oil doesn’t soak into the cereal.
- Nestum matters: Instant cereal flakes work, but Nestum gives the most authentic flavor and crunch.
- Milk powder is optional: Skip it if needed, but it adds that classic creamy, zi char-style taste.
- Best served immediately: This dish is at its crunchiest right after tossing.
Thank you for your feedback 😊