🐟 Seafood

Vegan Shrimp Paste Substitute: for Asian Cooking Guide

Discover the best vegan substitutes for shrimp paste in Asian cooking including kimchi, curry pastes, and stir-fries. Find plant-based alternatives that provide umami flavor.

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Quick Answer

The best vegan substitutes for shrimp paste are miso paste, seaweed, or nutritional yeast. Miso paste provides the most similar umami flavor, while seaweed adds oceanic depth.

Best Substitutes

Miso Paste

1:1

Miso paste provides fermented umami flavor similar to shrimp paste. Use white or yellow miso for milder flavor that won't overpower the dish.

Best for:

kimchicurry pastesstir-friessoups

Use white or yellow miso for milder flavor

Seaweed (Nori or Kombu)

1 sheet per 1 tablespoon shrimp paste

Seaweed provides oceanic flavor and umami depth similar to shrimp paste. Toast and crumble for best results.

Best for:

kimchisoupsstir-friesrice dishes

Toast and crumble for best flavor

Nutritional Yeast

1 tablespoon per 1 tablespoon shrimp paste

Nutritional yeast provides cheesy, umami flavor that can mimic the depth of shrimp paste. Add gradually to taste.

Best for:

kimchicurry pastessaucesmarinades

Add gradually to taste

Dried Mushroom Powder

1 tablespoon per 1 tablespoon shrimp paste

Dried mushroom powder provides concentrated umami flavor similar to shrimp paste. Grind dried shiitake or porcini mushrooms into fine powder.

Best for:

kimchicurry pastessoupsstir-fries

Grind dried mushrooms into fine powder

Soy Sauce + Sugar

2:1 (soy sauce to sugar)

Soy sauce provides salty umami flavor while sugar adds sweetness. This combination can mimic the flavor profile of shrimp paste.

Best for:

kimchistir-friessaucesmarinades

Mix soy sauce with sugar to taste

Cooking Tips

  • 💡Toast seaweed before crumbling for enhanced flavor
  • 💡Add miso paste early in cooking to develop flavor
  • 💡Use nutritional yeast sparingly as it can be overpowering
  • 💡Grind dried mushrooms into fine powder for best results
  • 💡Add soy sauce and sugar gradually to taste
  • 💡Store substitutes in the refrigerator for freshness

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best vegan substitute for shrimp paste in kimchi?

Miso paste is the best vegan substitute for shrimp paste in kimchi. It provides similar fermented umami flavor and works well in the fermentation process.

Can I use seaweed instead of shrimp paste?

Yes, seaweed works well as a vegan substitute. Toast nori or kombu, then crumble and add to dishes for oceanic flavor and umami depth.

How do I make vegan shrimp paste for Thai curry?

Use miso paste or dried mushroom powder. Add early in the cooking process to develop flavor and provide umami depth.

Is nutritional yeast a good substitute for shrimp paste?

Nutritional yeast can work as a substitute, but it has a different flavor profile. Use it sparingly and combine with other umami ingredients for best results.

Can I use soy sauce instead of shrimp paste?

Yes, but add sugar to balance the saltiness. Use a 2:1 ratio of soy sauce to sugar for best flavor balance.

Summary

Find the best vegan substitutes for shrimp paste in Asian cooking including kimchi, curry pastes, and stir-fries. Discover plant-based alternatives that provide umami flavor.