STEAMED GARLIC SHRIMP WITH VERMICELLI
If you’re in the mood for something delicious, light, and packed with flavor, you’re in for a treat with this classic Chinese shrimp and vermicelli dish!
This Steamed Garlic Shrimp With Vermicelli is a well-loved recipe in many Chinese households and restaurants alike. The combination of juicy, tender shrimp with garlicky, saucy vermicelli makes this dish an instant comfort meal—plus, arranging the shrimp in a circle over the noodles gives it a beautifully impressive look that feels straight out of a restaurant.
The best part about this dish is that it comes together in just a few steps and uses very simple ingredients. I love how the soy sauce, garlic, and chili combo gives it a spicy kick while balancing all those umami flavors. Plus, steaming everything together on a bed of vermicelli makes the noodles soak up all the savory sauce, so you get flavor in every bite.
Serve it up with a bowl of warm rice, garnish with a sprinkle of green onions, and you’re all set for a cozy meal that’s satisfying and packed with protein. This one’s bound to become a regular in your recipe rotation!

MAIN INGREDIENTS FOR STEAMED GARLIC SHRIMP WITH VERMICELLI
Large or X-large raw, headless shrimps – These make a perfect fit for this dish. Using larger shrimp gives you that juicy, meaty bite, and leaving the tails on adds both a nice touch of flavor and a restaurant-worthy look. Plus, larger shrimp stay tender and are harder to overcook, so they’re ideal for steaming.
Mung Bean Vermicelli (Glass Noodles) – These transparent noodles, often used in East Asian cooking, have a mild flavor and take on the rich garlic sauce beautifully. When they’re steamed with the shrimp, the noodles absorb the juices, making every bite satisfyingly flavorful. They also have a light, springy texture that pairs wonderfully with the tender shrimp.
Garlic – Fresh garlic is essential to the flavor of this dish, lending an aromatic intensity that complements the subtle sweetness of the shrimp. When minced and combined with sizzling oil, it releases an inviting fragrance and infuses the sauce with that classic garlicky warmth that balances the dish perfectly.
COOKING INSTRUCTIONS FOR STEAMED GARLIC SHRIMP WITH VERMICELLI
Prepare the Vermicelli
- Prepare the vermicelli by soaking it in hot water for about 10 minutes until they are soft.
- Once softened, drain the vermicelli and cut them into shorter pieces with a pair of kitchen scissors.
Prepare the Sauce
- In the meantime, add minced garlic and chopped chili peppers to a bowl and pour 1-2 tablespoons of hot sizzling oil over the garlic and chili pepper.
- Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, salt, and sugar. Mix until everything is well combined.
Arrange the Ingredients
- Place the prepared vermicelli on a plate, make sure to spread them out evenly.
- Arrange the shrimp on top of the vermicelli in a circular pattern. Make sure to leave a small gap in between each shrimp.
- Evenly spread the prepared sauce on top of the shrimp and the vermicelli in between the gaps.
Steam the Shrimp and Vermicelli
- Add 2-3 cups of water in a steamer pot and bring it to a boil.
- Carefully place the plate on the steamer rack.
- Cover the pot and steam for 6-7 minutes over medium heat, until the shrimps are fully cooked.
Garnish & Serve
- Remove dish from heat once done, garnish with chopped green onion on top.
- Serve warm with a bowl of white rice. Enjoy!


Steamed Garlic Shrimp with Vermicelli
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 15 Large or X-large raw headless shrimps
- 2-3 oz glass noodles or mung bean vermicelli
Sauce Ingredients:
- 8 cloves garlic - minced
- 2 tsp chopped red chili pepper
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 pinch sugar
- 1 green onion - chopped
- 1-2 tbsp oil - hot sizzling
Instructions
- Prepare the vermicelli by soaking it in hot water for about 10 minutes until they are soft. Once softened, drain the vermicelli and cut them into shorter pieces with a pair of kitchen scissors.
- In the meantime, add minced garlic, chopped green onions, and chopped chili peppers to a bowl and pour 1-2 tablespoons of hot sizzling oil over the garlic and chili pepper. Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, salt, and sugar. Mix until everything is well combined.
- Place the prepared vermicelli on a plate, make sure to spread them out evenly.
- Arrange the shrimp on top of the vermicelli in a circular pattern. Make sure to leave a small gap in between each shrimp. Evenly spread the prepared sauce on top of the shrimp and the vermicelli in between the gaps.
- Add 2-3 cups of water in a steamer pot and bring it to a boil. Carefully place the plate on the steamer rack. Cover the pot and steam for 6-7 minutes over medium heat, until the shrimps are fully cooked.
- Remove dish from heat once done, garnish with chopped green onion on top. Serve warm with a bowl of white rice. Enjoy!