Vietnamese Shrimp Cakes are crispy, golden patties made with fresh shrimp, garlic, and herbs. These savory cakes are shallow-fried to perfection and often served with a tangy dipping sauce. The combination of crispy texture and tender shrimp, along with the fresh Vietnamese flavors, makes this dish an irresistible appetizer or snack.

Vietnamese Shrimp Cakes Recipe
Golden, crispy shrimp cakes made with fresh shrimp, garlic, cilantro, and fish sauce. Served with a tangy dipping sauce, these savory cakes are perfect as an appetizer or snack.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Chop the shrimp into small pieces and place them in a mixing bowl.
- Add rice flour, fish sauce, garlic, cilantro, sugar, salt, and pepper to the chopped shrimp. Mix until well combined.
- Form the mixture into small patties, about 2 inches in diameter.
- Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the shrimp cakes to the skillet. Fry for 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. Remove from the skillet and drain on a paper towel.
- In a small bowl, combine fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, chopped chili, and garlic. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Serve the shrimp cakes hot with the dipping sauce on the side.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in a skillet to restore crispiness.
- Variation: You can add finely chopped vegetables like carrots or bell peppers for added texture and color.
- Safety Tips: Be careful when frying the shrimp cakes; ensure the oil is at the right temperature to avoid greasy cakes.

