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This is a dish for seafood lovers who enjoy trying new flavor mixes. Southern Fried Shrimp Ramen combines both worlds: it’s a satisfying comfort bowl of ramen in the fashion of pan-fried Southern shrimp. Toss a soothing, warm bowl of noodles with bold Southern-style shrimp for a dish that’s sure to be unforgettable, yet relatively simple to prepare.
This fusion dish is perfect for weeknights, entertaining, or as an indulgent treat. Whether you are a devotee of ramen or just a lover of seafood, Southern Fried Shrimp Ramen combines both cuisines in a surprising yet delightful way.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ever had Southern fried shrimp? It’s a thing in itself. Juicy, full of flavor, and coated in a crispy golden shell, these are the kinds of shrimp you want when it comes to comfort food. With the delicacy of this dish as the topping, add the ramen-a savored meal by many due to its versatility, savory broth, and the nice slurp of noodles-and you’re looking at a meal that checks the comfort boxes.
- Quick & Easy: Perfect for those nights when you don’t have a lot of time available, but you still want something that tastes remarkably rich and gourmet.
- Flavorful: Hearty layers of deep, rich umami broth and bold Southern spices create a cozy yet exhilarating feel to this dish.
- Customizable: This recipe can easily be used as a springboard for your tastes; add more heat, change the toppings, or try other broths for a completely customized taste.
The Ingredients You’ll Need for Southern Fried Shrimp Ramen
Before I get in the kitchen and start cooking this dish up, make sure you have everything on this list to be able to bring together this tasty fusion of a dish. Though basic, these ingredients will play a vital role in making the ramen that’s balanced both in flavors and textures.
Fresh, Flavorful Shrimp: The Star of the Dish
The shrimp are certainly the stars of this dish due to their tender juicy bite following the fry if it is freshly operated. But you are still fine and will have superb outcomes if you are using frozen shrimp and remember to thaw and dry it before coating.
Find medium to large shrimp because they won’t get too soft by the frying, and they can be balanced well with the richness of the broth and noodles. If you can find divine shrimp, it is a good time to buy them, since they are left to save a little extra time.
Ramen Noodles: Soft, Slurp-Worthy Comfort
Fried shrimp go extremely well in this dish as the ramen noodles are versatile and soak in flavor so well. You can find ramen noodles anywhere in a grocery store and many have varieties to serve: traditional, gluten-free, whole wheat, and even flavored options.
On the type of noodle, just pick whatever you like, but I like the good fashioned ramen noodles because it gives the right textural contrast with the crunchiness of the shrimp.
Seasoning for the Shrimp: Southern Spices with an Asian Twist
The South flavors will come alive using the perfect mix of classic spices, including paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and a dash of cayenne pepper. These are standbys in Southern fried dishes: They really infuse bold flavors into shrimp.
But since the dish is ramen, we will finish it off with a dash of Asian-themed flavoring in the form of sesame oil and soy sauce to tie the flavor of the shrimp back in with the ramen.
Broth & Toppings: Elevate Your Ramen Experience with Bold Extras
This is when everything comes together with the broth: We’ll use a chicken or seafood broth as a base and it’ll soak the crunchy salty taste of the shrimp without overpowering it. To get this flavor to penetrate the broth, add soy sauce, ginger garlic, and a pinch of sugar to balance.
The fun part: toppings. There’s no limit to what you can put on top of this stuff. Soft-boiled eggs, scallions, nori-seaweed, sesame seeds, or an added dash of chili oil can really elevate your ramen to restaurant quality.
How to Make the Perfect Southern Fried Shrimp
Southern-fried shrimp are a lovely thing to the eye, that is: crispy on the outside, tender inside, full of flavor. And it’s a hell of a lot easier to get right than you might think.
Step-by-Step Guide to Crispy Shrimp Perfection
Step 1: Prepare Your Shrimp
Wash the shrimp, remove its gut and head if any with salt water, and remove guts if necessary. Pat the shrimp dry with an absorbent towel. Do that because you want it to stick.
Step 2: Coat the Shrimp
On a small plate, combine flour, cornstarch, and spice mixture: paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Dip shrimp evenly with equal parts so it can get well coated for that crunchier bite.
Double-dip the shrimp to have a crunchier crust. Dip the shrimp that have been coated into a bowl of your beaten eggs and then back into the flour mixture to have a thicker crust.
Step 3: Fry to Perfection
Pour 2-3 inches of oil and skim it to medium-high heat in a heavy-bottomed pan. This should come very close to 350 degrees F or 175 degrees C. A little space between shrimp is preferred when frying. You do not want to crowd the pan, about 2-3 minutes on each side. They are done when they are golden brown and crisp.
Transfer cooked shrimp to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Cooking the Ultimate Ramen Broth
The broth is the best basis for a fantastic ramen. It needs to be rich and deep and satisfying enough, so one wouldn’t need to go so far with the flavor that it’s overwhelming the noodles and shrimp.
Create a Rich, Flavor-Packed Broth for Your Noodles
For the ingredients, chop garlic and ginger into mince form and sauté in one tablespoon of sesame oil in a pan or cook over medium heat until fragrant slightly for about 1-2 minutes.
Add in your chicken or seafood broth. This is where your ramen is going to rest its case, so splurge with that. Add the soy sauce to the pot; sprinkle a small pinch of sugar and, if you want spicy broth, don’t forget a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
Simmer the broth over medium heat for 10-15 minutes or until the flavors all knit in.
Infuse Your Broth with Optional Spices
Put some depth with spices such as star anise, cloves, or cinnamon in it to make your broth truly special. Another Asian cuisine backbone from the backbone spice-spices, ready with a depth to add to your broth, you may now strain out the solids for a really rich and smooth liquid.
Bringing It All Together: Southern Fried Shrimp Meets Ramen

Now that the shrimp and broth are ready, it’s time to put your ramen together. Presentation and assembly are just as important as cooking; so let’s put all the pieces together in harmony.
How to Combine Shrimp & Ramen for the Perfect Bowl
- Cook Your Noodles: Boil those ramen noodles according to what is on the package. Not overcooked – still a bit of a bite to them, like al dente pasta.
- Assemble Your Bowl: Put a portion of noodles in each bowl and pour hot broth over them. Then gently stir to dress the noodles.
- Top with Fried Shrimp: And finally, the crowning glory of it all—your beautifully fried shrimp. Place them on top of the ramen for an appetizing presentation.
Toppings and Garnishes: Customize Your Ramen
You can get creative with your ramen with some of these inspired toppings. Here are just a few:
- Scallions: Adds light peppery flavor with a nice crunch.
- Soft-Boiled Eggs: Another great ramen add-on, the eggs should be cooked so that the yolks are set but still runny. Half and serve on top of the noodle dish.
- Nori (Seaweed): Deepens flavor with brininess and umami-richness that complements the shrimp so well.
- Sesame Seeds: Nice crunch and nuttiness.
- Chili Oil or Sriracha: If the heat-lover needs it, a little drizzle of chili oil or Sriracha is on top.
Check Out: Fish Chowder Recipe.
Pro Tips for the Best Southern Fried Shrimp Ramen
This recipe is no different. Read on for some pro tips that will make your Southern Fried Shrimp Ramen the best.
Adjusting Spice Levels for Heat Lovers
If you prefer spicy, then put in the amount of heat that you prefer. You can double up the cayenne in the shrimp bread or increase the chili flakes in the soup. You could even spice it when it is done by adding some hot sauce or sriracha.
How to Keep Shrimp Crispy in a Bowl of Hot Broth
A catch to adding deep-fried shrimp to the ramen is that they tend to mush too quickly. One way around this is adding the shrimp on top of your bowl of ramen just before you sit down to eat. Then, they won’t have a chance to be mushy before you gobble them up.
Creative Variations: Adding Vegetables or Experimenting with Ramen Flavors
For an entirely flipped version of this recipe, you add veggies like bok choy, mushrooms, or spinach to the broth to add more texture and nutrition. Other different ramen noodle flavors that you could try include miso or tonkotsu for a completely new take on that old classic.
Conclusion: A Dish That Will Wow Your Taste Buds
Southern Fried Shrimp Ramen at first glance appears to be the best of both worlds. The dish gathers the best from the South and Asia into a tempting bowl. Cooking it for yourself, for your family, or guests, this dish will definitely surprise you with its striking flavors of crunchy shrimp and comfortable broth.
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FAQs About Southern Fried Shrimp Ramen
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, and as for the shrimp, it may be either frozen shrimp. The only requirement when you use those meats is that you thaw them just enough and pat dry so that when you cover them with the breading mixture they form a crisp outside.
How do I keep the shrimp crispy when adding them to the ramen?
You do not want to overdo it with the broth to make the shrimp soggy. Add them on top of the ramen just before serving.
Can I make this dish gluten-free?
Absolutely! Gluten-free ramen noodles should also be used. Soy sauce commonly comes in a normal version along with one that is gluten-free, so make sure you use the right one, and the same goes for your seasonings.
The perfect fusion of flavors!
Happy cooking, and thank you for visiting!