Longjing Shrimp (Dragon Well Shrimp)
龙井虾仁
Hangzhou's elegant stir-fry — plump shrimp with Dragon Well green tea leaves. Delicate, fragrant, and uniquely Zhejiang.
📋 Ingredients
What Is Longjing Shrimp (Dragon Well Shrimp)?
💡 Ingredient Notes: Longjing Shrimp (龙井虾仁, lóng jǐng xiā rén) is one of Hangzhou's most refined dishes — fresh shrimp quickly stir-fried with Dragon Well (Longjing) green tea leaves. The tea imparts a delicate, fragrant, slightly sweet aroma that elevates the sweet shrimp. Named after Hangzhou's famous Longjing tea, this dish dates back to the Qing dynasty when Emperor Qianlong supposedly mixed his tea leaves into a shrimp dish by accident. The result is elegant, pure, and uniquely Zhejiang — a celebration of the region's two best products: West Lake shrimp and Dragon Well tea.
Ingredients You'll Need
The Shrimp
- 400g (¾ lb) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 egg white
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp Shaoxing wine
The Tea
- 1 tbsp Longjing (Dragon Well) tea leaves
- 3 tbsp hot water (80°C/175°F)
Cooking
- 3 tbsp cooking oil
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
📝 Instructions
Brew the tea
Steep the Longjing tea leaves in hot water (80°C, not boiling) for 3 minutes. Strain and save both the tea liquid and the leaves separately.
Velvet the shrimp
Toss shrimp with egg white, cornstarch, salt, and Shaoxing wine. This 'velveting' technique gives the shrimp that silky restaurant texture. Let sit 10 minutes.
Stir-fry quickly
Heat oil in a wok over medium heat. Add the shrimp and stir-fry for 30 seconds until they just start to curl and turn pink. Remove immediately.
Add tea and finish
Add the tea liquid, tea leaves, salt, and sugar to the wok. Return the shrimp. Toss for 15 seconds — just enough to coat. Serve immediately.
💡 Pro Tips
- 💡Use real Longjing tea if possible — the flavor is unique. Substitute with any high-quality green tea.
- 💡Don't overcook the shrimp — 30-45 seconds total. They continue cooking in residual heat.
- 💡The tea leaves are eaten — they're tender and flavorful, not bitter.
📊 Nutrition Facts
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I get Longjing tea? Tea shops, Chinese grocery stores, or online. Any good-quality green tea works as a substitute.
Why is this dish so simple? That's the point — Zhejiang cuisine celebrates pure, fresh ingredients with minimal intervention. The tea does the heavy lifting.
