🐟 White Shrimp Kakiage

With its characteristic topography and seawater of various different properties, Toyama Bay is rich in marine resources. Toyama is the only place in Japan that catches enough white shrimp ― a deep sea shrimp with a pale pink glow and the title of “Jewel of Toyama Bay” ― to be viable, with the primary fishing ports being Shinminato and Iwase. Alongside yellowtail and firefly squid, it is also recognized as a “Fish of Toyama Prefecture.” In the past, white shrimp were mostly dried with their shells and used as soup stock. However, advancements in freezing technology have made it easier to peel shrimp, as well as preserve its freshness, and so the flavor of white shrimp, with its thick texture and exquisite sweetness, has been revisited. White shrimp is popular as a topping for sushi and sashimi in restaurants, but “white shrimp kakiage” is quite popular in households. The deep-fried shrimp is crispy, fragrant, and holds a unique sweetness. White shrimp also have the distinction of not turning red when cooked, unlike other shrimp.