Today we’re making Japanese-style garlic shrimp pasta—a light, flavorful, and nutritious dish that’s surprisingly easy to make at home. Unlike the heavy red or white sauces we usually see, this version is refreshing, full of umami, and perfectly balanced.

Each bite gives the garlicky aroma, sweet shrimp flavor, and a hint of subtle Japanese sweetness and soy sauce. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner at home, and we’ll walk through every step so it’s easy to follow.

Ingredients for Two Servings

- Long pasta: 200g

- Tiger shrimp: 16 pieces (about 200–250g)

- Green onions: 2 stalks

- Garlic cloves: 6

- Dried chili: 2

- Olive oil: 2–3 tbsp

- Japanese rice seasoning (or sweet rice seasoning): 4 tbsp

- Sweet rice seasoning (or light soy syrup): 2 tbsp

- Soy sauce: 1 tsp

- Salt: 1 tsp (adjust to taste)

- Black pepper: 1/4 tsp (adjust to taste)

- Optional: small bowl of pasta cooking water (~1/2 cup)

Step 1: Preparing the Shrimp

1. Wash the tiger shrimp thoroughly.

2. Remove the heads but keep the tails intact for presentation.

3. Peel the shell halfway along the shrimp body.

4. Use a toothpick to remove the vein along the shrimp’s back.

5. Set the shrimp aside on a plate for later use.

Tip: Keeping the heads gives a richer shrimp flavor when cooking the sauce.

Step 2: Preparing Aromatics

1. Wash the green onions, then separate the white parts from the green parts. Chop both finely.

2. Peel the garlic cloves and slice them thinly.

3. Chop the dried chili into small pieces.

These aromatics will create the fragrant base for our sauce.

Step 3: Cooking the Pasta

1. Boil a large saucepan of water. Add 1 tsp salt and 1 tbsp olive oil to prevent sticking.

2. Reduce heat to low, carefully place the pasta in, holding it until the submerged part softens, then release it.

3. Stir occasionally and cook for about 8 minutes, or 2 minutes less than the time recommended on the pasta package.

Tip: Slightly undercooked pasta is ideal because we’ll stir-fry it later, which softens it further. The final texture should be springy and chewy.

Step 4: Cooking Shrimp and Aromatics

1. Heat 2–3 tbsp olive oil in a large pan.

2. Add the shrimp heads and sauté for 1–2 minutes to release flavor.

3. Add garlic slices, chopped dried chili, and the white parts of the green onions. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.

4. Add the shrimp meat and cook until 90% done (slightly pink inside).

5. Remove the heads and shrimp from the pan and set aside.

Step 5: Making the Sauce and Combining Pasta

1. Drain the pasta when it’s nearly cooked. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water.

2. Add the pasta to the pan with aromatics.

3. Pour in the reserved pasta water and 4 tbsp rice cooking liquid, then stir in 1–2 tsp sugar for a touch of sweetness.

4. Stir-fry over high heat for 1–2 minutes until the liquid coats the pasta evenly.

Step 6: Seasoning

1. Add 1 tsp soy sauce, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste).

2. Stir well. If the pasta looks a bit dry, add a little more pasta cooking water.

3. The goal is to have a light sauce that clings to each noodle, creating layers of flavor.

Step 7: Finishing Touches

1. Return the cooked shrimp to the pan.

2. Add the chopped green parts of the green onions.

3. Stir everything evenly to combine.

Tip: Make sure the pasta has a little sauce so it’s not dry. The garlic, shrimp, Japanese sweet seasoning, and soy sauce should be balanced and fragrant.

Step 8: Serving

1. Divide the pasta onto two plates.

2. Optionally, drizzle a small amount of olive oil on top for extra shine and aroma.

3. Serve immediately while hot.

Lykkers, each bite should deliver the garlicky aroma, fresh shrimp sweetness, and a subtle hint of sweet Japanese seasoning. It’s just like a restaurant-style dish but made at home!

Let’s Enjoy!

Making Japanese garlic shrimp pasta at home is easier than we think. Following these steps ensures restaurant-quality flavor, perfectly chewy pasta, and aromatic, juicy shrimp. We can enjoy a fresh, light, and satisfying meal without leaving our kitchen. Let’s try it together and enjoy the delicious layers of flavor in every bite!