Shrimp with Lobster Sauce (Cantonese Prawns in Savoury Sauce)

Shrimp with lobster sauce is a Cantonese-style prawn dish defined by its glossy, savoury sauce rather than by lobster itself. Tender prawns are served in a lightly thickened chicken stock base enriched with minced pork, garlic and black bean sauce, giving the dish a deep umami character without heaviness. Beaten egg is stirred through at the end to form soft ribbons, adding body and a silky texture. Served hot with steamed rice, it is a practical dinner dish that feels generous and comforting while staying clean-tasting and balanced.
Cuisine style Cantonese-style wok cooking
Cooking style Minimal cleanup
Time commitment Under 1 hour

Why this recipe works

  • Savoury depth: Minced pork, garlic and black bean sauce build a rich umami base before the stock goes in.
  • Silky sauce: Cornflour thickens the stock into a glossy gravy, while beaten egg adds soft ribbons without making the sauce heavy.
  • Fast wok cooking: The prawns cook directly in the sauce, keeping the method streamlined and the texture tender.

Get the most out of this recipe

Texture tips

  • Keep the prawns tender: Simmer the prawns only until they turn opaque and pink; prolonged cooking makes them firm and rubbery.
  • Create soft egg ribbons: Drizzle the beaten egg into a gently simmering sauce while stirring in one direction for larger, softer strands.
  • Control the sauce body: Whisk the cornflour mixture again just before adding it so the sauce thickens evenly and stays glossy.

Ingredient notes

  • Use raw prawns: Raw peeled prawns are best here because they cook gently in the sauce and absorb its savoury flavour.
  • Black bean sauce matters: Choose a well-balanced black bean sauce, as it provides much of the dish’s savoury, fermented depth.
  • Season carefully: Light soy sauce and black bean sauce both add saltiness, so taste the finished sauce before making any final adjustment.

Common mistakes

  • Boiling the sauce: A hard boil can toughen the prawns and break up the egg too finely; keep the sauce at a gentle simmer.
  • Skipping the slurry whisk: Cornflour settles quickly, so whisking it again before it goes into the wok prevents lumps and uneven thickening.
  • Adding the egg too early: Wait until the prawns are cooked and the sauce is gently bubbling before adding the egg, so it sets into ribbons.

Serving ideas

  • Serve with steamed rice: Plain steamed rice is the classic pairing, soaking up the glossy savoury sauce without competing with it.
  • Finish with spring onion greens: Add the green parts of the spring onion at the end for freshness and a light onion bite.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
Print
  1. In a small bowl, beat the egg. In a separate bowl, whisk the cornflour with a splash of the chicken stock until smooth, then whisk in the remaining stock, the light soy sauce and the white pepper.
  2. Slice the spring onion, keeping the white and green parts separate. Finely chop the garlic.
  3. Heat the vegetable oil in a wok (or large frying pan) over medium-high heat. Add the minced pork and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until it loses its pink colour and starts to take on a little colour.
  4. Add the garlic and the white parts of the spring onion and stir-fry for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the black bean sauce for 30 seconds to bloom its flavour.
  5. Give the cornflour-stock mixture a quick whisk, then pour it into the wok. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until glossy and lightly thickened.
  6. Add the prawns and simmer gently for 2 to 4 minutes, stirring carefully, until they are just opaque and pink. Keep the heat moderate so the sauce stays silky.
  7. With the sauce at a gentle simmer, slowly drizzle in the beaten egg while stirring in one direction to create soft ribbons. Cook for 30 to 60 seconds, then fold through the green parts of the spring onion and serve straight away.

Made this recipe? Rate it — a comment is optional.

Recipe notes

Serving suggestions

This recipe pairs well with:

Steamed rice

Tips

  • Whisk the cornflour slurry again just before adding it, as it settles quickly and can otherwise thicken unevenly.
  • Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer when adding the egg so it forms tender ribbons rather than breaking up into tiny bits.
  • Food safety: if serving to pregnant people, young children, older adults, or anyone immunocompromised, use eggs with a recognised food safety mark and ensure the egg ribbons are fully set.

Substitutions

  • Replace Light soy sauce with Dark soy sauce for a deeper colour and slightly sweeter, fuller flavour.
  • Replace Black bean sauce with Doubanjiang for a spicier, more robust sauce.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 2 days
  • Cool quickly, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat with a splash of chicken stock, stirring until piping hot; avoid boiling to keep the prawns tender and the sauce silky.

Ratings & reviews

Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.

Tried this recipe?

Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.

If you leave a comment, use 10–500 characters.

Stay inspired

Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.

Shrimp with Lobster Sauce (Cantonese Prawns in Savoury Sauce)
Image by JustRecipes
Pinterest

Recipe overview

  • Servings: 3 servings
  • Total time: 40min (40min active)
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Cuisine: Chinese
  • Allergens:
    Crustaceans Eggs Soybeans
With serving suggestions

Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.

Add to meal planner

Equipment you'll need

Advertisement

Recommended tools for this recipe

Best overall

Misen Carbon Steel Nonstick Frying Pan 12 Inch

Versatile induction-ready pan
  • Works on all stovetops
  • Naturally nonstick when seasoned
  • Requires seasoning and maintenance

Got ingredients left?

Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.

Find recipes with these ingredients →

Make this recipe easier next time

Advertisement

These tools help you get better results with less effort.

Best overall

Misen Carbon Steel Nonstick Frying Pan 12 Inch

Versatile induction-ready pan
  • Works on all stovetops
  • Naturally nonstick when seasoned
  • Requires seasoning and maintenance
Best value

Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowls with Lids

Microwave-safe glass
  • Microwave safe
  • BPA-free lids
  • Glass is heavier
Top quality

All-Clad Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Saucepan

Professional-grade tri-ply saucepan
  • Excellent heat control
  • Premium build quality
  • Expensive
Best overall

KitchenAid Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls

Non-slip steel set
  • Non-slip base
  • Stainless steel
  • Not microwave safe

Browse alphabetically

Looking for a specific recipe? Choose a letter below to jump directly to recipes starting with that letter or number.

Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?

Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.

Add JustRecipes to Google

Every recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.