Favorite Asian Foods No. 7: Shrimp Chips

It isn't easy to pick 10 favorites out of all the Japanese snacks out there. Walking down the Asian food store aisle, it seems like every colorful package is crying out, "pick me, pick me." No offense to all the other Japanese snacks, but shrimp chips (sometimes called prawn crackers) take number seven in our favorite Asian foods countdown. Crunchy, cute, and super addictive, shrimp chips are the triple threat of Japanese snacks.

Made from deep-fried flattened out prawns, these Japanese snacks can be found in Asian food stores across the U.S. Most Asian food stores carry pre-cooked shrimp chips (similar to potato chips) and translucent disk-shaped shrimp chips that must be deep fried before serving. If you are new to shrimp chips and would rather not dirty your frying pan, start with pre-cooked. Expect a subtle shrimp flavor and light, crispy texture.

When you buy shrimp chips, keep them crunchy. Don't let them sit in a partially opened bag or they'll quickly turn stale. Put some in a bowl and close the bag with a shrimp chip-clip (cute) or eat them all at once. Be warned, shrimp chips are super addictive and you can go through a whole bag in one sitting. Especially when watching "Iron Chef."

What chip would be complete without a dipping partner? Dip them in hot sauce, try them in cheese, or flavor them with Japanese seasonings. These hot and spicy shrimp chips make a flavorful stand-alone snack. Here's a little known secret about shrimp chips -- you can crunch them up and use them as breading for fried chicken. Pack your shrimp chips, shrimp-fried chicken, Ramune soda, and disposable chopsticks in a basket and head out on a Japanese-inspired picnic.

To find shrimp chips and other Japanese snacks, shop Asian Food Grocer. And check back soon for our number six in our favorite Asian Foods countdown.