Cucur Udang Mamak (Prawn Fritters)

Prawn fritters are known as 'cucur udang' or 'jemput-jemput udang' in Malaysia and Singapore. This easy-to-prepare fried prawn snack which is crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside is a typical Malay street vendor specialty.

5 stars

Preparation 40 mins
Cooking 20 mins

Side

Jemput-jemput udang

Malaysian, Malay, Singaporean, Indian

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Nutrition per Serving

492 kcal
17 g
46 g
4 g


Cucur udang are prawn fritters which are commonly sold by Malay street vendors in Malaysia and Singapore. These golden prawn fritters are enjoyed during breakfast right up till tea time. They are served together with a sweet and spicy chili sauce or are added to other recipes as an ingredient. At mamak eateries, cucur udang are added to 'rojak' (local salad) or 'mee goreng' (fried noodles). When prawn fritters are used in Mee goreng mamak, it adds a delicious fluffy texture to the noodles. This recipe yields prawn fritters which are crispy at the side, yet fluffy on the inside without the overpowering flavour of prawns. Needless to say, the taste is absolutely amazing.

Crispy cucur udang

Oil used to fry cucur udang needs to be at the right temperature or the batter will soak up the oil instead and results in soggy prawn fritters. Once the pan is heated to medium heat, pour enough oil to cover at least half of the prawn fritters. Test the temperature of the oil by using wooden chopsticks or skewers. When the oil is hot enough, small bubbles will appear around the tip of the chopsticks or skewers. If you have a thermometer, the ideal temperature to fry the fritters is 360 F (180 C).

The other tip is to use a flat ladle to spoon the batter. Thus, the sides will be thin and crispy while the centre is soft and fluffy.

Type of prawns

A whole shrimp or prawn is usually added to the top of the batter before frying. It is common to have its shell and head intact as they enhanced the flavour of the fritter. Traditionally, smaller shrimps or prawns such as North Atlantic pink shrimps are used due to the softness of its shell and head. However, in this recipe, medium sized prawns excluding the shell and head are used instead.

Cucur udang sauce

Prawn fritters are best served with sweet and mildly spicy chili sauce. Thai chili sauce would be the best choice.

How to store cucur udang

After frying, cucur udang can be served immediately or allow to cool to room temperature. If you plan to use it in Mee goreng mamak, keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Refrigerated fried prawn fritters can be reheated in a microwave oven.

If you plan to prepare cucur udang in advanced, fry the batter until it is about 50 percent cooked without placing the prawn on top. The center of the cucur udang should still be soft. After removing from the oil, leave them to cool to room temperature. Press a prawn or shrimp into the half fried cucur udang. It can be kept frozen for up to 3 months. Fry frozen cucur udang without thawing.


Ingredients

Servings:  
1⁄2 tsp
active dry yeast
1⁄4 tsp
sugar
200 ml
water
150 g
all-purpose flour
1⁄4 tsp
salt
1⁄2 tsp
baking powder
1⁄2 tsp
turmeric powder
1⁄2 tbsp
shrimps (dried)
20 g
carrot(s)
15 g
scallions
25 g
bean sprouts
1
shallot(s)
8
prawns
400 ml
oil

Steps to Prepare

Cucur Udang Mamak (Prawn Fritters) Step 1

Step 1 of 4

    • 1⁄2 tsp active dry yeast
    • 1⁄4 tsp sugar
    • 200 ml water

Add sugar and yeast into a bowl of lukewarm water. Leave aside for 5 minutes or until yeast begins to bubble.

Cucur Udang Mamak (Prawn Fritters) Step 2

Step 2 of 4

    • 150 g all-purpose flour
    • 1⁄4 tsp salt
    • 1⁄2 tsp baking powder
    • 1⁄2 tsp turmeric powder
    • 1⁄2 tbsp shrimps (dried)

Add salt, baking powder, turmeric powder, blended dried shrimps and yeast mixture to wheat flour. Mix well. Leave aside for 30 minutes.

Cucur Udang Mamak (Prawn Fritters) Step 3

Step 3 of 4

    • 20 g carrot(s)
    • 15 g scallions
    • 25 g bean sprouts
    • 1 shallot(s)

Prepare julienned carrots, sliced shallots, chopped scallions and bean sprouts. Add them into the batter and gently mix well.

Cucur Udang Mamak (Prawn Fritters) Step 4

Step 4 of 4

    • 8 prawns
    • 400 ml oil

Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Once oil is heated, place a flat stainless steel ladle into the oil for 3 minutes. Scoop some batter onto the stainless steel ladle and place a prawn on top. Fry for about 30 seconds. Using another spoon, gently push the prawn fritter off the ladle. Fry both sides until golden brown.

Published: October 11, 2018


5 Discussions

Omelle Elias
3 years ago

Omelle Elias

Thank you for your recipe. I have compared with others and my own recipe, and I've cooked them as well. I found that your ingredients are almost the same as mine except I put an egg in it. The egg's proteins help the flour form a better moisture seal, keeping your food moister, and they also reduce the batter's ability to absorb oil. Try it... I found that your cucur udang and other recipes without egg are crispy but hard when cooled. For extra flavour, I add a teaspoon of fennel powder and a teaspoon of garlic granules. Yumms...

Christine Yong
3 years ago

Christine Yong

Just tried the cucumber udang. Thankss for sharing, Grace. Just wonder how to make it less oily?

Mira - Community Happiness Manager
3 years ago

Mira - Community Happiness Manager

Frying at the right temperature helps. When the oil isn’t hot enough, the fritters will soak more oil as they are frying.

Christine Yong
3 years ago

Christine Yong

What is the right temperature for frying cucur dang? I tried the Mee Rebus recipe today, it is really very yummy! Thank you for the recipe.

Mira - Community Happiness Manager
3 years ago

Mira - Community Happiness Manager

180 C ;) You can refer to the section ‘crispy cucur udang’ for tips if you don’t have a thermometer. We are happy to know that you are enjoying the recipes. Don’t forget to upload your food snaps!

Angeline Toh
4 years ago

Angeline Toh

Hi! can i omit active dry yeast as i don't have it?

Mira - Community Happiness Manager
4 years ago

Mira - Community Happiness Manager

Without yeast, it's not going to turn out fluffy.

Fred
4 years ago

Fred

Made it yesterday together with the Mee Goreng Mamak. It was delicious! Thanks a lot.

Donna Cara
4 years ago

Donna Cara

Hello there!may i ask if the batter can be prepared and refrigerator night before and oil fry the next morning?

Mira - Community Happiness Manager
4 years ago

Mira - Community Happiness Manager

Sure, but that won't be ideal. Baking powder in the batter may no longer be as effective as it should after so many hours.

Donna Cara
4 years ago

Donna Cara

Noted.Thank you Mira for your kind reply!

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