Why Are Restaurant Shrimp So Springy? The Secret Revealed!

Ingredients: Shrimp: 7 oz, peeled and deveined Asparagus: 7 oz Mushrooms: 5 oz Ginger slices and garlic slices: as needed Method 1: Alkaline Water Treatment Food-grade alkaline powder (kansui): 1.5 tbsp Water: 2 cups Method 2: Salt Water Treatment Salt: 2 tbsp Water: 1 cup Marinade: Salt: 1/4 tsp + 1/8 tsp MSG: 1/8 tsp White pepper: 1/8 tsp Ginger juice: 1 tsp Rice wine: 1/2 tbsp Egg white: 1/3 of an egg Cornstarch: 1 tsp Sauce: Salt: 1/2 tsp Sugar: 1/4 tsp MSG: 1/4 tsp Water: 1.5 tsp Cornstarch: 1 tsp Cooking Instructions: Prepare the shrimp: Make a shallow cut along the back of each shrimp. Treatment method (choose one): Alkaline method: Soak shrimp in alkaline solution for 20 minutes until slightly pink. Salt method: Soak shrimp in salt solution for 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly: Alkaline-treated: Rinse for about 30 minutes under running water. Salt-treated: Rinse until salt flavor is mild. Marinate the shrimp: Combine shrimp with salt, MSG, white pepper, ginger juice, and rice wine. Mix thoroughly by hand. Add protective coating: Mix in egg white and cornstarch. Let rest for 15 minutes. Prepare vegetables: Trim asparagus, cut into manageable lengths. Clean and slice mushrooms slightly thick. Blanch asparagus: Boil water with a bit of salt and oil, blanch asparagus for 30 seconds, then drain. Cook shrimp: Bring water to a boil, add marinated shrimp. Don't stir immediately. Once opaque, remove and drain. Prepare sauce: Mix salt, sugar, MSG, water, and cornstarch. Stir-fry: Heat oil in a pan, add ginger and garlic. Add mushrooms and sauté until soft. Add asparagus and toss. Add shrimp, then pour sauce in batches, stirring to coat everything evenly. Finish: Drizzle a little oil to enhance the colors. Enjoy this restaurant-quality dish at home! If you try either method, let me know in the comments which texture you prefer! Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:32 - Selecting and preparing shrimp 01:00 - Method 1: Alkaline water treatment 01:48 - Method 2: Salt water treatment 02:21 - Rinsing techniques for both methods 02:50 - Marinating the shrimp 04:08 - Preparing vegetables 04:54 - Blanching asparagus and shrimp 05:36 - Comparing the two treatments 06:28 - Preparing the sauce 06:48 - Final stir-fry cooking 08:07 - Final dish presentation