What are boom boom shrimp?
Boom boom shrimp are a popular appetizer or snack consisting of fried shrimp tossed in a sweet and spicy chili sauce. The sauce is made from a variety of ingredients like soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, chili peppers, and brown sugar. This gives the shrimp a sweet, savory and spicy flavor profile that is hard to resist.
Boom boom shrimp are usually served as an appetizer or snack alongside drinks at a bar or restaurant. They make for a tasty starter to any meal. The crispy fried shrimp coated in the sticky, addictive boom boom sauce are fun to eat and perfect for sharing. You’ll often see people dipping the shrimp in extra sauce or using pieces of lettuce or cabbage leaves to make little shrimp wraps.
What goes well with boom boom shrimp?
Boom boom shrimp pack some powerful flavors, so they go well with lighter, more neutral tasting foods that won’t overpower the dish. Here are some ideas of what you can eat with boom boom shrimp:
Steamed white rice
Steamed white rice is a perfect accompaniment to boom boom shrimp. The plain rice helps balance out the sweet, spicy and salty flavors of the shrimp. It also gives you something bland to eat between shrimp to cleanse your palate. Rice works well for wrapping up shrimp pieces too.
Stir fried vegetables
Crunchy, quick-cooked stir fried veggies like bok choy, broccoli, carrots, bell peppers or snap peas would go nicely with boom boom shrimp. The fresh vegetables provide contrast to the rich, fried shrimp.
Green salad
A simple green salad with vinaigrette dressing is another good option for serving with boom boom shrimp. The light, crisp greens and vegetables give a fresh break from the heavy flavors of the shrimp.
Coleslaw
Cool, creamy coleslaw also balances perfectly with hot boom boom shrimp. The crunch of the cabbage and carrots adds nice texture.
Edamame
Sprinkled with a pinch of salt, nutty edamame soybeans make a tasty and healthy sidekick for boom boom shrimp. They provide protein too.
Seaweed salad
Chilled seaweed salad with its mix of seaweed, cucumber and carrots in a sesame dressing is another excellent choice. It cools your mouth between bites of spicy shrimp.
Miso soup
A small bowl of miso soup does well for toning down the heat of boom boom shrimp. The broth soothes the palate while the soft tofu provides protein.
Fruit
Fresh fruit like pineapple, mango, orange segments or melon can also help tame some of the heat of boom boom shrimp. Fruit gives a naturally sweet contrast.
Pickles
Tangy, crunchy pickles are great for cleansing the palate after spicy boom boom shrimp bites. They also aid digestion. Japanese quick pickles would complement the dish nicely.
Tempura vegetables
For another contrast in textures, crispy tempura vegetables like green beans, sweet potato or zucchini would work wonderfully with boom boom shrimp. The tempura batter adds an extra layer of crunch.
Dips and condiments to serve with boom boom shrimp
In addition to side dishes, boom boom shrimp pair well with various dipping sauces and condiments. These add extra flavor and dimension to the dish. Some tasty options include:
Boom boom sauce
Extra boom boom sauce on the side for dipping is a must. The sauce is so addictive you’ll want more to continue dunking those crispy shrimp in.
Sriracha mayo
For an extra kick, mix sriracha chili sauce into mayonnaise for a spicy dipping sauce. The creamy mayo helps mellow the sriracha a bit.
Lime wedges
Fresh lime juice is perfect for squeezing over boom boom shrimp. The acidity cuts through the rich flavors nicely.
Soy sauce
Simple soy sauce also tastes great with boom boom shrimp, adding an extra hit of savory umami.
Fish sauce
Like soy sauce, a few drops of salty, aromatic fish sauce makes a nice accompaniment for dipping.
Sweet chili sauce
Extra sweet chili sauce is another way to reinforce the flavors already going on in the boom boom sauce.
Hot mustard
Spicy hot mustard can provide another layer of heat and tang to dip the shrimp in. Chinese style hot mustard works very well.
Blue cheese dressing
Cool, creamy blue cheese dressing makes a nice contrast to the hot, sticky shrimp.
Ranch dressing
Crowd-pleasing ranch dressing is also an excellent dip for boom boom shrimp. The creaminess helps balance the heat.
Tartar sauce
Classic tartar sauce with pickles, capers, herbs and lemon complements fried seafood like shrimp perfectly. It adds moisture too.
Guacamole
Cool, buttery guacamole does a great job countering the salty, spicy flavors of boom boom shrimp. The avocado cools the palate.
What to drink with boom boom shrimp
Boom boom shrimp also pair deliciously with a variety of beverages. Some tasty options include:
Beer
A light, crisp lager or pilsner is perfect for cutting through the spicy, sticky sauce on boom boom shrimp. Try Modelo, Corona, or Stella Artois.
Ginger ale
The bubbly sweetness of ginger ale helps tame the heat of spicy boom boom shrimp. The ginger flavor complements the sauce too.
Ginger beer
Similar to ginger ale, but with more pronounced ginger bite, ginger beer is another excellent match for boom boom shrimp. Good in cocktails too.
Sake
Dry sake makes a nice pairing with Japanese-inspired boom boom shrimp. It cleanses the palate between bites of sauce-slathered shrimp.
Riesling
Sweet floral riesling wine balances beautifully with punchy boom boom shrimp. It also pairs well with Asian flavors.
Gewürztraminer
Like riesling, slightly sweet gewürztraminer wine with lush tropical fruit flavors works well with spicy Asian shrimp.
Sparkling wine
Refreshing bubbles and acidity cut through the rich shrimp. Prosecco, cava or Champagne all make good pairings.
Mai Tai cocktail
A fruity, rum-based mai tai makes a delicious tropical cocktail to enjoy with boom boom shrimp. Pineapple juice tames the heat.
Mojito
Minty, lime mojitos complement boom boom shrimp wonderfully. The fresh mint cools your palate from the spices.
Pina colada
Creamy, coconutty pina coladas provide a sweet, cooling contrast to hot and spicy shrimp.
Margarita
A tangy margarita with lime juice is sure to cut right through rich boom boom shrimp. The salt on the rim doesn’t hurt either.
Lemonade
Tart, sweet lemonade is incredibly refreshing with heavily sauced shrimp. The acidity balances the oils nicely.
Full meal ideas with boom boom shrimp
Looking to build an entire meal around boom boom shrimp? Here are some delicious full meal ideas featuring boom boom shrimp as an appetizer:
Tropical feast
– Boom boom shrimp
– Grilled pineapple skewers
– Coconut rice
– Macaroni salad
– Mai tais
Backyard barbecue
– Boom boom shrimp
– BBQ chicken legs
– Corn on the cob
– Potato salad
– Iced tea or beer
Surf and turf
– Boom boom shrimp
– Grilled ribeye steaks
– Roasted asparagus
– Twice baked potatoes
– Red wine
Sushi night
– Boom boom shrimp
– Spicy tuna rolls
– Cucumber salad
– Miso soup
– Green tea
Mexican fiesta
– Boom boom shrimp
– Fish tacos
– Spanish rice
– Refried beans
– Margaritas
Italian feast
– Boom boom shrimp
– Chicken parmesan
– Caesar salad
– Garlic bread
– Tiramisu
– Chianti wine
Conclusion
Boom boom shrimp make for the ultimate versatile appetizer that pairs deliciously with a wide variety of foods, dips, drinks and full meals. From plain white rice to cool, crisp salads to Hawaiian-inspired tropical dishes, the sweet and spicy shrimp complement many different flavors. So dip those shrimp in extra sauce and enjoy them as a starter to a great meal!