Food Lens Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Food Lens · Condiments
Shrimp paste
Intensely savory, salty, and pungent with a deep fermented funk that mellows dramatically when cooked, leaving behind rich umami depth.
Lens analyzedShrimp paste is a pungent, deeply umami fermented condiment made from salted, dried shrimp. It forms the flavor backbone of countless Southeast Asian dishes, from Filipino kare-kare to Malaysian laksa.
Where it comes from
Fermented shrimp paste is one of Southeast Asia's oldest seasonings, made by salting and sun-drying tiny shrimp until they break down into a dense, savory paste known as bagoong, belacan, or terasi across the region. North American cooks can find it in jars or blocks in Filipino and Southeast Asian markets.
Buying it
Look for a firm, evenly colored paste without excessive liquid pooling. Bagoong alamang ranges from pink to deep burgundy; belacan and terasi are typically sold as dry, crumbly blocks. Buy from stores with good turnover for freshest product.
Storing it
Keep sealed in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to several months; the high salt content inhibits spoilage.
Keeps about 1 year in the fridge.
Out of shrimp paste? Good swaps
- Fish sauce
- Miso paste
- Anchovy paste
General cooking guidance — always check the labels on the products you use. Listahan’s allergen checks run automatically when you plan a recipe in the app. Not medical advice.
Recipes that use shrimp paste
Common questions about shrimp paste
What can I use instead of shrimp paste?
Good swaps include Fish sauce, Miso paste, Anchovy paste. Each behaves a little differently — see the swaps above for notes, and always check labels for allergens.
How do I store shrimp paste?
Keep sealed in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to several months; the high salt content inhibits spoilage. It keeps about 1 year in the fridge.
More condiments
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Make shrimp paste about your kitchen — with Listahan Pro
Everything above is free, forever. Pro adds the Household Lens — the same food, seen for your family:
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Checked for each member
Flags shrimp paste per person against your household's allergies and school rules — not just a generic "contains" tag.
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Pantry-aware
Knows whether you already have it, what is running low, and the best swap from what is in your kitchen tonight.
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What it costs near you
A real price from the Presyo community index, so you can plan the budget — not guess.
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Your household memory
Who likes it, plus your own private notes — brand, where you keep it, who skips it.
Allergen safety is always free — Pro adds the automation, never the safety.
Cook with shrimp paste — safely
Plan a recipe in Listahan and the household allergen check runs automatically — every plan, every swap, every lunchbox. Safety is never paywalled.