What is Ukoy?

Ukoy or Okoy is a Filipino dish, usually appetizer, of shrimp fritters. The small unshelled shrimp is normally accompanied by other vegetables or root crops. Most commonly used are squash, green papaya, cabbage, sweet potato, bean sprouts, and carrots. Technically anything that is in season that can be shredded and fried. It is also common to find them sold by street food vendors in local marketplaces. The typical bright orange color is achieved from achuete seeds.

I’ve been craving for Ukoy for like ages but I always thought that it is impossible to make them while I am here in Germany. The Ukoy I grew up with uses green papaya which is impossible to find here. Then while browsing through the net, I came across several recipes for Ukoy that use different kinds of vegetables like bean sprouts, squash, and sweet potato!

shredded orange sweet potato used for shrimp fritter

I was excited to try it of course, so next on my list to cross—the shrimp! It should be not so difficult I thought, of course, there are shrimp in Germany, but usually we only have the frozen ones. It does not matter, it could work! But then all that I was able to find in our local food stores were too big, already peeled or the heads removed! I don’t know why, but I cannot picture an Ukoy with shelled and beheaded shrimps. My last hope was to go to the nearest Asian food shop (which is not really so near), so I convinced Armin that it is time to replenish our fish and soy sauce.

small shelled shrimp used for making okoy/ukoy or shrimp fritters

And look what I found! The perfect shrimp for Ukoy! Shell and head intact and also the perfect size. Yes, in this case, sizes do matter. Small shrimp will be crunchy when fried, shell and all! I cannot be happier!

The secret to perfect, crunchy shrimp fritter

It is no surprise that cornstarch adds a crunchy bite to any fried food. I also find that adding it makes the fritters stay crispy even when they turn cold.

A note about cooking Ukoy: Don’t be surprised if you get a runny batter, it is supposed to be like that.

I also remembered watching an Ukoy vendor in the ‘palengke’ or market (way, way back then). I was too curious and fascinated by how they make their shrimp fritters perfectly round. Their secret technique,—saucers. They use it to measure to have uniform sizes and to form them into perfectly round disks. They tip the saucer filled with the batter to the hot oil and slide it out without breaking form.