Crispy Outside, Juicy Inside! Easy Air Fryer Menbosha
Less Oil, Maximum Flavor! Recreating Chef Lee Yeon-bok’s Famous Dish
Enjoy a delightful Menbosha at home, featuring a perfectly crisp exterior and a succulent, shrimp-filled interior! Inspired by the renowned Chef Lee Yeon-bok’s recipe, this version uses an air fryer for a healthier, less oily approach. It’s an impressive dish perfect for special occasions or when entertaining guests. Let’s make it together!
For the Menbosha Filling
- 3 slices of white bread (crusts removed, cut into 4 squares each)
- 200g fresh shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 1 egg white (about 2 tablespoons needed)
- 1/4 onion (minced very finely)
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For the Sweet Chili Sauce
- 1 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 Tbsp ketchup
- 1/2 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup (or honey)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp hot sauce
- 1 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 Tbsp ketchup
- 1/2 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup (or honey)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp hot sauce
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the bread for the Menbosha. Take 3 slices of white bread and carefully trim off the crusts. Then, cut each slice into four equal square pieces. Set these aside for now.
Step 2
To enhance the flavor and remove any potential shrimpiness, we’ll finely mince the onion. Take 1/4 of an onion and chop it as finely as possible using a knife or a microplane. We don’t need a large amount, just enough to add a subtle flavor without overpowering the shrimp.
Step 3
Now, let’s prepare the star ingredient: the shrimp. Ensure you have 200g of fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined. For the best texture, chop the shrimp finely with a knife, leaving some small pieces for a pleasant bite. While you could use a food processor, hand-chopping gives a superior texture and chewiness.
Step 4
We’ll use egg white to help bind the shrimp filling. Separate the white from 1 egg and lightly whisk it with a tiny pinch of salt. You’ll only need about 2 tablespoons for the mixture, so no need to whisk the entire white if you have a lot.
Step 5
Time to create the delicious Menbosha filling! In a bowl, combine the chopped shrimp, finely minced onion, the reserved 2 tablespoons of egg white, a pinch of salt, a pinch of black pepper, and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Knead the mixture thoroughly with your hands until it becomes sticky and well-combined. This elasticity is key!
Step 6
Spread a generous amount of the shrimp mixture onto one piece of the prepared bread. Then, place another piece of bread on top, creating a sandwich. Gently press the edges to seal the filling inside and ensure it doesn’t leak out during cooking.
Step 7
Let’s get ready to achieve that perfect crispy exterior and juicy interior using the air fryer! Lightly brush the top of each Menbosha with olive oil for a beautiful golden-brown finish and extra crispiness. Place them in the air fryer basket and cook at 180°C (350°F) for 10 minutes. Then, flip them over and continue to cook for another 5 minutes. Air fryer cooking times can vary, so keep an eye on them and adjust as needed until they are golden and crisp.
Step 8
While the Menbosha is cooking, let’s whip up a simple and delicious sweet chili sauce. In a small saucepan, combine 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, 1/2 tablespoon of oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon of corn syrup (or honey), 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1/2 tablespoon of hot sauce. Stir everything together. Heat over low heat just until it simmers, then immediately remove from the heat. Be careful not to overcook, as it can burn easily.
