
Everyone has their favorite crustacean-and-bread combo. Lobster rolls, crab cakes…the list goes on. But for me shrimp burgers reign supreme. Probably influenced by the TV commercials for Japanese chain MOS Burger I watched growing up, where kids wearing shorts joyfully chomp into burgers (cue the dramatic closeup of golden fried shrimp morphing into a patty), I can’t resist crispy shrimp nestled between buttered and toasted brioche buns. Create texture in your patties by cutting one third of the shrimp into chunky ½" pieces, while finely chopping the remaining quantity. With a bed of thinly sliced cabbage for freshness and a plop of egg salad that puts the whole thing over the top (in a good way), it’s childhood on a plate.
Both the egg salad and shrimp patties can be made ahead of time: Prepare and store egg salad in the fridge up to 24 hours ahead; shrimp patties can be formed and stored in the fridge up to 12 hours ahead. —Jessie YuChen
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What you’ll need
Deep-Fry Thermometer
$15 At Amazon
Cast Iron Skillet
$30 At Amazon
Spider
$12 $10 At Amazon
Wire Rack
$23 At BA Market
Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls, Set of 6
$29 At Amazon
Recipe information
Yield
4 servings
Ingredients
Special equipment
Preparation
Step 1
Mix hard-boiled eggs, onion, mayonnaise, ketchup, and ½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt in a small bowl until combined. Set egg salad aside.
Step 2
Cut one third of shrimp into ½” pieces; finely chop remaining shrimp (or pulse in a food processor). Transfer all shrimp to a medium bowl. Mix in potato starch, pepper, 1 Tbsp. beaten eggs, and ½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt. Using oiled hands, divide mixture into 4 portions, then shape into ½”-thick patties. Place on an oiled baking sheet and chill 1 hour.
Step 3
Place panko, flour, and remaining beaten eggs in 3 separate shallow bowls. Working with 1 patty at a time, dredge in flour, shaking off excess. Dip in eggs, letting excess drip back into bowl, then coat in panko, pressing to adhere before shaking off excess.
Step 4
Pour oil into a large heavy skillet, preferably cast iron, to come 1” up sides. Clip thermometer to sides of pan. Heat oil over medium until thermometer registers 350°. Working in 2 batches, carefully slide patties into oil and fry, turning halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet; season with salt.
Step 5
Melt 1 Tbsp. butter in another large skillet over medium heat. Working in 2 batches and adding remaining 1 Tbsp. butter between batches, toast buns, cut sides down, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Transfer to plates.
Step 6
Spread each bottom bun with 1 Tbsp. wasabi mayonnaise. Top each with some cabbage and a patty. Spoon reserved egg salad over and close burgers.
Do ahead: Egg salad can be made 1 day ahead; cover and chill. Patties can be formed 12 hours ahead; cover and keep chilled.