Shrimp paste

Name Variations[]

terasi
trasi
trassi
balachan
blacan
blachan
kapi
bagoong
ngapi

About shrimp paste[]

Southeast Asian shrimp paste, known variously as terasi, trasi, bagoong, and trassi, comes in cakes that can range from soft and grayish-pink to firm and brownish in color. Shrimp paste is made by grinding up salted, fermented shrimp and has a strong, salty, fishy flavor. It is used sparingly in myriad Asian preparations, particularly soups, sauces, and rice dishes. The pungent odor, common to all the shrimp pastes, dissipates somewhat during cooking.

It may also be crushed with spices, grilled or fried before adding to other ingredients.