Egg Floss Butter Prawns
There is something almost magical about the moment hot butter meets fresh prawns. The kitchen fills with a rich, savory aroma, and you just know something indulgent is about to land on your table. Egg Floss Butter Prawns is one of those dishes that feels restaurant worthy, yet surprisingly doable at home. The golden strands of egg floss, the creamy butter sauce, the juicy prawns, it is comfort and celebration all in one plate. Trust me, you’re going to love this.
Why This Dish Always Steals the Spotlight
Every time I serve this, it disappears fast. The contrast of textures alone makes it unforgettable. You get lightly crisp prawns, silky sauce, and that airy egg floss that melts almost instantly on your tongue. It feels luxurious, but it is simple enough for a weeknight treat. And now let dive to where this beautiful dish comes from.
A Little Story Behind This Beloved Classic
This dish is widely loved in Malaysian seafood restaurants, especially in coastal areas where prawns are incredibly fresh. It blends Chinese cooking techniques with Southeast Asian flavors, particularly the use of curry leaves for aroma. The addition of egg floss is a creative twist that gives it both drama and texture. Over time, it has become a staple at family gatherings and festive dinners because it looks impressive yet feels comforting.
What Makes This Recipe So Reliable and Loved
Before we head into the kitchen, let me share why this one’s a total game changer.
Versatile: It works beautifully as a main dish with rice or as part of a seafood spread for special occasions.
Budget-Friendly: Using medium sized prawns keeps it affordable while still delivering that luxurious feel.
Quick and Easy: The cooking process moves fast once everything is prepped.
Customizable: You can adjust spice levels or sauce richness to your taste.
Crowd-Pleasing: Creamy butter sauce and crispy egg strands are almost impossible to resist.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep ingredients in advance and cook just before serving.
Great for Leftovers: The flavors deepen slightly the next day, especially when reheated gently.
Chef Secrets for Perfect Results Every Time
Great results come down to small details.
- Use fresh, large prawns for the juiciest bite.
- Pat the prawns dry before frying to ensure a light crisp texture.
- Keep the heat moderate when adding butter so it does not burn.
- Whisk the egg in a steady stream into hot oil to create fine, airy floss.
- Add curry leaves at the right moment for maximum aroma.
Essential Tools for a Smooth Cooking Experience
A few good tools make this process effortless.
Wok or Deep Pan: Provides even heat and enough space to fry the prawns properly.
Slotted Spoon: Helps remove prawns and egg floss without excess oil.
Small Saucepan: Ideal for preparing the creamy butter sauce.
Whisk: Essential for creating fine egg strands.
Paper Towels: For draining excess oil.
Ingredients You Will Need For This Flavor Packed Dish
The beauty of this dish lies in how simple ingredients come together in harmony.
- Large Prawns: 500 grams, peeled and deveined, tails on for presentation, the star of the dish.
- Salt: 1 teaspoon, enhances the natural sweetness of the prawns.
- Black Pepper: 1 teaspoon, adds mild heat.
- Cornstarch: 3 tablespoons, helps create a light crisp coating.
- Unsalted Butter: 4 tablespoons, forms the rich base of the sauce.
- Garlic: 4 cloves, minced, builds savory depth.
- Curry Leaves: 10 fresh leaves, for fragrance.
- Evaporated Milk: 120 milliliters, gives the sauce its creamy body.
- Sugar: 1 teaspoon, balances the savory notes.
- Eggs: 2 large, lightly beaten, for the signature floss.
- Vegetable Oil: 500 milliliters, for frying.

Flexible Ingredient Swaps You Can Try
Sometimes you work with what you have, and that is perfectly fine.
Large Prawns: Medium prawns.
Evaporated Milk: Light cream.
Unsalted Butter: Salted butter, reduce added salt slightly.
Cornstarch: Rice flour.
Spotlight on the Stars of the Plate
Large Prawns: Fresh prawns bring natural sweetness and a tender bite that defines the dish.
Curry Leaves: These add a distinct aroma that lifts the buttery richness and keeps the flavor balanced.
Let’s Get Cooking Together
This is where the fun really begins. Take a deep breath and enjoy the process.
- Preheat Your Equipment: Heat vegetable oil in a wok over medium heat until it reaches frying temperature.
- Combine Ingredients: Season prawns with salt and black pepper, then toss with cornstarch until lightly coated.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: In a separate small saucepan, melt butter over medium low heat.
- Assemble the Dish: Fry prawns in batches for about 2 to 3 minutes until lightly golden and just cooked. Remove and drain. In hot oil, slowly pour beaten eggs through a whisk to create fine egg floss. Fry briefly until light and crisp, then remove and drain.
- Cook to Perfection: To the melted butter, add garlic and curry leaves, sauté until fragrant. Stir in evaporated milk and sugar. Simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened. Return prawns to the sauce and toss to coat.
- Finishing Touches: Transfer coated prawns to a serving plate and generously top with egg floss.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve immediately while hot and aromatic. Let me tell you, it’s worth every bite.
The Magic of Texture and Flavor
The first bite gives you crisp edges from the prawns, followed by a silky buttery sauce that wraps around each piece. Then comes the airy egg floss, light and delicate, almost dissolving instantly. The curry leaves add bursts of fragrance that cut through the richness, keeping everything balanced.
Extra Cooking Tips for Success
A few helpful pointers can make all the difference.
- Do not overcrowd the pan when frying prawns.
- Keep egg oil hot but not smoking for fine strands.
- Simmer sauce gently to prevent splitting.
- Serve immediately for best texture.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
It is easy to fix small issues once you know them.
- Overcooking prawns, cook just until opaque.
- Burning garlic, keep heat moderate.
- Making sauce too thick, add a splash of milk if needed.
- Letting egg floss sit too long uncovered, it can lose crispness.
Nutritional Snapshot
Servings: 4
Calories per serving: 520
Note: These are approximate values.
Time Breakdown for Easy Planning
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Make Ahead and Storage Guide
You can clean and season the prawns a few hours ahead and keep them chilled. The sauce ingredients can also be measured in advance. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a pan over low heat. Freezing is not recommended as the texture may change.
Serving Ideas That Elevate the Experience
Serve with steamed jasmine rice to soak up the creamy sauce. It also pairs beautifully with simple stir fried greens. For gatherings, present it on a large platter so the golden egg floss creates that wow factor.
Creative Ways to Reinvent Leftovers
Toss leftovers into fried rice for a quick seafood twist. Add them to noodles with extra sauce for a comforting bowl. You can even use chopped prawns as a filling for savory wraps.
A Few Final Helpful Tips
Always use fresh curry leaves if possible for maximum aroma. Taste the sauce before adding the prawns back in and adjust seasoning gently. Keep everything warm but not overcooked.
Make It Visually Stunning
Pile the egg floss high for drama. Use a wide white plate to let the golden tones stand out. A sprinkle of extra curry leaves on top makes it look vibrant and inviting.
Fun Variations to Experiment With
Add a pinch of chili flakes for subtle heat.
Include sliced red chili for color and spice.
Use jumbo prawns for a more dramatic presentation.
Add a squeeze of fresh lime before serving for brightness.
FAQ’s
Q1: Can I use frozen prawns?
Yes, just thaw completely and pat dry before cooking.
Q2: How do I know when prawns are cooked?
They turn opaque and curl into a loose C shape.
Q3: Can I make it less rich?
Reduce butter slightly and add more evaporated milk.
Q4: Is this dish spicy?
Not naturally, but you can add heat if you like.
Q5: Can I prepare the egg floss ahead?
It is best fresh, as it loses crispness over time.
Q6: What oil is best for frying?
Neutral oils like vegetable oil work best.
Q7: Can I skip curry leaves?
They add unique aroma, but you can omit if unavailable.
Q8: Why did my sauce separate?
Heat may have been too high, keep it gentle.
Q9: Can I double the recipe?
Yes, just fry in batches to avoid overcrowding.
Q10: What rice pairs best?
Steamed jasmine rice is ideal.
Conclusion
Egg Floss Butter Prawns brings together richness, texture, and aroma in the most comforting way. It feels special yet approachable, and once you make it at home, you will realize just how simple it truly is. This one’s a total game changer, and I promise it will earn a permanent place at your table.
Print
Egg Floss Butter Prawns
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Malaysian
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
Juicy prawns coated in a creamy butter sauce and topped with delicate egg floss and fragrant curry leaves, creating a rich and satisfying seafood dish.
Ingredients
- 500 grams large prawns, peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 10 fresh curry leaves
- 120 milliliters evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 500 milliliters vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Season prawns with salt and black pepper, then coat evenly with cornstarch.
- Heat vegetable oil in a wok over medium heat.
- Fry prawns in batches for 2 to 3 minutes until lightly golden and cooked through. Remove and drain.
- Pour beaten eggs slowly through a whisk into the hot oil to form fine egg floss. Fry briefly until crisp and remove to drain.
- In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium low heat.
- Add minced garlic and curry leaves, sauté until fragrant.
- Stir in evaporated milk and sugar, simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Return fried prawns to the sauce and toss to coat evenly.
- Transfer to a serving plate and top generously with egg floss before serving.
Notes
- Do not overcook the prawns as they can become rubbery.
- Keep heat moderate when preparing the butter sauce to prevent splitting.
- Serve immediately for the best texture contrast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 280mg
Keywords: butter prawns, egg floss prawns, Malaysian seafood, creamy prawn dish
