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Succulent juicy prawns are fried and then tossed in a fragrant mix of buttery cereal mix and aromatic curry leaves. The cereal butter prawn stands as a shining example of Singapore’s culinary prowess.
Mention this Cereal Butter Prawn to Singaporeans and Malaysians and they will tell you how delicious this dish is. I have to agree!! A friend brought me to this seafood place many years ago and ordered one of their famous dishes, which was what they called Nestum cereal prawns. A friend brought me to this seafood place many years ago and ordered one of their famous dishes, which was what they called Nestum cereal prawns. Let’s say…I got hooked to this date.
What is cereal butter prawn?
Just as its name implies, this dish is made with Nestum cereal, butter, big juicy prawns, curry leaves, and seasonings. The prawns are typically marinated with egg, salt, and flour and then fried until crispy. Curry leaves and chili are stir-fried in a generous amount of butter and then tossed with the cereal. The prawns are then added and tossed with the amazing cereal mix.
What makes it so good?
One of the key reasons why cereal butter prawn has gained popularity is the irresistible combination of flavors. The prawns are sweet, juicy, and tender, while the cereal coating adds a delightful crunchiness and a hint of sweetness. The aromatic curry leaves infuse the dish with a distinctly Southeast Asian essence, while the chili provides a gentle kick of spice. The buttery richness ties all the elements together, creating a symphony of flavors that lingers on the palate.
What type of prawn to use?
You want extra large/jumbo-size prawns. I have cooked this dish with the heads, shells, and tails still intact. I have also cooked them without the heads and just the shells. I have also cooked them without the heads and shells. My kids prefer the latter because it’s easier for them to eat. They don’t like to eat the shells even though they are crunchy after frying.
This post was last published in 2018 and has been updated with new photos and improved recipe on June 4, 2023.
Cereal Butter Prawn (Mai Pian Xia)
Ingredients
- 400 gr large prawns heads and shells on
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 egg white beaten
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- Cooking oil for deep frying
Cereal mixture:
- 100 gr Nestum cereal original version. see notes
- 1 Tbsp fine sugar
- 1 ½ Tbsp milk powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp chicken powder or chicken bouillon
Other ingredients:
- 45 g butter
- 2 -3 red chilis seeded and finely chopped
- 10 sprigs of fresh curry leaves picked
Instructions
Preparing the prawns:
- You can use prawns with or without the heads. My kids actually prefer them without the shells too. So sometimes I made these without the shells too
- Gently run a knife at the back of the prawns to slit open and remove the vein. Use kitchen scissors to trim off the antenna. Keep the rest of the shells and heads if you choose to. Pat the prawn really dry with absorbent paper towel
- Add salt and egg white to the prawns and toss to combine. Sprinkle in the flour and mix to coat the prawns
- Preheat some oil for deep-frying in a deep pot, enough to submerge the prawns in the oil. Deep-fry the prawns until pink, golden and crunchy. Be careful not to overcook the prawn. Place on top of paper towel to drain off excess oil
Making the cereal mixture:
- In a bowl, combine the Nestum cereal, sugar, salt, chicken powder/chicken bouillon (mashed/crushed) and milk powder. Whisk to mix everything. In another skillet, melt the butter. Add the chili and curry leaves and stir-fry until fragrant. The curry leaves will crisp up too. Add cereal mixture and continue to stir-fry until light golden brown. Take care not to burn it as there's sugar Add the prawns to the mixture and stir everything to combine. Have a taste of the cereal mixture and adjust by adding more salt and/or sugar to your liking. It should be salty, buttery and slightly sweet
- Dish out to serving platter and serve immediately with rice as part of multi-course meal
Marv’s Recipe Notes
*Nutrition facts are just estimates and calculated using online tools*
How to cook cereal butter prawns
1. You can use prawns with or without the heads. My kids actually prefer them without the shells too. So sometimes I made these without the shells too
2. Gently run a knife at the back of the prawns to slit open and remove the vein. Use kitchen scissors to trim off the antenna. Keep the rest of the shells and heads if you choose to. Pat the prawn really dry with an absorbent paper towel. Add salt and egg white to the prawns and toss to combine. Sprinkle in the flour and mix to coat the prawns
3. Preheat some oil for deep-frying in a deep pot, enough to submerge the prawns in the oil. Deep-fry the prawns until pink, golden and crunchy. Be careful not to overcook the prawn. Place on top of a paper towel to drain off excess oil
4. In a bowl, combine the Nestum cereal, sugar, salt, chicken powder/chicken bouillon (mashed/crushed) and milk powder. Gently toss to mix everything.
5. In another skillet, melt the butter. 
6. Add the chili and curry leaves and stir-fry until fragrant. The curry leaves will crisp up too.
7. Add Nestum cereal mixture and continue to stir-fry until the cereal is light golden brown. Take care not to burn it as there’s sugar 
8. Add the prawns to the mixture and stir everything to combine. Have a taste of the cereal mixture and adjust by adding more salt and/or sugar to your liking. It should be salty, buttery and slightly sweet
Did you make this cereal butter prawn recipe?
I love it when you guys snap a photo and tag it to show me what you’ve made. Simply tag me @WhatToCookToday #WhatToCookToday on Instagram and I’ll be sure to stop by and take a peek for real!
6 comments
Hi! I really want to make this. But not being familiar with the ingredients or having tasted this before…..I found nestum but there are so many varieties. Which type of nestum should i get? and what kind of milk powder are you using? whole milk powder? thank you for your help! looking forward to making this!
Hi Smita, get the Nestum Original. Here’s an affiliate link just to show you how it looks like http://amzn.to/2GyEMUv and get the whole milk powder. You can use non-fat milk powder too if you prefer. Hope that helps. Let me know if anything else is unclear.
I’m curious as to what Netsum cereal actually is? Is there anything you can compare it to? Those prawns look incredible! Wish I was sitting down to a plateful right now.
Nestum cereal is basically an instant cereal that is very popular in Asia, especially Southeast Asia. I can’t really think of anything that is really similar to it here, to be honest! Not even the instant oats.
I try this one…. LIKE it so much…. ^^
Thank you for sharing the recipe…
I’m glad you did. It’s my favorite too 🙂