Myeongdong Street Food: SHRIMP KING Fried Shrimp — ₩10,000 a Cup, 10 Sauces, Cash Only
If you're hunting for fried shrimp among Myeongdong's street food stalls, remember the blue sign that reads SHRIMP KING. Two items are on the menu — FRIED SHRIMP and MADE ANCHOR BUTTER — and both cost ₩10,000. Each cup holds 6 to 8 raw shrimp, large ones, the size you'd expect from cocktail shrimp. The first thing to know before you walk up: SHRIMP KING takes cash only.
What kind of stall is SHRIMP KING in Myeongdong?
SHRIMP KING does one thing: fried shrimp. The blue overhead sign shows a crowned shrimp character next to the words not used pig! and a cartoon pig with a large X drawn through it. At the far right edge of the sign, a separate notice states that soybean oil is used for frying.
On the day I took these photos, a young male vendor was lifting a basket of shrimp out of the oil while explaining the menu to a foreign customer, a man who looked to be in his fifties. The customer stood there watching the whole thing cook.
Behind the stall hangs a sign reading "Give me the trash", printed in four languages — Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese. Someone clearly thought about what happens when you're holding an empty cup on a crowded street with no bin in sight. Hand it back to the vendor; that's what the sign is for.
I buy food at every stall I cover, partly to support the vendors. SHRIMP KING was no exception. So let's start with what's actually on the menu and what it costs.
How much does fried shrimp cost at SHRIMP KING?
SHRIMP KING has two menu items, and both cost ₩10,000. A standing board on the right side of the stall lists both prices side by side, with a photo of a New Zealand ANCHOR butter box printed at the top.
| Menu | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| FRIED SHRIMP | ₩10,000 | 6–8 raw shrimp, served in a cup |
| MADE ANCHOR BUTTER | ₩10,000 | Made with New Zealand ANCHOR butter |
The difference between the two comes down to butter. MADE ANCHOR BUTTER is prepared using ANCHOR, a New Zealand butter product.
The frying oil is soybean oil. One practical tip: since the two items cost exactly the same, a group of two or more can order one of each and split them instead of agonizing over the choice.
How is the fried shrimp served?
SHRIMP KING serves its fried shrimp in a paper cup. The shrimp are raw before frying, large and meaty like cocktail shrimp, and each cup holds 6 to 8 of them.
On the white display stand above the counter, several cups of fried shrimp sit ready to go. The vendor keeps about five cups prepared in advance so the line moves quickly. Next to them, the oil pot and a large stainless bowl of batter sit out in the open.
If pre-made food isn't your thing, there's a way around it. The vendor will fry a fresh batch on the spot if you ask, so just say so when you order.
Beside the cups, a container holds a bundle of long wooden skewers. Use one and you can eat without touching the shrimp with your fingers. Standing on a crowded street with nowhere to sit, that skewer earns its keep.
How many sauces can you choose from?
SHRIMP KING keeps 10 different sauces on hand, set out separately from the food. Spicy ketchup, mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, black pepper, herb salt, and garlic powder are among them, lined up in a row along the front of the counter.
Here's the part that matters: the vendor doesn't portion the sauce out for you. You apply whatever you want, in whatever amount you want.
If spice isn't your thing, the herb salt or mayonnaise end of the row is where you'll gravitate. If you want something sweet and tangy, reach for the sweet chili. Season it the way you like it.
What does the "not used pig" sign mean?
The SHRIMP KING sign carries the phrase NOT USED PIG. It means the stall doesn't use pork — worth a look if you avoid pork for religious or personal reasons.
One thing needs to be stated plainly, though. This stall does not hold a halal certificate. NOT USED PIG is a notice the vendor put up himself, and that isn't the same as formal certification.
If certification matters to you, know the difference and decide accordingly. You can also just ask the vendor directly — the staff here are young and basic communication works fine. Next, the question travelers ask most: how to pay.
Does SHRIMP KING accept cards?
SHRIMP KING is cash only. No cards, no mobile payment apps.
- Payment: cash only
- Card payment: not accepted
- Mobile pay: not accepted
I asked the vendor why. Because they sell fried food, he said, oil ends up on cards and phones during payment, and he'd rather customers not deal with that. So the stall stays cash only.
It reads as consideration for tourists who'd rather not walk away with a greasy phone. Bring cash if SHRIMP KING is on your list.
What did the fried shrimp actually taste like?
I went with FRIED SHRIMP and sweet chili sauce. The coating was crisp, the way fried food should be, and the shrimp inside stayed soft with that firm snap to it. The texture was the part I liked most.
What surprised me was the volume. With 6 to 8 large shrimp in the cup, it works as a full meal replacement.
So if the plan was one snack before moving on to the next stop, factor that in when you order. This cup can stand in for lunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is fried shrimp at SHRIMP KING?
Both menu items cost ₩10,000. FRIED SHRIMP and MADE ANCHOR BUTTER are priced identically, with MADE ANCHOR BUTTER prepared using ANCHOR butter from New Zealand.
Can I pay by card or mobile payment?
No. SHRIMP KING accepts cash only. The vendor explained that because they sell fried food, oil gets onto cards and phones during payment, and he'd rather customers avoid that, so the stall stays cash only.
How many shrimp come in one cup?
Each cup holds 6 to 8 shrimp. They're large and meaty, similar to cocktail shrimp, fried and served in a cup. A long wooden skewer comes with it so you can eat without touching the shrimp.
Can I add the sauces myself?
Yes. Ten sauces are set out separately, including spicy ketchup, mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, black pepper, herb salt, and garlic powder. You apply whatever flavor and amount you want.
Is this stall halal certified?
No, there is no halal certificate. The sign does carry the phrase NOT USED PIG, indicating that pork isn't used. Keep in mind that this differs from formal certification when you decide.
Where to next in Myeongdong?
Once one cup of fried shrimp has filled you up, the next question is what else to eat around Myeongdong. Prices and payment methods vary from stall to stall, so knowing in advance saves you trouble.
Have a look at my other Myeongdong street food reports and the local travel information I've put together. Which stall are you curious about next?
