Fried Shrimp Day (Ebi Furai no Hi)

What Is Fried Shrimp Day?

June 21 is "Fried Shrimp Day" (Ebi Furai no Hi) in Japan. It was established by Aji no Chinuya Co., Ltd., a frozen food manufacturer based in Mitoyo, Kagawa Prefecture. The date comes from the way a curled shrimp looks like the number "6," plus a wordplay reading 21 as "fu (2) - rai (1)," as in "furai" (fry). The aim is to get people to enjoy more delicious fried shrimp. June 21 is also "Let's All Eat Fried Shrimp Day," created jointly by two Western-style restaurants in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture (Bistro Takedaya and Yōshoku Bambi), and registered with the Japan Anniversary Association in 2025.

Fried Shrimp, a Western-Style Dish Born in Japan

Ebi furai, shrimp coated in panko breadcrumbs and deep-fried, is a classic yōshoku (Japanese-style Western) dish that originated in Japan.

• Born in the Meiji era: There are several theories about its origin. One says that around 1900, after fried cutlets became popular at Rengatei, a Western-style restaurant in Ginza, Tokyo, fried shrimp was created using the same method.
• A "Nagoya specialty": Fried shrimp is said to have become known as a Nagoya specialty after the comedian Tamori joked about it as "ebi furyā," imitating the Nagoya dialect.

The Shrimp Used for Fried Shrimp

High-end restaurants often use kuruma prawns, while black tiger prawns are common elsewhere. Whiteleg shrimp (vannamei) is often used in frozen products.

Interesting Facts About Fried Shrimp

• How to fry them straight: Making a few small cuts on the underside of the shrimp keeps it from curling up when cooked.
• Why shrimp turns red: Shrimp shells contain a pigment called astaxanthin. When raw, it is bound to proteins and looks bluish; heat changes those proteins and reveals the red color.
• Eat the tail or leave it?: Shrimp tails contain chitin and can be eaten, but they are sharp, so be careful not to hurt your mouth.
• Classic pairings: Fried shrimp is usually served with tartar sauce or Worcestershire-style sauce, alongside shredded cabbage or other vegetables.
• "Panko" abroad: Japanese breadcrumbs are known overseas as "panko" and are used to give coatings a crisp texture.

Ideas for Fried Shrimp Day

• Choose fried shrimp for dinner or your lunch box.
• Ask family or coworkers whether they prefer tartar sauce or regular sauce.
• If you fry them at home, try making straight fried shrimp by scoring them first.
• Enjoy freshly fried shrimp at a nearby yōshoku restaurant.

A Slightly Quirky Day That Sees a "6" in a Curled Shrimp

June 21 is a fried shrimp day born from the shape of a curled shrimp and a wordplay on "fry." Take a little extra time today to savor this dish that is said to have been born in a Meiji-era Western-style restaurant.