Prawns Wrapped in Vermicelli Noodles (Kung Sarong)

Kung Sarong is a simple delicacy which dates back to old style traditional Thai cuisine. In Thailand, the name for this dish varies slightly from Kung Sarong to Gung Saring. In Thai, the word ‘Kung’ translates to ‘prawn’ and ‘Sarong’ by definition, refers to a large length of fabric often wrapped around the waist by and is commonly worn in South-east Asia, as well as many other areas of the world. The name of this dish basically describes an appetiser in which prawns are wrapped in vermicelli noodles and deep fried to create a crispy texture on the outer layer, while the prawns on the inside are flavoursome and soft.

Prawns are one of the easiest types of seafood to prepare and Kung Sarong makes for an impressive starter or appetiser at any dinner party or celebration. Kung Sarong can also simply be eaten as a light snack. This dish is easy to make and requires few ingredients to achieve a fantastic taste with minimal effort.

A few tips to help you achieve the best results are to always use either fresh king prawns or tiger prawns, not the smaller varieties. This will make it easier when wrapping the noodles around the prawns. The ideal amount of noodles to wrap around the prawns will depend on the variety and thickness being used, however, vermicelli noodles are typically thin and 5-6 strands are ideal. Be sure not to wrap the noodles too tightly around the prawns, a little movement will allow the oil to thoroughly cook the prawns equally though. Also, before deep frying the wrapped prawns, always test the heat of the oil by using a small strand of noodle. If the noodle rises and expands, your oil is ready to use in this recipe to make Kung Sarong.