Shrimp paste, also known as prawn sauce, is a fermented condiment popular in Southeast Asian and Southern Chinese cuisines. It is made primarily of finely crushed shrimp or krill mixed with salt and fermented for several weeks. It is bursting with strong, umami notes, and even a small amount adds incredible range to a dish. If you can’t stand strong odours like Durian, you’re probably not going to like the smell of belacan. The belacan is always toasted and used sparingly, adding a savoury depth to curries and pastes. The belacan will emit an unsettlingly smoky, burning odour, indicating that it is toasting nicely. Just remember to have good ventilation when cooking with belacan. If you’re interested in cooking with belacan, come and choose the best belacan to use from this list today!
1. Cap Arnab Shrimp Paste

You know how shrimp paste has that strong smell that could be hard to get rid off? Well, fret not, because Cap Arnab’s shrimp paste doesn’t have that strong of an odour and the quality of the shrimp paste itself is good. Come and try it out today!
Ingredients: Shrimp, Salt, Vegetable Oil
Country of Origin: Malaysia
Size Available: 450g
Price: RM7.50 (Shopee) | RM6.49 (Lazada)
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
2. ZR Shrimp Paste

A famous shrimp paste from Perlis, ZR Shrimp Paste has quite the reputation to uphold. The fresh shrimps they use are blended in a traditional way that’s been passed down for generations which is quite an amazing fit in itself! Come and enhance your meals with the help of ZR Shrimp Paste today!
Ingredients: Fresh Shrimp & Salt
Country of Origin: Malaysia
Size Available: 160g, 1kg
Price: RM5.00 (Shopee) | RM20.00 (Lazada)
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
3. Istiqomah Halim Shrimp Paste

A simple and convenient shrimp paste, Istiqomah Halim Shrimp Paste is surely a good shrimp paste to have around the house. With its quality shrimp paste, it will surely help to enhance your various meals without a hitch! Come and try it out today!
Ingredients: Sugar – Shrimp Water – Salt – Caramel and Benzoic
Country of Origin: Malaysia
Size Available: 210g
Price: RM3.85
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
check price on shopee4. Sung Tao Frozen Seafood Shrimp Paste

If you’re planning on making some shrimp wontons, this is a good shrimp paste to use. A little really does go a long way with this shrimp paste. Come and make delicious meals with this shrimp paste today.
Ingredients: Shrimp Meat, Water, Starch, Soybean Oil, Salt, Sugar, Gourmet Powder
Country of Origin: China
Size Available: 150g
Price: RM9.28
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
check price on shopee5. Nelayan Brand Kampung Asli Melayu Shrimp Paste

Sail the sea of various flavours with the help of Nelayan Brand Kampung Asli Melayu Shrimp Paste today. A quality shrimp paste that suits a variety of dishes, come and enhance those flavours even further with this shrimp paste today!
Ingredients: Shrimp & Salt
Country of Origin: Malaysia
Size Available: 100g
Price: RM2.50
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
check price on shopee6. Ladamas Shrimp Paste

A shrimp paste that’s easy to use, just a little bit of this is enough to help enhance your delicious meals. Come and use Ladamas Shrimp Paste today and taste the difference!
Ingredients: Shrimp & Salt
Country of Origin: Malaysia
Size Available: 200g
Price: RM3.20
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
check price on shopee7. Maepranom Thai Shrimp Paste

Mae Pranom Kapi Shrimp Paste is made of first class salted tiny shrimp. Kapi is a traditional flavor of Thai cuisine, similar to the Indonesian trassie. Kapi shrimp paste has a strong flavour which evaporates during cooking. Come and try it out today!
Ingredients: Shrimp (Crustacean) (90%), Salt, may also contain Fish.
Country of Origin: Thailand
Size Available: 350g
Price: RM13.90
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
8. Cap Udang & 6 Langit Pulau Penang Shrimp Paste

Break off however much you need of this shrimp paste and it will still last you a while. Cap Udang & 6 Langit Pulau Penang Shrimp Paste will surely enhance the flavours of your well cooked dishes. Come and try it out today!
Ingredients: Small shrimps, salt, water, soybean
Country of Origin: Malaysia
Size Available: 150g
Price: RM3.99
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
check price on shopeeNote: This list was compiled by the team at My Weekend Plan after extensive research and shared opinions to suggest helpful recommendations for the public. More Top 10s in Malaysia are waiting to be discovered, if you have any other great suggestions too, please email us [email protected] The sequence of brands is in no particular order.