Seafood

Ginataang Hipon

Cooking 20 mins Prep 15 mins Serves 4
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Ginataang Hipon

Ginataang Hipon: Shrimp in Coconut Milk

Shrimp simmered in coconut milk with garlic, ginger, squash and long beans: a bright, creamy dish that takes less than half an hour.

About Ginataang Hipon

Ginataang hipon is shrimp simmered in coconut milk with garlic, ginger, squash and long beans. It is creamy, bright and fast, ready in about 35 minutes, and a favorite in the Bicol region and across the Visayas.

Ginataang hipon is a quick, creamy dish that works as a weeknight meal. The shrimp cook in minutes, so it is important not to overcook them. The coconut milk sauce is lightly sweet and balanced with ginger and chilies.

Ingredient notes

  • Shrimp: peeled or with shells for flavor.
  • Coconut milk: use full-fat for creaminess.
  • Kabocha squash and long beans: the vegetables.
  • Ginger and garlic: the aromatics.

Tips for the best Ginataang Hipon

  1. Simmer gently. To keep the coconut milk smooth.
  2. Cook the squash first. It takes longest.
  3. Add shrimp last. They cook in minutes.
  4. Add the beans late. So they stay crisp.
  5. Season at the end. With fish sauce.

What to serve with Ginataang Hipon

Serve with steamed rice.

Variations and substitutions

Storing and reheating

Refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat gently so the shrimp stay tender.

Frequently asked questions

Why did the sauce separate?

The heat was too high.

Can I use frozen shrimp?

Yes, thaw them first.

Can I make it spicy?

Add sliced chilies to the sauce.

More Filipino recipes you might like

Paksiw na Isda, Daing na Bangus and Sinigang na Hipon.

Ingredients

4 servings
  • Shrimppeeled500 g
  • Coconut milk360 ml
  • Garlicminced3 cloves
  • Onionsliced1
  • Gingersliced1 tbsp
  • Kabocha squashcubed200 g
  • Long green bean100 g
  • Fish sauce1½ tbsp
  • Cooking oil1 tbsp

Optional ingredients

  • Bird's eye chili (siling labuyo)2

Instructions

  1. 1

    Sauté the garlic, onion and ginger in the oil until soft.

    medium heat ~3 mins
  2. 2

    Add the squash and half the coconut milk and simmer until the squash is almost tender.

    low heat ~10 mins
  3. 3

    Add the remaining coconut milk, fish sauce, beans and chilies and simmer 4 minutes.

    low heat ~4 mins
  4. 4

    Add the shrimp and cook until pink. Serve hot.

    low heat ~3 mins

Notes

  1. 1. Variation

    Use crab or fish instead of shrimp.

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Photo: Ginataang kalabasa at hipon (shrimp, calabaza, green beans, and eggplant in coconut milk) - Philippines.jpg by Yvette Tan via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.