Trader Joe’s Spicy Shrimp Appetizer Duo

For about a month, I’ve been putting together a list of the worst things I’ve had from Trader Joe’s. If this wasn’t seasonal, it would make the list. How bad was it? Well, the conversation in my household went something like this:

“How was lunch, honey?” my husband asked me.

“I’m making a new one,” I responded.

“Why?” he inquired.

“This was the biggest Trader No’s I’ve had in a while.” “Seriously?” “Seriously.”

Not since the Beef Cabbage Rolls and the Carrot Cake Spread did I feel such instant negativity. 

I usually like all things Asian inspired at Trader Joe’s. There are honestly few things I disliked.

And then I had this box. 

Now, when I saw these, I thought these were the replacement for the Shrimp and Salmon Trio of last year which were pretty good.

But Trader Joe’s likes to mix things up from time to time. Since the previously mentioned item was pretty good, I didn’t hesitate to pick these up. 

I mean, I like the Lemongrass Chicken Stix, so why wouldn’t I like these?

Well for starters, for two things that are supposed to taste different, the feeling seemed very similar. It was the same notes of shrimp and spice.

But the wontons were overpoweringly lemongrass-y. I felt like I was chomping on the herb itself. Then there was a problem with cooking the wonton. They were cooked on either end, but managed to be soft on the equator like line that developed when you flip over food.

And then there were the shrimp rolls, while shrimp was up there in the filling ingredients, the flavor was buried under all the other flavors. As an added detractor, these seemed fishier than usual. I know shrimp is shrimp, but it didn’t have that familiar freshness to it.

So these were three note appetizers: fishy, spicy, and greasy. All the kiss of death in my book. Even though I didn’t have breakfast and was starving by the time I cracked into these, I had no desire to push myself beyond eating one of each. That was even a stretch.

I managed to have one of each, before returning them to their rightful place: in the trash can.

And while some form of sauce is pictured here, it’s only a serving suggestion. There is no sauce that would bring some balance to these.

For $4.99 this was probably my least favorite appetizer I’ve tried this year.

Did you try it?  Let me know what you think in the comments section!

Here is the visual run down of what you get if you buy this product:

The box of Trader Joe’s Spicy Shrimp Appetizer Duo:

The nutritional information:

The ingredients:

How to prepare:

After being cooked you get:

Want to see more items I’ve reviewed from Trader Joe’s?  Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe’s for a searchable list.

The Bottom Line

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Trader Joe's Spicy Shrimp Appetizer Duo

Product Name: Trader Joe's Spicy Shrimp Appetizer Duo

Product Description: Lemongrass shrimp wontons and Kung Pao Shrimp Rolls

Price: $4.99

1.33

Summary

Trader Joe’s Spicy Shrimp Appetizer Duo is a dozen shrimp filled appetizers

• Taste
• Value
• Worthy of Repurchasing

Pros

• Another quick appetizer in the freezer section
• They do look pretty

Cons

• Overwhelming flavor of lemongrass
• Shrimp was lacking

User Review

1 (1 vote)