Is it safe to eat the shell on shrimp

Question

I got some Chinese food and the shrimp came with the shell on them. It was such a hastle to peel them so I just ate them shell, legs and all (it was all cooked, kinda fried in some type of seasoning). It didn't mind it so much, just made it a little crispier, but I'm wondering if it's safe to eat the whole shrimp like that?

Answer 1

The shells are safe and edible but the are tough which is why they are generally peeled off.  If you don't mind the crunch, enjoy.

Answer 2

Yeah, its safe. No worries. I usually make shrimp stock out of the shells.

But they're kinda tough and not very easy to digest, which is why people usually don't eat them.

But if you don't mind the tougness, then theres no problem at all.

Answer 3

no its not safe only if its fried shrimp.

Answer 4

As other poster mentioned - yes it is safe. And in the case of what you ordered, which I'm guessing is salt-fried shrimp, you are supposed to eat the shells, heads, tail, feet, all of it. I usually eat about 1/2 dozen like that and then get tired of so much brain gunk that I start ripping off the heads and tail. The funny part is when the little legs get stuck between your teeth.