Make batter by combining 150 g cake flour, 50 g corn starch, ½ tsp baking powder, ⅛ tsp ground black pepper, ⅛ tsp white pepper powder, 1 tsp salt and ¼ tsp turmeric powder. Turmeric is optional, but it gives a really nice golden colour to the oysters
Add icy cold water a little at a time and gently mix together using a slow motion so that the glutens don’t form bonds. Mix until the batter is smooth and thick but not doughy. Cover with plastic wrap and put in the fridge for 30 minutes Depending on the flour, the amount of water may vary. So add a bit at a time until it is thick but runny enough to be poured. I added 275 ml of icy cold water to mine
Rinse oysters with water. Place oysters in a bowl, add 2 tbsp corn starch, mix gently and let it sit for 5 minutes
Rinse each oyster gently and try to remove any impurities with your fingers.
Use a spoon to gently scratch off black rims on the oyster
Put into colander to dry
After the batter has chilled in the fridge for 30 minutes, add 1 ½ tbsp of oil into the batter and mix gently until well mixed
Dry the oysters with paper towels
Heat 1 L of oil in a wok, pot or deep fryer until the oil is approx. 160˚C or 325˚F (if using wooden chopsticks to test oil, it’s when little bubbles form around the chopstick)
Coat each oyster with a light coat of corn starch so that the batter will better adhere to the oyster
Dip the oyster into the batter, completely covering it and then place it into the oil. Do not overcrowd the pot as the batter may stick to each other Oysters should be at room temperature when ready to fry
Fry each oyster for approx. 3 minutes until the batter turns a light golden colour
Remove the oysters from the oil and place on cooling rack Oysters are not ready to eat, they need to be fried one more time
Increase the heat and heat the oil to 200˚C or 400˚F. Put the oysters back into the oil and fry for approx. 1 minute until they become golden in colour
Serve on their own, with oyster sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt or sweet chili sauce