Mix all the ingredients for marinade together in a bowl. Whisk until sugar dissolves.
Toss shrimp in marinade, cover, and set at room temperature for 30 minutes. For chicken, marinate in the fridge for 1-4 hours.
When ready to cook, remove meat from marinade, and reserve the marinade in a small pan. Bring the reserved marinade to a simmer and simmer for at lest 5 minutes.
Heat oil in a skillet and brown on one side of the shrimp or chicken before flipping.
Garnish with sesame seeds, scallions, and/or cilantro.