Is there MSG in this?

The packaging doesn't indicate any MSG.

Is this all one slab? Belacan is packaged sometimes as a slab and sometimes in pieces of an ounce or so.

Yes it is sold in a slab … like a slab of butter. I usually take a small slice, put it back in the package. Put it in a ziploc bag, and refrigerate to maintain its freshness.

My chef is asking for shrimp paste to make his shrimp bisque. Would anyone recommend this for making soup?

I use Better Than Bouillon Lobster base for my shrimp chowder. You definitely don’t want this product for bisque!

can you eat it as it is? without cooking trying to make sambai

I wouldn’t eat it as it is. Usually I heat it up in a pan or I use a fork and toast it on the open fire on the stove until fragrant, then only i add it into the onions, garlic, ginger and shallots while frying them in hot oil.