A Guide to Making Spicy Korean Marinated Crab at Home 🦀
- Up and Down Story
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
What is Yangnyeom Gejang?🦀
Yangnyeom Gejang is a Korean delicacy that’s basically raw crabs marinated in a spicy, savory sauce. It’s a flavor explosion that’s sweet, spicy, and umami all at once. This dish is a staple in Korean cuisine, and it’s not just food – it’s an experience. Whether you’re a foodie looking to explore new tastes or just curious about Korean culture, you’re in for a treat. Let’s dive into what makes Yangnyeom Gejang so special and why you might just get hooked after the first bite!
🦀 If you’ve ever tasted Yangnyeom Gejang
If you’ve ever tasted Yangnyeom Gejang, you know that first bite is an explosion of flavor—sweet, spicy, and incredibly savory all at once. Now, imagine recreating that experience in your kitchen. How amazing would it be to have that intense, mouthwatering taste right at home, whenever you crave it? Let’s explore how you can bring this iconic Korean dish to your table.
Currently, blue crabs are in season in the U.S., making them plump and ideal for this dish. Using live crabs enhances the freshness and flavor compared to frozen ones. I specifically chose female crabs this time because they are full of roe, providing a richer and deeper taste.
How do you tell if a crab is male or female? There’s a trick!
📍 Did you know how to tell male and female crabs apart? Flip the crab over. If the line in the center of its belly is rounded, it’s a female; if it’s triangular, it’s a male.
Left photo -- Female, Right photo -- Male
📍 If you can choose only females when buying, that would be ideal. They have roe, which significantly enhances the flavor.
🦀 Super Easy and Delicious, Korean Spicy marinated Crab– Just Clean the Crabs and Mix the Seasoning!
The seasoning is the most important part of seasoned crab, right? So, I’ve meticulously measured the ingredients for you. It’s simple—just clean the crabs well and toss them in the seasoning, and you’re done!
My daughter came over to make it with me, and she couldn’t stop raving about how delicious it was, finishing an entire bowl of rice. This seasoned crab is truly outstanding, so make sure to give it a try! 😄
🛒 Korean Spicy marinated Crab Ingredients (for 4 blue crabs)
4 Blue Crabs
Green onions (chopped)
Sesame seeds
[Seasoning Ingredients]
Soy sauce 2oz -- I used low-sodium soy sauce, but regular soy sauce works too.
Gochugaru(Korean red pepper powder) 5T
Sugar 2T
Corn syrup or oligo syrup 1-2T
Mirin 2T
Garlic 1 T
Ginger (about 1/3 the amount of garlic)
Salt 1/3 tsp
Pepper 1/2 tsp
📍 About the ginger amount: I always stick to a ratio of 1/3 of garlic. Be careful not to use too much ginger, as it can become bitter; however, using 1/3 to 1/2 of garlic is safe. Ideally, you want just a hint of ginger flavor when the seasonings are mixed.
Oligo Syrup -- https://a.co/d/42pYNF3Are
Mirin -- https://a.co/d/1UvppE6
📍 In Austin, Texas, where I live, you can find blue crabs at H Mart and Hana Market.
🍳 Recipe
Clean the crabs
1) First, place the blue crabs in the freezer for 30 minutes or in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours. When crabs are in a cold environment, they become sluggish, making it easier to clean them quickly.
2) Set aside the claws to clean them separately, and remove the ends of the legs where there’s no meat.
3) Use a small brush to scrub the belly, back, between the legs, and the mouth thoroughly.
4) Remove the loose shell under the mouth.
5) Open the belly shell and clean the inside as well.
6) Grasp the belly shell and firmly detach it from the body and back shell. This task can be challenging, particularly with Louisiana crabs available in Texas. You might consider asking your husband for assistance! Haha.
7) Avoid touching the sand sac above the back shell (under the eyes) and use a spoon to scrape out the roe and insides into a bowl.
8) For the set-aside claws, remove the sharp parts, cut them in half, and crack the hard shells for easier eating.
9) Remove the sharp parts, gills, and mouth area from the body.
10) Cut the body into two pieces for easy eating.
2. Prepare the seasoning (for 4 crabs) Mix together :
- 5T of red pepper flakes
- 2oz soy sauce
- 2T of sugar
- 1-2T of corn syrup or oligo syrup
- 2T of mirin,
- 1 heaping spoonful of garlic
- 1/3 of ginger
- 1/3 tsp of salt
- 1/2 tsp of pepper.
Chop the green onions.
In a large bowl, combine the cleaned crabs, seasoning, chopped green onions, and sesame seeds, and mix well.
Gently fold in the reserved crab roe and innards, being careful not to crush them. That’s done! Put it in a container and keep it in the fridge.
📌 Cooking Tip
I suggest consuming it within 3-4 days for a fresh taste.
The leftover seasoning is tasty when mixed with rice or used in fried rice!
Frozen crabs are an option, but fresh, in-season crabs provide a much richer and fresher flavor.
Blue crabs are in season from May to November. They are as meaty as Korean crabs and incredibly delicious! Be adventurous and give it a try. I hope this delightful dish finds a place on your dining table! 😊
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