Spicy & Sweet Marinated Raw Crab (Yangnyeom Gejang)
Master the Ultimate Golden Recipe for Yangnyeom Gejang
So many people have given my Yangnyeom Gejang a double thumbs-up that I’m confident in introducing it as the ‘Golden Recipe’! This dish is perfect for when you have a loss of appetite, guaranteed to help you finish a whole bowl of rice. Let’s get started!
Main Ingredients- 680g Frozen, Prepped Blue Crabs
Marinating Ingredients- 10 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Cooking Wine (e.g., Mirin)
Seasoning Ingredients- 5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili powder, fine grind)
- 1 Tbsp Fish Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1/2 tsp Minced Ginger
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Corn Syrup (Oligodang)
- 10 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Cooking Wine (e.g., Mirin)
Seasoning Ingredients- 5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili powder, fine grind)
- 1 Tbsp Fish Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1/2 tsp Minced Ginger
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Corn Syrup (Oligodang)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare 680g (approx. 1.5 lbs) of frozen, prepped blue crabs specifically for Yangnyeom Gejang. Rinse them gently under cold running water while still frozen to remove any impurities. Then, cut the body into serving-sized pieces. For the claws, lightly crush the shells to help the seasoning penetrate better.
Step 2
While the crabs are still frozen, combine them with 10 Tbsp of soy sauce and 2 Tbsp of cooking wine, mixing thoroughly. Cover the marinated crabs with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the flavors soak in. (TIP: Marinating the crabs while still frozen helps the crab meat stay firm and prevents it from breaking apart, ensuring a delightfully chewy texture.)
Step 3
To the crabs that have absorbed the initial marinade, add all the seasoning ingredients. Mix in 5 Tbsp of gochugaru, 1 Tbsp of fish sauce, 2 Tbsp of minced garlic, 1/2 tsp of minced ginger, 2 Tbsp of sugar, and 1 Tbsp of corn syrup. Gently toss the crabs to ensure the seasoning coats them evenly without causing them to break.
Step 4
Once the seasoning is mostly incorporated, sprinkle in 1 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds. Thinly slice 2 green onions and add them to the mix. If you like it extra spicy, you can also add finely chopped chili peppers (like Cheongyang peppers) to your preference for a more robust and zesty flavor.
Step 5
While delicious as is, if you desire a more intense flavor, taste and adjust the seasoning. Add a bit more fish sauce for saltiness or sugar/corn syrup for sweetness until it perfectly suits your palate.
Step 6
And there you have it – perfectly seasoned Yangnyeom Gejang, where the spicy, sweet, and savory sauce beautifully complements the fresh, mild crab meat! This ‘rice thief’ is made by marinating the frozen crabs for 30 minutes in the refrigerator before tossing them with the seasoning. This is my confident ‘Golden Recipe’ for you to enjoy!
