Spicy and Sweet Seasoned Raw Crab (Yangnyeom Gejang)
Easy Homemade Recipe! Super Simple Yangnyeom Gejang with Frozen Crab
Don’t worry if you don’t have fresh crab! I’ll show you a delicious Yangnyeom Gejang recipe that anyone can easily make using frozen cut blue crab. It’s a real rice thief!
Main Ingredients- 1kg Frozen Cut Blue Crab
- 1/2 cup Soju (to remove crab odor)
- 1/4 cup Minced Onion (adds sweetness and flavor to the sauce)
- 1/2 stalk Scallion (finely chopped)
- 2 Korean Green Chilies (adjust to your preference for spiciness)
Spicy and Sweet Seasoning Sauce- 5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes; mixing coarse and fine flakes is recommended)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar (sweetness can be adjusted)
- 2 Tbsp Minced Garlic (garlic flavor is key to Yangnyeom Gejang!)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Ginger (ginger removes odor and adds a unique aroma)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce (provides basic umami)
- 1 Tbsp Fish Sauce (anchovy or sand lance fish sauce both work well; adds depth)
- 1 Tbsp Maesil Extract (Korean plum extract can be used instead of sugar for sweetness and added flavor)
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (cooking wine; alcohol evaporates, leaving only umami)
- 2 Tbsp Oligodang (corn syrup or rice syrup; adds shine and mild sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil (add at the end to preserve its nutty aroma)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Seeds (lightly crushing the seeds enhances nuttiness)
- 5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes; mixing coarse and fine flakes is recommended)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar (sweetness can be adjusted)
- 2 Tbsp Minced Garlic (garlic flavor is key to Yangnyeom Gejang!)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Ginger (ginger removes odor and adds a unique aroma)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce (provides basic umami)
- 1 Tbsp Fish Sauce (anchovy or sand lance fish sauce both work well; adds depth)
- 1 Tbsp Maesil Extract (Korean plum extract can be used instead of sugar for sweetness and added flavor)
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (cooking wine; alcohol evaporates, leaving only umami)
- 2 Tbsp Oligodang (corn syrup or rice syrup; adds shine and mild sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil (add at the end to preserve its nutty aroma)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Seeds (lightly crushing the seeds enhances nuttiness)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, gently thaw the frozen cut blue crab by soaking it briefly in cold water. Be careful not to soak it for too long, as this can cause the crab’s flavor to diminish.
Step 2
Once thawed, drain the crab thoroughly in a colander. Then, pour about 1/2 cup of soju over the crab and gently shake or mix it. This is very effective for removing any fishy odor. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, then drain the water again.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the delicious seasoning sauce! In a bowl, combine 5 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp sugar, 2 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp minced ginger, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp fish sauce, 1 Tbsp maesil extract, 1 Tbsp mirin, and 2 Tbsp oligodang. Mix them well. Finally, add 1 Tbsp sesame oil and 1 Tbsp sesame seeds for a fragrant finish.
Step 4
Add the minced onion, chopped scallions, and green chilies to the prepared crab. Pour the prepared sauce over them. It’s important to mix the sauce evenly into the crab. To avoid injury and ensure even coating, it’s best to use two cooking ladles or spoons and gently mix from both sides, rather than using your hands.
Step 5
Your Yangnyeom Gejang is incredibly easy to make! It’s delicious right away, but for an even better flavor, refrigerate it for about a day. This allows the sauce to fully penetrate the crab, making it exceptionally tasty. Enjoy this addictive side dish that will have you finishing a bowl of rice in no time!
