Soy Sauce Marinated Raw Crab (Ganjang Gejang) – The Golden Recipe
Authentic Homemade Soy Sauce Marinated Raw Crab (Ganjang Gejang) Golden Recipe
Introducing the ultimate recipe for Ganjang Gejang, a beloved Korean dish that’s guaranteed to make you devour bowls of rice! Learn how to create this incredibly flavorful marinated raw crab right in your own kitchen. Prepare for a culinary delight!
Main Ingredients- 1kg Fresh Male Blue Crabs (Male crabs are recommended for their firm, plump meat)
- 3-4 Cheongyang peppers (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 medium Onion
- 2-3 pieces Dried Licorice root (optional, adds umami)
- 5-6 cloves Garlic
- 2 slices Ginger (similar size to garlic slices)
Soy Sauce Marinade- 500ml Jin Ganjang (Brewed Soy Sauce) (approx. 2 cups)
- 500ml Water (approx. 2 cups)
- 1/2 cup Sugar (approx. 100g, adjust to taste)
- 500ml Jin Ganjang (Brewed Soy Sauce) (approx. 2 cups)
- 500ml Water (approx. 2 cups)
- 1/2 cup Sugar (approx. 100g, adjust to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
In a pot, combine 2 cups of Jin Ganjang (brewed soy sauce) and 2 cups of water in a 1:1 ratio. Add 1/2 cup of sugar and bring to a boil. If you prefer a sweeter taste, you can increase the sugar up to one cup. Stir well until the sugar dissolves completely.
Step 2
It’s crucial to use Jin Ganjang (brewed soy sauce) rather than Korean soup soy sauce (Guk Ganjang) for this recipe. This ensures the authentic savory flavor and beautiful color of the marinated crab.
Step 3
Prepare the dried licorice root pieces to add an extra layer of umami. Rinse 2-3 pieces of dried licorice root thoroughly. While it’s optional, adding licorice can impart a deeper, more complex flavor profile to the marinade.
Step 4
Add the licorice root to the prepared soy sauce base and simmer over medium heat. Be careful to prevent the soy sauce from boiling over.
Step 5
Once the soy sauce mixture begins to bubble, let it simmer for about 5 more minutes, then turn off the heat. This completes your flavorful soy sauce base.
Step 6
While the soy sauce base is simmering, prepare the vegetables. Slice the Cheongyang peppers diagonally, and roughly chop the onion. Slice the garlic and ginger thinly. These aromatics will significantly enhance the flavor of the soy sauce marinade.
Step 7
Rinse the prepared crabs thoroughly and pat them dry. Arrange the crabs snugly in a large container or kimchi jar. Layer the sliced vegetables evenly on top of the crabs. It’s best not to pack them too tightly.
Step 8
Crucially, do not pour the hot soy sauce mixture over the crabs! Ensure the marinade has cooled completely before pouring. Pouring hot liquid will cook the crabs, altering the texture and taste.
Step 9
Once the marinade is completely cool, pour it over the crabs, ensuring they are submerged. Cover the container and refrigerate for one day to marinate. (Pro Tip) For an even richer flavor, you can separate the marinade after the first day, re-boil it, let it cool completely, and pour it back over the crabs. Repeating this process 2-3 times will allow the flavors to penetrate deeper into the crab meat and extend its shelf life. However, if you’re short on time, the crab will still be delicious after just one day of marinating!
