Spicy and Sweet Seasoned Raw Crab (Yangnyeom Kkotgejang)
Spicy and Sweet Seasoned Raw Crab (Yangnyeom Kkotgejang)
The Ultimate Rice Thief: Easy Homemade Yangnyeom Kkotgejang Recipe
Introducing a quick and easy recipe for delicious Yangnyeom Kkotgejang using frozen, pre-cleaned crab. Enjoy the addictive flavor that makes you devour a bowl of rice in no time, right in your own kitchen!
Crab and Basic Ingredients- 1 box frozen, pre-cleaned crab (approx. 700g)
- 1 handful of green onions or thinly sliced scallions (chopped for preparation)
Crab Marinating Sauce- 7 Tbsp soy sauce (regular or soup soy sauce)
- 3 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
Crab Mixing Sauce- 7 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes – adjust to spice preference)
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 5 Tbsp corn syrup or rice syrup (adjust sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- A little sesame oil (for nutty aroma)
- A little black pepper (optional)
- 7 Tbsp soy sauce (regular or soup soy sauce)
- 3 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
Crab Mixing Sauce- 7 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes – adjust to spice preference)
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 5 Tbsp corn syrup or rice syrup (adjust sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- A little sesame oil (for nutty aroma)
- A little black pepper (optional)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, gently rinse the frozen, pre-cleaned crab purchased from the Korean market under running water to thaw. For the crab legs, lightly tap them with the back of a knife or on a cutting board to slightly crack them. This allows the sauce to penetrate better and makes them much tastier.
Step 2
In a bowl, combine the thawed crab with 7 Tbsp soy sauce and 3 Tbsp mirin. Gently mix them to marinate. This step helps to eliminate any fishy odor from the crab and adds depth of flavor. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
Step 3
While the crab is marinating, let’s make the delicious mixing sauce. In a separate bowl, combine 7 Tbsp gochugaru, 2 Tbsp minced garlic, 5 Tbsp corn syrup (or rice syrup), 1 Tbsp mirin, a little sesame oil, and a pinch of black pepper. Stir well until all the sauce ingredients are evenly mixed. Feel free to adjust the amount of gochugaru or syrup to match your preferred level of spiciness and sweetness.
Step 4
Do not discard the soy sauce from the marinating step. Add it directly to the prepared mixing sauce and stir well. If you find the seasoning too mild, you can add a little more soy sauce at this point to adjust the taste. Mix everything together until the flavors are well combined.
Step 5
Now, pour the prepared sauce over the marinated crab. It’s important to ensure that the sauce coats the crab evenly.
Step 6
Gently toss the crab with the sauce using your hands or a spatula. Be careful not to mix too vigorously or for too long, as this can break the crab meat. A gentle tossing motion is best.
Step 7
Add a generous amount of the prepared green onions or sliced scallions and toss again gently. The refreshing bite and pungent flavor of the green onions will add another layer of deliciousness to the dish.
Step 8
Finally, add a bit more finely chopped green onion and give it a final light toss to complete your Yangnyeom Kkotgejang. Using any remaining sliced scallions is also a great idea.
Step 9
Transfer the finished Yangnyeom Kkotgejang to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least one day to allow the flavors to deepen. Enjoy this delicious dish with freshly steamed rice!
