Korean Chili Crab (kkotgge Jjim)

Method7 steps · about 40 min

1. 1

   Step 1: To clean the crabs, scrub the crabs with a brush and rinse well. Cut off the 4 sets of swimming legs near the first joint. Keep the claws!

   Uses 3-4 fresh blue crabs (or flower crabs, preferably female crabs)

2. 2

   Step 2: Open up the back tab toward the front and separate from the crab. You might see some golden yolk-like eggs inside. Transfer the eggs in the top shell which has been separated from the crab. Remove the grey gills and clean and rinse the crabs thoroughly.

   Uses 3-4 fresh blue crabs (or flower crabs, preferably female crabs)

3. 3

   Step 3: Meanwhile in a shallow pot, combine water (1 1/4 cup), anchovies and soybean paste. Bring to boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the anchovies and drain the stock to a small mixing bowl.

   Simmer Anchovy Stock · 5 minUses 1 1/4 cup water · 4 dried large anchovies · 1/2 tsp Korean soybean paste (doenjang)

4. 4

   Step 4: Add all the sauce ingredients to the anchovy stock in a small bowl, mix well.

   Uses 1 1/2 tbsp Korean chili paste (gochujang) · 1 tbsp Korean chili flakes (gochugaru) · 3 tbsp soy sauce · 1 tbsp Korean soup soy sauce (gukganjang) · 1 tbsp sweet rice wine (mirim) · 1 garlic cloves (finely minced) · 1/2 tsp fresh ginger (grated) · pinches pepper

5. 5

   Step 5: Place crabs and the top shells with reserved eggs in the pot and drizzle the sauce evenly all over.

   Uses 3-4 fresh blue crabs (or flower crabs, preferably female crabs) · prepared chilli crab sauce

6. 6

   Step 6: Bring to boil, cover and simmer for 5-7 minutes. Shake the pot once or twice during cooking. Add the optional sliced red and green chillies at the end.

   Simmer Crabs · 7 minUses 1 each fresh red and green chili (optional) · 1 green chilli, sliced (optional) · assembled crabs with sauce

7. 7

   Step 7: To serve, mix some cooked rice with the sauce and place in the shell to present the dish. Or drizzle the sauce over rice to serve with the crabs. Enjoy!

   Uses cooked rice, for optional sauce-in-shell serving · cooked chilli crabs and sauce