Raw Marinated Crab

Have you ever tried raw marinated crab? It’s a popular dish in Korea (eaten while wearing plastic gloves, since it’s very messy). The sauce is sweet, spicy, and salty, while the raw crab inside has a soft, jelly-like texture.

Ingredients:

• 1 or 2 fresh crabs (cleaned and cracked, or use crab meat)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
• 1 green onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped (optional)
• Red pepper flakes or sliced red chili (optional, for heat)
• Sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Crab:
   • If you're using whole crabs, clean and crack them to access the meat. Alternatively, you can use pre-picked crab meat.
2. Prepare the Marinade:
   • In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, freshly grated ginger, minced garlic, honey (or sugar), chopped green onion, and cilantro.
3. Marinate the Crab:
   • Gently toss the crab meat in the marinade, ensuring each piece is coated. If using whole crabs, ensure the meat gets into the crevices.
4. Add Heat (Optional):
   • If you like some heat, you can add red pepper flakes or sliced red chili to the marinade.
5. Chill:
   • Cover the bowl and let the crab marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
6. Serve:
   • Take the marinated crab out of the refrigerator, give it a gentle toss, and transfer it to a serving dish.
7. Garnish:
   • Garnish with additional chopped green onions, cilantro, and sesame seeds.
8. Enjoy:
   • Serve your raw marinated crab as an appetizer or part of a seafood spread.

Note: Make sure to use fresh and high-quality crab for raw preparations. Adjust the level of sweetness, saltiness, or spiciness according to your taste preferences.