Korean Crab Stew (Kkotgetang)

Name: Korean Crab Stew (kkotgetang)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 3 fresh blue crabs (cleaned and halved); 1/2 lb shrimp (cleaned); 7 cup water; 6-7 large dried anchovy (deveined); 1 piece dried sea kelp (dashima); 1/4 small Korean radish (sliced); 1 small zucchini (sliced); 1 bunch watercress; 3 tbsp Korean chili flakes (gochugaru); 2 tsp Korean chili paste (gochujang); 1/2 tbsp Korean soybean paste (doenjang); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 2 tbsp Korean soup soy sauce (gukganjang); 1 tbsp Korean fish sauce; 1/2 Asian leek or 2 green onion (sliced); dashes black pepper

posted by Holly Ford on Dec 2, 2018 (updated Apr 18, 2022) 5 comments »

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If you are a crab lover, don’t miss out this full flavored Korean crab stew (kkotgetang). The addition of shrimp or other seafood makes this stew heartier and deeper in flavor.

Korean Crab Stew made with fresh crabs and shrimp is steaming hot in a pot.

If I can pick one seafood I have to live with, I will choose crabs. I love crabs of all kinds. Steamed, stewed, baked, or fried; you name it. And this Korean crab stew (kkotgetang, 꽃게탕) is not an exception.

I know crabs require some work to enjoy them unless their meat are extracted from their shells. To most people, eating the whole crab is too much of work and it can be discouraging.

But if I can get a really good crab stew, I don’t mind getting my hands messy picking out the delicious crab meat out of the shell.

Korean crab stew is a one of kind stew. Seasoned with Korean chili paste, chili powder, and a tiny bit of soybean paste diluted in anchovy stock, this delicious Korean stew offers a full flavor of seafood and warm you up when you need a comfort.

If you like Korean stews and crab, I guarantee you will love this recipe.

Fresh Crabs for Kkotgetang

Cleaned crab pieces and shrimp are in the bowls.

If you are close to major Korean grocery store, you can buy already cleaned and cut crabs in the frozen section, which makes the cooking so much easier.

I added some shrimps to the stew so that I can enjoy both seafood.

How to make Korean Crab Stew

Spicy seasoning paste ingredients are mixed in a small bowl.

Make the seasoning paste by combining all the ingredients.

Crab pieces and shimps are in a pot with anchovy stock and seasoning paste is added.

Add to the crabs and shrimps in the anchovy broth. All you need to do is to boil and simmer until the seafood are fully cooked, which only takes a few minutes.

Steaming hot Korean crab stew is placed on a hot rack on the table.

You can add some vegetables, like watercress and/or zucchini. Throw some Asian leek or green onion and fresh chili to jazz up.

A ladle of Korean crab stew is showing the cooked crab piece and broth in the pot.

You will love the flavor of the broth. With the just right amount of heat, and well balanced taste from the seafood and the fermented Korean paste, you can empty out a bowl of rice in no time.

Korean crab stew is served in a bowl with rice and side dishes.

You will need to use your finger to hold pieces of crab and suck the broth out of it. Consider it as a fun activity of eating.

You will definitely need napkins to serve with this stew. It might get messy but you get good at eating crabs after experiencing this stew. And your tummy will be happy, too.

Storage Tip

Store the leftover in the refrigerator up to 1 week. To reheat, you can warm it up in a pot on the stove, or use microwave until hot. The flavor will deepens as it stores. Freezing is not recommended.

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