As we enter autumn and daily temperature ranges widen, it's also a good idea to pay attention to managing bedding for seasonal rhinitis.

Spring Female Crabs vs. Autumn Male Crabs

The taste and characteristics of blue crabs vary between males and females depending on the season. Compare the reasons behind the saying, 'Female crabs in spring, male crabs in autumn,' in the table below.

2026 Autumn Blue Crab Market Price Trends

In the autumn of 2026, due to an increased catch, blue crabs are approximately 8.2% cheaper than in 2025 and 14% cheaper than in 2024. Since the end of the closed season in late August, major distributors have been competitively running promotional sales, and prices may fluctuate depending on future catch volumes and weather conditions.

• Direct from Origin Price: KRW 20,000 - 30,000 per 1kg (3-4 crabs) (as of 2026-09-06, Seomang Port)
• Standard Online Mall Price: KRW 18,900 - 19,800 per 1kg (as of 2026-09-16)
• Large Supermarket Sale Price: Around KRW 680 per 100g (as of 2026-08-21, price may reflect coupon discounts at some retailers)

Foolproof Guide to Choosing and Cleaning Male Blue Crabs

Choosing fresh, meaty crabs with a 'good yield' (high meat-to-shell ratio) is the most important step. Check the criteria below and follow the simple cleaning instructions.

How to Choose Good Crabs

• Weight: Feels heavy for its size.
• Belly: The apron (belly flap) should be white and firm (a mushy one may indicate less meat).
• Legs: All legs are attached and moving actively.
• Carapace (Top Shell): Shiny, hard, and has a darkish hue (a sign that it has been a while since molting, meaning the crab is full of meat).
• Sexing the Crab: A pointed, long triangular apron indicates a male crab, while a round, wide one indicates a female.

Basic Cleaning Steps

1. Stun the Crab: Soaking the crab in ice water for 10 minutes will stun it, allowing for safe handling. You can also soak it in plain water for 20-30 minutes.
2. Wash: Use an old toothbrush or a kitchen brush to scrub the carapace, belly, and between the legs to remove any debris, then rinse under running water.
3. Remove Guts and Gills: If preparing for soups or salads (not steaming), you must separate the carapace, and remove the grey gills on both sides of the body (which cause a bitter taste) and the black sand sac inside the carapace (which causes a gritty taste).

10-Minute Prep, 20-Minute Cook! Steamed Blue Crab Recipe

Steaming is the best way to enjoy the natural sweetness of blue crabs. Adding a little doenjang (soybean paste) and cheongju (rice wine) will create flavorful steamed crabs without any fishy smell.

• Ingredients: 4 blue crabs, 1.5L water, 1 tbsp doenjang (soybean paste), 3 tbsp cheongju (rice wine) or soju

1. In a pot, combine water, doenjang, and cheongju, stir well to dissolve, and turn on the heat.
2. When the water boils and steam rises, place a steamer basket inside. Arrange the cleaned crabs with their bellies facing up. This prevents the tomalley and juices from leaking out.
3. Close the lid and steam over high heat for 15 minutes.
4. After 15 minutes, turn off the heat and let it rest with the lid on for 5 more minutes. Be careful not to open the lid while steaming, as this can create a fishy smell.

How to Use and Store Leftover Crabs

If you have leftover steamed crabs, you can freeze them and enjoy them in other dishes later.

• Freezing: Let the steamed crabs cool, then store them in an airtight container or a zipper bag in the freezer. It is recommended to consume them within one month to maintain flavor. Avoid repeated freezing and thawing, which can intensify the fishy smell, so store in single-serving portions.
• Crab Shell Bibimbap: Mix warm rice, seaweed flakes, and sesame oil with the leftover tomalley in the crab shell for a savory treat.
• Crab Ramyeon: Add frozen steamed crab when cooking ramyeon to make the broth deeper and more refreshing. A little doenjang can help remove any fishy smell and add a savory depth.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. When is the closed season for blue crabs? A. The closed season for blue crabs in most areas of the West Sea is from June 21 to August 20 each year. Crab fishing is prohibited during this period. Therefore, crabs caught from August 21 are the first autumn crabs of the season. (However, in some areas like Yeonpyeong Island and the five West Sea islands, the period is from July 1 to August 31.)

Q. Why should crabs be placed belly-up when steaming? A. As the crab cooks, the delicious tomalley and juices inside become liquid. Placing the crab belly-up, with the carapace facing down, ensures that these juices collect in the shell, so you can enjoy every last drop without any loss.

Q. I'm afraid to handle live crabs. Are there other methods? A. Soaking them in ice water for just 10 minutes is the most recommended method as it's simple and safely stuns them. If you steam live crabs directly, they may struggle in the heat, causing their legs to fall off and their innards to burst, which can diminish the flavor.

• Hongseong Namdanghang Daeha Shrimp Festival: Held from September 4 to November 8, 2026, in the Namdanghang Port area of Hongseong-gun, Chungnam. For more detailed information during the festival period, you can refer to the Autumn Festival Calendar.
• Online Direct Shipping: Live shrimp harvested the same day from major farms in areas like Shinan, Jeonnam, and Taean, Chungnam, are sent via courier.

In the case of wild Daeha prawns, the market price fluctuates daily depending on the catch volume and is typically set at a price about 20,000 won or more per kg higher than farmed whiteleg shrimp.

Tips for Finding Cheaper Online Hot Deals

• Utilize Live Commerce: By tuning into live broadcasts from the source on platforms like Naver Shopping Live or Oasis Market, you can purchase shrimp for around the low-to-mid 20,000 won range per kg with broadcast-exclusive coupons and free shipping benefits.
• Korea Seafood Sale: It's a good idea to take advantage of the seafood discount event hosted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. Participating online malls offer a 20% discount coupon per person (up to 10,000-20,000 won). (As of 2024-04)
• Check the Shipping Method: If you want to enjoy live shrimp as sashimi, choose products with 'seawater and oxygen packaging.' If you plan to grill or steam them, 'chilled (ice) packaging' that maintains freshness is also a perfectly fine choice.

Ready in 15 Minutes: Super Simple Salt-Grilled Prawn Recipe

The easiest way to enjoy prawns at home is salt-grilling. You can achieve a restaurant-quality taste with just one frying pan.

Ingredients

• 1kg of prawns (or whiteleg shrimp)
• 1-2 cups of coarse salt (sea salt)
• A frying pan with a lid
• Aluminum foil
• (Optional) 1 pat of butter

Cooking Steps

1. Prepare the shrimp: Trim the sharp rostrum and long antennae on the shrimp's head with scissors. Rinse them lightly under running water and then pat dry with a kitchen towel.
2. Prepare the pan: To protect the pan's coating, line it with aluminum foil. Spread a 0.5-1 cm thick layer of coarse salt evenly over the foil.
3. Grilling: Preheat the salt-lined pan over medium heat for 1-2 minutes. Place the prepared shrimp on the salt in a single layer, not overlapping, and immediately cover with the lid.
4. Cooking: Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until the shrimp turn red. Open the lid, flip the shrimp once, cover again, and cook for another 3-5 minutes.
5. Butter-grilled heads: After eating the bodies, the leftover heads can be pan-fried with a pat of butter over low heat for 3-5 minutes until crispy for a special treat.

How to Store and Prepare Shrimp After Delivery

To maintain the freshness from the source for as long as possible, proper handling immediately after receipt is crucial.

• Check the condition: Immediately upon receipt, open the icebox to check if the ice has melted and to confirm the freshness of the shrimp.
• Washing and storage: It's best to freeze any shrimp you won't eat the same day without washing them first. Only rinse the shrimp you plan to eat right away under running water before use.
• Refrigeration: If you plan to eat them within 1-2 days of receipt, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator at 0-10℃.
• Freezing: For long-term storage, place them in a resealable bag and freeze at -18℃ or below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. Are the shrimp I ordered really wild Daeha prawns? A. If you ordered 'live shrimp' online, it's highly likely they are farmed whiteleg shrimp. Wild Daeha prawns are sensitive and die soon after being caught in nets, making them difficult to ship alive. You can distinguish them by the length of their rostrum, antennae, and tail color. You can enjoy them according to your taste and intended use.

Q. I received my delivery, but some of the shrimp are dead. Are they still safe to eat? A. Even with 'seawater and oxygen packaging,' some shrimp may die due to the stress of shipping. If the inside of the icebox remained cold and the shrimp do not have a bad smell, there is no problem eating them cooked, such as grilled or steamed. However, you should avoid eating them raw.

Q. Is it okay to eat the shrimp raw as sashimi? A. If they were delivered live in 'seawater and oxygen packaging' and you prepare them hygienically immediately upon receipt, you can eat them raw. However, safety can vary depending on the shipping conditions and your personal hygiene practices, so we recommend cooking them whenever possible. Shrimp that arrive in 'chilled packaging' must always be cooked before eating.