The World's #1 Crab Dish Is Korean: Ganjang-Gejang
TasteAtlas ranked Korea's ganjang-gejang the world's best crab dish. What it is, why travellers queue for it, and how to pair it with a dive day.
Korea's ganjang-gejang, raw crab marinated in soy sauce, has been ranked the world's best crab dish by the global food magazine TasteAtlas, scoring 4.2 out of 5. Koreans call it the "rice thief" (bapdoduk), because one bite makes a bowl of rice disappear. It's now the second most-booked food experience among foreign visitors to Korea, right after fried chicken.
The key facts
- World #1: TasteAtlas's "world's best crab dishes" ranking, 4.2/5, the soy-based version is ganjang-gejang; the spicy version is yangnyeom-gejang
- Foreign travelers are booking it: Korean inbound platform Creatrip's trend report puts gourmet bookings at chicken (34%) → ganjang-gejang (24%) → desserts (13%)
- SNS effect: search "gejang" on TikTok or YouTube and you'll find foreign visitors mixing rice into the crab shell like locals, even Hollywood actor Michael Fassbender was spotted eating it in Korea
- K-food's status: in Korea's global Hallyu survey, food ranked as the most popular Korean culture category (55.1%), with 78% having tried Korean food, more than film, drama, or music
What this means for divers and travelers
As an instructor guiding Beomseom dives every day, I can say this with confidence: nothing builds an appetite like diving. After two morning tanks in the sea, a ganjang-gejang set, salty-sweet marinated crab, hot rice, and the finale of mixing rice right in the crab's top shell, is an almost unfair combination.
Seogwipo is a great town for it. Beomseom boat dives usually wrap up by early afternoon, and gejang restaurants sit around downtown Seogwipo and Maeil Olle Market, so "morning dive at Beomseom → gejang lunch" flows naturally. The travel trend the article describes is literally called "K-dive" (diving into everyday Korean life), do it word for word: a real dive and the rice thief in one day.
The sea comes first. Build that appetite on a boat discover dive no swimming skills needed.
FAQ
What is ganjang-gejang?
Ganjang-gejang is a Korean dish of raw crab marinated and aged in a seasoned soy sauce. It is eaten with rice, Koreans nickname it the 'rice thief', and TasteAtlas ranked it the world's best crab dish at 4.2/5.
Is ganjang-gejang safe for first-timers to try?
It is a raw, aged dish, so the texture is soft and the flavor briny, unfamiliar but beloved. Restaurants serving it prepare fresh female crabs with roe; going to a busy specialty restaurant is the best first experience.
Can I dive and eat ganjang-gejang on the same day in Seogwipo?
Yes. Beomseom boat dives usually finish by early afternoon, and gejang restaurants around downtown Seogwipo and Maeil Olle Market make an easy post-dive lunch, no altitude concerns apply to eating after a dive.
Source: The Asia Business Daily (Asiae)
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