Daegui (King Crab)

Daegui (대게) is the Korean term for a type of large spider/snow crab (Chionoecetes japonicus) harvested primarily from the East Sea (동해). The name literally means 'big crab' or 'bamboo crab' — the latter because its long, spindly legs resemble bamboo stalks. Daegui is distinct from the American king crab (킹크랩), though both are prized as luxury seafood in Korean restaurants. Daegui is celebrated for its sweet, delicate, and dense white meat. When steamed simply with a little salt, the flavor is oceanic and clean. The leg meat is firm yet tender, and the body cavity contains rich crab roe (게살장) prized by connoisseurs. A large, quality daegui can command very high prices — it is firmly in the luxury seafood category in Korea. The primary harvesting areas are Pohang, Uljin, Yeongdeok, and Donghae along the North and South Gyeongsang and Gangwon coast. Yeongdeok County, in particular, has built its entire regional brand around daegui and hosts a famous crab festival every year.