Visit Uljin - the 'snow crab capital' of South Korea.

In winter, the snow crabs in Uljin (South Korea) are at their sweetest and most flavorful, attracting tens of thousands of seafood lovers.

Báo Quốc Tế•21/02/2025

Hupo Port in Uljin, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. (Source: Getty Images)

"Specialties" of the land of kimchi

In the coastal town of Uljin (in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea), snow crab is not only a delicious dish but also a symbol of tradition and unique regional cuisine .

In winter, food lovers from all over flock to Uljin to enjoy snow crab, at its freshest and most flavorful.

Kim Tuk-yong (70 years old), a resident of Uljin, said that the main habitat of snow crabs is Wangdolcho, an underwater coral reef about 23km east of Hupo port. This fertile area is located where cold and warm currents meet. It is home to many thriving species, pristine sand dunes, and crystal-clear waters that maintain a temperature of around 2-3 degrees Celsius year-round.

Visit Uljin - the snow crab capital of South Korea.

Snow crab meat is richer in flavor in winter. (Source: Getty Images)

According to the Korea Times , Uljin has two types of snow crab: white-bellied or red-bellied. White-bellied snow crabs tend to be sweeter, while red-bellied crabs have a more rounded flavor.

Crab fishermen and locals in Uljin advise diners to enjoy snow crab when it's at its freshest, especially right where it's caught, to fully appreciate its sweet, juicy flavor.

Lim Hyo-chul (57 years old), the owner of a snow crab restaurant in Uljin, said that this type of seafood often appeared on the banquet tables of emperors and that winter is the ideal time to enjoy it.

Sharing his tips on choosing delicious crabs, Mr. Lim said that some people always want to choose the biggest one, but the secret to selecting a good snow crab is to gently press on its belly.

"A good snow crab has a firm belly. Those that feel slightly solid when pressed, with nimble legs and claws, are good crabs. Some crabs may be large, but if they are too light, they are likely to be thin and not have much meat," Mr. Lim said.

A crab catcher is putting snow crabs into plastic containers for auction at Hupo Port.

People put snow crabs into plastic containers for auction at Hupo port. (Source: Korea Times)

According to Mr. Lim Hyo-chul, flipping the crabs over and steaming them is the best way to enjoy the original flavor of the crab meat without adding any seasoning. While demonstrating how to steam crabs, Mr. Lim lifted the lid of a large iron pot. Inside, dozens of steamed snow crabs lay peeking out from the swirling steam, drawing admiring glances from the diners, who eagerly awaited this tempting dish.

Economic benefits

According to the Korea Times , the coastal town of Uljin on South Korea's east coast is renowned as the largest supplier of snow crab in the country. Each year, it harvests between 7,000 and 12,000 tons of crab.

Every morning, Hupo port is bustling with activity as fishermen and seafood wholesalers auction off freshly caught batches of snow crabs.

Here, fishermen arrange hundreds of live snow crabs on the ground in rows, with their white bellies facing upwards to prevent them from crawling away. Vendors then gather around the area to find and buy the freshest crabs.

Lim Joon-sik (44 years old), a crab buyer at the port, said that the price of snow crab varies from day to day, depending on the quantity caught. The price per crab can range from 20,000 won (US$14) to 30,000 won (nearly US$21).

To fetch a good price, fishermen won't sell crabs shorter than 9cm. In addition, they always check the number of legs and make sure they have all 10 legs, including the claws, added Mr. Lim Joon-sik.

Every winter, Uljin becomes a popular destination for seafood lovers. Recognizing this demand, the area around Hupo Port alone boasts approximately 90 restaurants selling snow crab along with other seafood. Many also offer delivery services, providing freshly steamed snow crab daily, generating significant revenue.

Visit Uljin - the snow crab capital of South Korea.

High-quality crates of snow crab. (Source: Getty Images)

Not only famous for its snow crab, Uljin also boasts stunning coastal scenery and majestic, picturesque mountains. To attract tourists, the area is expanding various tourism programs linked to the railway.

The opening of the Donghae-Nambu railway line and Uljin station last month has made Uljin an easily accessible destination from all parts of South Korea.

In addition, to promote tourism and showcase local seafood specialties, the Uljin government organizes the annual Snow Crab Festival, attracting approximately 50,000 visitors each season. This year, the event took place from February 28th to March 3rd with many special activities.

Through promotional and marketing programs, Uljin hopes to boost tourism and increase consumption of seafood, especially snow crab.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ghe-tham-uljin-thu-phu-cua-tuyet-cua-han-quoc-305058.html