EP. 1 : Ganjang Saeujang (Soy-marinated Shrimp)

There is a famous Korean dish called 'Ganjang Gejang'—soy-marinated raw crab .

Ganjang Saeujang is the same thing, simply replacing crab with shrimp.

In Korea, there is a long-standing food culture of preserving food by aging it in jang (fermented sauces like soy sauce, doenjang, or gochujang).

This method was born in a time before refrigerators, when people needed ways to store fish and meat safely for longer periods. Because jang is salty, it slows spoilage and allows ingredients to be preserved.

But this technique is more than just preservation.

As the seafood rests in the sauce, amino acids and umami compounds from the jang move into the ingredient. At the same time, moisture and odors move out. This exchange creates deeper flavor and a uniquely tender texture.

You can use not only soy sauce, but also doenjang (soybean paste) or gochujang.

My grandmother even used to age ingredients directly in doenjang at home.

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Ganjang Saeujang

 (for 2 servings)

T = Tablespoon

t = teaspoon

Soy Marinade Ingredients

• 100g soy sauce (i used Sempio 701)

• 20g sugar

• 1 t whole black pepper

• 1/4 onion, diced

• 1/4 stalk scallion (white part), diced

• 1/2 Cheongyang chili (or peperoncino, Thai chili, or any spicy chili)

• 1 clove garlic, minced

  
  

Ingredients to Add with the Shrimp

• 300 g shrimp (Use sashimi-grade, flash-frozen shrimp that are safe to eat raw)

• 2 cloves garlic, sliced

• 1/2 Cheongyang chili (or peperoncino, Thai chili, or crushed red pepper)

Recipe

1. Add all the marinade ingredients to a pot. Add 1 cup of water and bring to a boil.

2. Boil for 5 minutes, then turn off the heat. Cover and let it cool until just warm (about 20–30°C / 68–86°F).

3. Strain the marinade.

4. Rinse the shrimp under cold water.

5. Remove the heads and shells, and devein.

6. Add the shrimp, sliced garlic, cheongyang chili to the cooled soy marinade.

7. Refrigerate and age for at least 2 days before eating.

8. Eat it with rice and it’s good to enjoy it with sesame oil

Notes

• Boil any leftover marinade and store it in the refrigerator. (It becomes a deeply flavorful soy sauce for future dishes)

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Score : 8/10