Raw Marinated Crab Is Big On TikTok, But Is It Actually Safe To Eat?

Ganjang gejang is a Korean dish that features raw marinated crab. The recipe is somewhat complicated, as it requires cleaning live crabs before placing them in a brine solution consisting of garlic, rice wine, soy sauce, lemon juice, and other ingredients. The raw crab is then refrigerated in the solution for up to three days, at which point the dish is ready to eat. The recipe is quite similar to fish preparations from other cultures, for example, ceviche, which uses citrus juice to cook raw fish. And while the recipe is decidedly tasty, consuming raw seafood carries some potential health risks that you should be aware of before diving into the dish — namely, raw crabs can carry problematic parasites and toxins.

These concerns haven't stopped foodies on social media from trying the preparation. In fact, the recipe is quite popular on TikTok, which features numerous clips of people experimenting with raw marinated crab recipes on their own. The proliferation of raw marinated crab videos would lead one to assume that the dish is safe to eat. However, it's worth looking into the recipe further to truly understand its risk of foodborne illness.

Marination time is a key aspect of making ganjang gejang. However, one poster on TikTok found that it was impossible to wait for the crab to fully marinate in the sauce. In the clip, the crab appears covered in spicy sauce as a woman showcases the delicious crab meat (which has been lovingly prepared by her mother). Instead of waiting the requisite amount of time for the crab to sufficiently marinate, the woman dives right in and proclaims that the dish is a "12 out of 10."

@hoemgirl

i couldnt wait for it to marinate so i ate it right away and it was STILL GOOD 🦀🥵#rawmarinatedcrab #spicyrawmarinatedcrab #gejang #koreanfoodrecipe #mukbang

♬ original sound – Sarah 호정 Kim

Another video features a woman enjoying a veritable feast in her vehicle for her TikTok followers. In addition to sushi and rice, the poster also samples raw marinated crab and hails it a "masterpiece," while the commenters express a desire to try the dish on their own. While it's hard to deny that raw marinated crab looks and tastes delicious, that doesn't erase the very real health concerns that accompany recipes that include raw seafood.

It's not uncommon to consume fish and other types of seafood raw. After all, sushi is wildly popular all over the world and many preparations feature raw fish. However, eating raw crab carries its own unique risks due to the nature of these aquatic critters. Keep in mind that crabs are indiscriminate in what they consume, which can lead to potential toxins and other issues with their meat.

Crabs can also harbor parasites, such as paragonimus. Commonly referred to as parasitic lung fluke, paragonimus are common within certain regions of Asia, including South Korea, Japan, and China. The infection can be avoided by cooking crabs at a temperature of at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit. However, consuming uncooked crab, even that which has been marinated, carries a risk of lung fluke. While paragonimus can be effectively treated, symptoms like fever, diarrhea, and chest pain can pose issues for several days or longer. As a result, it's important to weigh your love of delicious recipes against the possible risk of illness if you wish to sample ganjang gejang for yourself.