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Swimming Crab vs. Blue Crab: What US Importers Should Know
Korean soy-marinated crab is made from Portunus trituberculatus, the swimming crab of the seas around Korea, China and Japan. It is a different species from the Atlantic blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) that most Americans know.
Two different crabs
| Swimming crab | Atlantic blue crab | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Portunus trituberculatus | Callinectes sapidus |
| Other names | Gazami crab, Japanese blue crab, Korean "kkotge" | Blue crab, Chesapeake blue crab |
| Where it lives | Coastal waters of Korea, China and Japan | Western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico |
Both belong to the swimming crab family, which is why the common names overlap.
Why the female crab matters
Gejang buyers pay for roe. Female crabs full of roe make the premium grades, and males go into spicy marinated crab instead. That is why we grade every female crab by roe yield before it is marinated.
How to write it on a spec sheet
Use the scientific name next to the trade name, for example: "Swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus), soy-marinated, frozen". It avoids confusion with domestic blue crab products. Check labeling rules for your market with your importer or customs broker.
Sizes we grade to
- Large: 270–320 g per crab
- Medium: 210–260 g per crab
- Small: 180–200 g per crab
Products made from it
Whole and half-cut soy-marinated crab, spicy marinated crab (from male crab), and frozen whole or half-cut crab for soups and steaming.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Korean swimming crab the same as blue crab?
- No. It is Portunus trituberculatus, a related but different species from the Atlantic blue crab, Callinectes sapidus.
- Which crab is used for soy-marinated crab?
- Roe-filled female swimming crab. Male crab is used for spicy marinated crab.
Buying for a store, restaurant or private label?
Tell us the product, grade, volume and destination. We reply with specifications and a quotation.
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