Spicy Blue Crab and Chicken Stew (꽃게도리탕) Inspired by NCT Doyoung from “I Live Alone”
Hey friends! ^^ It’s Tae Ho here, your Seoul-based Korean foodie and blog chef, and today I’m beyond excited to bring you a recipe that’s not only
hot and trending in Korea right now (2025), but also tied to one of the most beloved K-pop idols out there—
NCT's Doyoung! 🎤🍲 Whether you're a longtime fan of Doyoung (real name Kim Dong-young) or just getting into Korean food, this one’s gonna be a total game changer.
So here’s the scoop: On the September 27, 2024 episode of the hit Korean reality show “나 혼자 산다” (I Live Alone)—also known as “Home Alone” to international fans—Doyoung made waves by visiting his favorite local restaurant and diving into this seriously comforting and spicy stew called 꽃게도리탕 (kkotge-doritang). In English, it's best described as Spicy Blue Crab and Chicken Stew, though some might also call it Crab and Chicken Hot Pot.
This dish totally blew up on Korean social media after the episode aired. Like literally, the search volume for “꽃게도리탕” spiked by over 120% on Naver and Instagram reels were flooded with people trying their own versions at home. Trust me, this is one of the most talked-about dishes in Korea as of 2025, and I just had to recreate it for y’all in my own home kitchen.
Now let me just say—this isn’t your average chicken stew. We’re talking about a perfect fusion of land and sea here. The chicken brings the protein-packed, juicy goodness, while the blue crab adds that rich, ocean-kissed umami flavor. And when they’re simmered together in a spicy, garlicky, gochujang-based broth? Oof. It’s the kind of dish that makes you sweat a little, smile a lot, and go back for seconds and thirds without hesitation. ㅋㅋ
And guess what? I didn’t just copy this from the show—I actually created my own version of Doyoung’s 꽃게도리탕 after doing a bunch of taste tests. I made sure it’s still super authentic but a bit easier to make at home, especially if you’re outside Korea and can’t get every single ingredient. I gotchu 😉
But before we get into the nitty-gritty of the ingredients and the step-by-step recipe, let’s take a quick look at why this dish is blowing up in 2025 and why Doyoung’s appearance on “I Live Alone” made such an impact. From his upcoming solo musical project to his philanthropy with fans and preparing for NCT’s next comeback, Doyoung’s really out here doing it all—and food is just one more way he connects with fans like us. 🥹
So if you’re ready to dive into a cozy, spicy, and protein-loaded Korean stew that’s perfect for a dinner party or just a chill night in with K-dramas, scroll on down. Trust me—once you try this 꽃게도리탕 (Spicy Blue Crab and Chicken Stew), you’ll be hooked.
Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this Spicy Blue Crab and Chicken Stew (꽃게도리탕), just like NCT’s Doyoung enjoyed on “I Live Alone”. I’ve listed both Korean and US measurements so you can follow along no matter where you are!
| Ingredient |
Korean Measurement |
US Measurement |
| Chicken (cut for stew) |
1 마리 |
1 whole chicken (~3.5 lbs) |
| Blue crab |
2 마리 |
2 whole crabs (~1.5 lbs) |
| Onion |
1개 |
1 medium |
| Green onion |
2대 |
2 stalks |
| Minari (Korean parsley) |
한 줌 |
1 handful (~1 cup) |
| Cheongyang chili peppers |
3개 |
3 small hot green chilies |
| Gochujang (Korean chili paste) |
2큰술 |
2 Tbsp |
| Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) |
2큰술 |
2 Tbsp |
| Soy sauce |
2큰술 |
2 Tbsp |
| Hongge fish sauce (red crab flavored) |
1큰술 |
1 Tbsp |
| Sugar |
1큰술 |
1 Tbsp |
| Mirin (cooking wine) |
1큰술 |
1 Tbsp |
| Minced garlic |
1큰술 |
1 Tbsp |
| Black pepper |
약간 |
Pinch |
- Pressure cooker or large soup pot – For pre-boiling the chicken and simmering the stew.
- Cutting board & sharp knife – Essential for prepping the chicken, crab, and veggies.
- Mixing bowl – To combine all the spicy seasonings.
- Vegetable brush – Especially useful for cleaning the outside of the blue crab shells.
- Serving pot (jeongol-style or hot pot) – For serving the stew bubbling hot at the table.
If you don’t have a pressure cooker, no worries! You can use a regular soup pot—it’ll just take a bit longer for the chicken to cook through. Also, a crab cracker or kitchen shears will help if your crabs are super firm.
Notes
- Difficulty: Intermediate – Some seafood cleaning involved, but totally doable with a step-by-step guide!
- Servings: 3 to 4 people – Perfect for a cozy dinner or spicy stew party with friends.
- Total Time: About 60–75 minutes – That includes prep, pre-boiling, seasoning, and final simmering.
This dish is super seasonal, especially popular in the fall when blue crabs are at their peak in Korea. But thanks to frozen crab imports, you can enjoy this 맛있는 (delicious) 꽃게도리탕 all year round. Just make sure to thaw your crab properly to preserve its texture and flavor.
And one last thing—don’t be intimidated by the ingredient list. The flavor payoff is SO worth it. Plus, once you’ve made this once, you’ll realize how simple it is to recreate that Korean restaurant magic at home. ^^
Step-by-Step Recipe
1. Clean and prep all ingredients
Start by prepping the blue crab. Using kitchen shears or a knife, remove the legs’ tips and the apron (belly flap). Open the top shell and remove the gills and sandbag. Scrub the crab clean using a vegetable brush, especially if you're using fresh crab. For frozen crab, make sure you thaw it slowly in cold water overnight.
Chop the onion into chunks, slice the green onion diagonally, and trim the Korean parsley (minari). Slice the chili peppers thinly and discard the seeds if you want to tone down the heat.
2. Parboil the chicken
Place the chicken pieces into a pressure cooker or large pot. Add enough water to just cover the meat. Bring to a boil and cook for about 5–7 minutes to remove impurities and reduce odor. Drain and rinse the chicken under cold water.
3. Make the spicy seasoning sauce
In a mixing bowl, combine gochujang (2 Tbsp), gochugaru (2 Tbsp), soy sauce (2 Tbsp), hongge fish sauce (1 Tbsp), sugar (1 Tbsp), mirin (1 Tbsp), minced garlic (1 Tbsp), and a pinch of black pepper. Mix well until it becomes a thick, deep red paste. This is your magic sauce!
4. Start simmering the chicken
Place sliced green onions at the bottom of your pot or pressure cooker to prevent sticking. Add the parboiled chicken back in, then pour the seasoning sauce on top. Add about 1.5 to 2 cups of water and simmer on medium heat for 10 minutes with the lid slightly open.
5. Add the blue crab and veggies
Carefully add the cleaned blue crab, onion, and chili peppers to the pot. Simmer for another 6–7 minutes until the crab turns bright orange and the flavors come together beautifully.
6. Finish with aromatics
Transfer everything to a hot pot or serving dish. Top with more green onion and a generous handful of minari. Let it steam for a minute before serving so the herbs release their aroma into the stew.
7. Serve & enjoy!
This stew is best enjoyed bubbling hot, with a bowl of rice and maybe some kimchi on the side. Don’t forget to crack open the crab shells and savor that sweet, spicy meat. ㅎㅎ It’s messy, but sooo worth it.
Cooking Tips
How to pick the best crab
When buying fresh blue crab, press on the underside—if it feels firm, it’s full of meat. For frozen crab, thaw in cold water in the fridge overnight to preserve the texture.
Chicken prep tip
Trim the fatty parts off the chicken before cooking. If you soak the chicken in salted water for 30 minutes, it will taste cleaner and juicier after cooking.
Adjusting spice levels
Dial down the heat by using less gochugaru or removing the seeds from the chili peppers. You can also balance the heat with a little more sugar or mirin.
Storage & leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat on stovetop gently—don't microwave the crab, it dries out fast. You can also reuse the leftover broth as a base for ramen. Yum!
Behind the Dish: Korean Culture
A dish full of “Jeong” (정)
In Korea, food isn’t just about taste. It’s about connection. A big bubbling stew like 꽃게도리탕 is often eaten in a group, placed in the center of the table for everyone to share. This reflects the Korean concept of “Jeong” (정)—a deep emotional bond expressed through acts of care, like sharing a hearty meal.
Seasonal and medicinal
Koreans believe in the philosophy of “food is medicine” (약식동원, yak-sik-dong-won). This stew, with its balance of protein (chicken), calcium and minerals (crab), and immune-boosting garlic and chili, is seen as a nutritious and strengthening meal—especially in colder months.
Why it’s trending in 2025
After Doyoung’s episode of “I Live Alone” aired on September 27, 2024, interest in 꽃게도리탕 exploded. According to Korean search engine Naver, searches for the dish jumped by over 120% in just 3 days. Fans loved seeing their idol enjoy such a humble, homey dish, and many recreated it at home, making it one of the most cooked recipes on Korean food blogs and social media in early 2025.
It’s also part of a bigger trend in Korean cooking: returning to roots. People are craving authentic, comforting dishes that showcase traditional flavors—exactly what this stew delivers.
FAQ
Why is this 꽃게도리탕 recipe trending in 2025?
After the September 27, 2024 episode of “I Live Alone” aired featuring NCT's Doyoung enjoying 꽃게도리탕 at his go-to local spot, the dish became an instant hit. According to Naver search data, interest in the dish rose by over 120% within just three days. Fans loved seeing Doyoung enjoy something so humble and comforting, and many K-food lovers rushed to recreate it at home. It’s the perfect blend of cozy, spicy, and celebrity-approved!
Can I make this stew without blue crab?
Yep, totally doable. While blue crab adds a deep umami kick, you can swap it with other seafood like shrimp, mussels, or even firm white fish. If you’re vegetarian, tofu works too—just make sure to boost the broth with some kelp (dashima) and shiitake mushroom stock to keep that rich flavor.
Is this dish very spicy?
It can be! But you can easily adjust it. Reduce the amount of gochugaru or skip the chili peppers. Want a milder, sweeter twist? Add a bit more sugar or mirin. The beauty of this dish is how flexible it is for all spice tolerance levels.
How do I store leftovers, especially with crab in it?
Great question. Once cooked, you can store the stew in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Just make sure to reheat it gently on the stovetop. Microwaving crab can dry it out quickly, so stovetop is best for preserving flavor and texture.
Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up
Whew, that was a journey, wasn’t it? ㅋㅋ If you made it all the way here, give yourself a round of applause 👏 You just learned how to make one of Korea’s most buzzworthy dishes of 2025—꽃게도리탕 (Spicy Blue Crab and Chicken Stew), inspired by none other than NCT’s Doyoung from the show “나 혼자 산다” (I Live Alone). Whether you’re a diehard NCTzen or just someone looking to spice up your dinner game, this dish really brings the heat—literally and figuratively.
Why This Stew Matters… More Than You Think
This isn’t just another spicy stew. It’s a dish that embodies Korean culinary values: balance, comfort, and community. The use of both seafood and poultry represents harmony between land and sea—something you’ll see a lot in traditional Korean cuisine. And when you cook this in a big pot and gather friends or family around it? That’s very much in the spirit of “정 (jeong)”—deep emotional connection through shared meals.
Plus, Doyoung’s feature on “I Live Alone” wasn’t just about food. It was a window into his everyday life, his favorite comfort meals, and the kind of human he is outside of the global K-pop spotlight. It’s no wonder fans felt so connected—and why the dish became such a hit.
A Little Recap for Your Grocery List 🛒
Here’s a quick reminder of what you’ll need to recreate this at home:
- 1 whole chicken (for braising)
- 2 blue crabs (or seafood alternative)
- Onion, green onions, water parsley, chili peppers
- Gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, anchovy fish sauce, mirin, garlic, sugar
- Pressure cooker or large pot
And of course, don’t forget the love and patience—because that’s what Korean home cooking is all about ^^
Tae Ho’s Bonus Tips Before You Go
- Watch the episode again while you cook! Seriously, it adds a whole new layer of joy.
- Pair it with rice and maybe a simple side dish like pickled radish or kimchi.
- Use a portable gas stove at the table if you’re doing a hot pot style dinner with friends—super fun and very Korean-style!
Why You Should Try It… Like, Now
This dish is more than a trend—it’s a glimpse into current Korean culture, the human side of a global K-pop star, and how food continues to connect us across oceans. Making 꽃게도리탕 (Spicy Blue Crab and Chicken Stew) at home isn’t just about recreating what Doyoung ate; it’s about experiencing a little piece of Korea on your own terms.
Thanks for sticking with me through this spicy, savory ride. I seriously can’t wait to hear how your version turns out. Tag me on socials if you try it, and let’s keep spreading the K-food love~ Stay spicy, stay cozy, and keep cooking deliciously.
Until next time—annyeong~ ^^
