Binggrae Crab Chips - The Sweet and Savory Korean Snack Obsession

The Delicious Taste of Binggrae Crab Chips

Crab chips have become an incredibly popular snack in recent years. With their sweet and savory flavor profile accentuated by a crispy crunch, it's easy to see why. One of the most beloved brands of crab chips is Binggrae, a South Korean company known for their wide range of snack foods and beverages. Their crab chips in particular have developed a cult-like following for good reason.

The Origins of Binggrae Crab Chips

Binggrae has been around since 1967, founded by Kim Hong-Gul as a small dairy business. Over the decades they have expanded into various food and beverage markets, becoming one of the largest manufacturers in South Korea. While they produce all kinds of goodies like banana milk and ice cream, their line of crab chips released in 2013 quickly became one of their most sought-after items.

Made using Alaska pollock from Russia, these crispy chips are seasoned to savory perfection. Binggrae really managed to capture the sweet brininess of crab and transform it into the perfect on-the-go snack. The chips became so popular that other brands tried to mimic it, but none have matched the iconic status of the original Binggrae crab chips.

The Sweet and Savory Flavors

What really makes these crab chips stand out is the balance of flavors. Sweet crab meat meets nutty sesame oil and a special combination of seasoning that gives it that moreish umami kick. Binggrae has really finely tuned the recipe over the years, upgrading the chips in 2020 to be thinner and crispier after customer feedback.

The chips have a light golden color and are jaggedly cut to resemble crab legs. This irregular shape means that no two chips are quite the same, adding some fun variety with every bite. As soon as you open a bag you are greeted with that aromatically sweet and salty crab smell, setting your taste buds watering in anticipation.

Crispy Crunch and Airy Lightness

The texture of these chips really seals the deal. Audibly crispy with every bite, they have a perfectly airy crispness to contrast the intense seasoning. This makes them incredibly easy to keep snacking on, with the flavors never becoming too overpowering.

Binggrae has shared that they partially fry the chips before the seasoning stage, then finish them off with a final fry until golden perfection. This two-step cooking method ensures maximum crunch potential. The chips are thinner than a classic potato chip, shattering delicately in the mouth with a mildly oiliness that tastes fresh from the fryer.

Endlessly Adaptable Recipes

While Binggrae crab chips are delicious eaten straight from the bag, their versatility has inspired some mouthwatering recipes. Social media is full of fun ways to incorporate these chips into snacks, sharing foodie creativity with the world.

A popular preparation method is air frying. The already crispy chips become even snapper with a short blast in the air fryer. Their craggy shape lets spices and sauces cling while frying. Tossing them in butter and garlic is an easy way to fancy them up. Drizzling with fresh lemon adds brightness to balance the rich seasoning.

Feeling experimental? Coat them in batter before air frying for next level crunch. Sprinkle on some cheese powder after cooking for fully loaded cheesy crab chips. The possibilities are endless for customizing this blank crab chip canvas!

Where to Find This Korean Snack Sensation

The rising popularity of Korean food around the world has increased accessibility of Binggrae crab chips and other Korean snack favorites. They can be found at many Asian grocery stores and specialty snack shops globally. Of course, the best selection and pricing is still found in South Korea.

Some retailers like Amazon even carry various Binggrae chip flavors to ship internationally. Stock up on a variety pack to share the K-snack love. The classic seafood flavor is a must-try, but don’t sleep on the sweet potato and green grape variations.

Join the Binggrae Crab Chips Craze

Binggrae struck gold when they decided to transform sweet Alaskan crab into the perfect crispy chip. Perfectly balanced sweet and savory flavors with an unbeatably light and crispy crunch make this snack hard to stop eating. Plus their versatility to be used as an ingredient opens a world of delicious recipe opportunities.

It's no wonder Binggrae crab chips have sparked an international snacking obsession. This South Korean flavor powerhouse snack has earned a permanent place in the pantheon of iconic world foods. Open up a bag and taste the magic for yourself today!

FAQs

What exactly are Binggrae crab chips?

Binggrae crab chips are a popular Korean snack made of crispy fried seafood-flavored chips shaped to resemble crab shells or legs. They have a sweet yet savory crab taste and a deliciously crunchy texture.

What makes Binggrae crab chips so addictively tasty?

Binggrae chips get their signature flavor from a careful balance of sweet crab essence against nutty sesame oil and savory umami seasonings. Their unique crispiness comes from being fried twice to perfect lightness while maximizing crunch.

Where can I buy Binggrae crab chips outside South Korea?

Many Asian grocery stores and specialty snack shops around the world now sell Binggrae chips. Large online retailers like Amazon also carry popular flavors to ship internationally.

How should I eat or cook with Binggrae crab chips?

These versatile chips are delicious eaten plain as a snack. Many foodies creatively incorporate them into recipes too, like air frying with lemon or cheese toppings. Their textured shape allows flavors and sauces to cling nicely.