Fresh abalone (jeonbok, 전복) is a favorite in Korean home cooking, but cleaning, shucking and cooking it yourself takes time and practice. Cooked abalone (jasuk jeonbok, 자숙전복) skips all of that. Here is what it is, how to use it, and where to buy it in the U.S.
What is jasuk jeonbok (cooked abalone)?
Jasuk (자숙) means cooked or steamed in its own juices. Jasuk jeonbok is abalone meat that has already been cleaned, removed from the shell and steamed, then frozen. When it reaches your kitchen, the hard work is done: thaw it, warm it or add it to a dish, and it is ready to eat.
How is it different from live abalone?
- No cleaning or shucking. You do not need to scrub the shell, cut out the meat or remove the innards. The packs contain 100% abalone meat.
- Already cooked. The label reads "Fully Cooked / Ready to Eat," so it only needs to be thawed and gently warmed.
- Kept frozen. Instead of keeping live abalone alive, you keep the pack in the freezer and take out what you need.
- Whole or sliced. Whole meat looks great on a plate; sliced meat goes straight into porridge, rice or noodles.
Cooked abalone at Premium K
Our cooked abalone comes from Wando, an island county on Korea's south coast known for abalone farming. Each piece goes through a 7-step washing and steaming process, and the packs are frozen with "proton freezing," a method that uses magnetic fields and electromagnetic waves to help keep the abalone's texture, color and flavor after thawing.
1. Whole Cooked Abalone (130 g, 6–7 pieces)
Whole abalone meat, cleaned and cooked, about 6 to 7 pieces per 130 g tray. A good choice for butter-grilled abalone or any dish where you want the full shape on the plate. A smaller 45 g pack with 3 pieces is also available.
2. Sliced Cooked Abalone (130 g)
The same Wando abalone, already sliced. Use it straight in porridge, rice, ramyeon or pasta without picking up a knife. It also comes in a smaller 40 g pack.
How to use cooked abalone
Thawing: move the pack to the refrigerator the night before, or place the sealed pack in a bowl of cold water until soft. Pat the meat dry before cooking.
Keep the heat short. Because the abalone is already cooked, you only need to warm it. Long cooking makes abalone firm and chewy, so add it near the end.
- Jeonbok-juk (abalone rice porridge): sauté sliced abalone in a little sesame oil, add soaked rice and water, and simmer until creamy. Season with salt or soy sauce.
- Butter-grilled abalone: score the top of whole abalone in a crosshatch, then pan-sear in butter with garlic for a minute or two per side. Finish with a drizzle of soy sauce.
- Jeonbok-bap (abalone rice): place sliced abalone on top of rice before cooking it, then mix with butter or soy sauce and serve with gim.
- Ramyeon, noodles and pasta: drop sliced abalone in during the last minute of cooking.
Storage tip: keep the packs frozen until you use them. Once thawed, keep the abalone in the refrigerator, use it soon, and do not refreeze it.
Where to buy cooked abalone in the U.S.
Premium K is a Los Angeles-based Korean food shop that ships across the mainland U.S. Cooked abalone is a frozen item, so it ships on Mondays and Tuesdays (Pacific Time) to keep it cold in transit. Shelf-stable items ship soon after you order.
- LA Koreatown: free same-day delivery on orders of $49 or more
- California: free shipping on orders of $99 or more
- Mainland U.S.: free shipping on orders of $149 or more
You can also visit our store at 3506 W. 8th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90005 (Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 6:30 PM).
FAQ
Is cooked abalone ready to eat?
Yes. It is fully cooked. Thaw it and eat it as is, or warm it briefly in porridge, rice, noodles or a hot pan.
How do I thaw frozen cooked abalone?
Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, or put the sealed pack in cold water until it softens. Pat it dry before pan-searing.
Should I buy whole or sliced cooked abalone?
Choose whole abalone for butter grilling or serving on a plate. Choose sliced abalone for porridge, abalone rice and noodles, where bite-sized pieces are easier.
Where can I buy Korean abalone in Los Angeles?
Order online at premium-k.com (free same-day delivery in LA Koreatown on orders of $49 or more) or visit the Premium K store at 3506 W. 8th Street in Koreatown.