Live king crab in Bangkok is served at Taraba Prime, a premium Japanese seafood restaurant on Sukhumvit Soi 20, a 5-minute walk from BTS Asok. Each live Taraba king crab is flown in from Japan and prepared to order three ways — kani sashimi, crab steak, and nabe hot pot — with reservations by phone at 094-456-1124 or LINE @tarabaprime.
- Taraba Prime keeps live Taraba king crab in a tank on-site — one crab is prepared 3 ways in a single order: sashimi, steak, and nabe, enough for 2–4 diners.
- Location: Sukhumvit Soi 20, about 5 minutes on foot from BTS Asok, also reachable via the MRT Sukhumvit interchange (add 2–3 minutes).
- Reserve ahead: call 094-456-1124 or add LINE @tarabaprime — live stock is limited because every crab is flown in from Japan.
- The menu is trilingual (English / Thai / Japanese), so foreign visitors can confirm crab weight and price before ordering.
- Live crab pricing starts at , versus Bangkok hotel crab buffets averaging per person.
Last updated for 2026. Buffet ratings referenced below were checked on TripAdvisor in September 2026.
Where Can You Find Live King Crab in Bangkok? (Quick Answer)
Live king crab in Bangkok is available at Taraba Prime on Sukhumvit Soi 20, a 5-minute walk from BTS Asok. Taraba Prime keeps live Taraba king crab flown in from Japan and prepares each crab to order as sashimi, steak, or nabe hot pot — not pre-frozen, not buffet-style, and priced by weight before anything is cooked.
The distinction matters. Most "king crab" advertised around Bangkok comes from hotel buffets serving pre-cooked, previously frozen Alaskan king crab legs. A live-tank restaurant works differently: you pick a moving crab, staff weigh it, quote the price, and it reaches your table within minutes.
Two details to confirm before you go: opening hours are , and live crab pricing starts at . You can check the live Taraba king crab menu and current prices before you book.
Why live crab matters: the 30-second version
Kani sashimi is raw crab meat cut from a crab that was alive minutes before serving — translucent, sweet, and juicy. It can only be made from live crab; frozen crab loses moisture and natural sweetness in the freezer and must be served cooked. So the fastest quality test in Bangkok is simple: if a restaurant offers kani sashimi from a visible tank, the crab is genuinely live.
How to reserve your crab before you arrive (phone / LINE)
Reservations for live king crab at Taraba Prime work two ways: call 094-456-1124 or message LINE @tarabaprime. LINE is the easier route for foreign visitors — you can add the account from any country, chat in English, and confirm crab availability, weight, and price before committing. Agreeing on the price in writing also removes any bill anxiety later.
Live King Crab vs Frozen King Crab: Why the Difference Is Worth Paying For
Live king crab differs from frozen king crab in texture, sweetness, and the dishes it allows: only a crab killed minutes before serving can become translucent kani sashimi, while frozen crab loses moisture and sweetness during freezing. That is why Bangkok crab buffets serve their king crab pre-cooked and reheated — sashimi is physically impossible with their supply chain.
A mistake visitors make constantly: seeing "king crab" on a buffet banner and assuming it is the same product as live-tank crab. The species may be identical. The handling is not — and handling is what you taste.
What does "Taraba" actually mean? (Same crab, very different experience)
Taraba king crab is the red king crab — called taraba-gani in Japanese — the same species sold as Alaskan king crab. In Japan it is caught in the cold waters around Hokkaido and treated as the highest grade of crab in Japanese cuisine, which is why premium Japanese restaurants use the Japanese name.
So the real dividing line in Bangkok is not Taraba vs Alaskan. It is live vs frozen. A live Taraba king crab and a frozen Alaskan leg started life as the same animal — one stayed alive until minutes before serving; the other was cooked, frozen, shipped, and reheated. Taraba Prime brings in live crab .
Comparison table: live tank vs frozen
| Factor | Live-tank king crab | Frozen king crab (buffet) |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Firm, juicy, springy | Softer, often waterlogged |
| Sweetness | Full natural sweetness | Diminished after freezing |
| Dishes possible | Sashimi, steak, nabe, grilled | Steamed / reheated legs only |
| Pricing model | By weight, quoted per crab | Flat per-person buffet rate |
Best King Crab Restaurants in Bangkok 2026: Buffet vs Live à la Carte vs Fine Dining
King crab restaurants in Bangkok fall into three formats in 2026: hotel crab buffets such as Novotel Sukhumvit 20 and Goji Kitchen + Bar, French fine dining like Blue by Alain Ducasse, and live-tank Japanese à la carte at Taraba Prime — the only option among them built around live Taraba king crab prepared to order.
Each format wins at something different. Being honest about the trade-offs saves you from booking the wrong experience for your group.
Crab buffets (Novotel, Goji Kitchen + Bar, Food Exchange): best for volume, not freshness
Hotel crab buffets are the value play: unlimited crab legs at a fixed rate — Novotel Sukhumvit 20 charges and Goji Kitchen + Bar per person. Ratings are genuinely strong: TripAdvisor lists Goji Kitchen + Bar at 4.9 and Kinkin at 4.8 in the crab category (checked September 2026). The trade-off is fixed: the crab arrives pre-frozen and reheated, so no sashimi and a softer bite.
Fine dining (Blue by Alain Ducasse, Cuisine Unplugged): best for the occasion, crab is one dish among many
French fine dining venues such as Blue by Alain Ducasse treat king crab as one course inside a tasting menu. The experience is superb, but you are paying for the full production — service, wine pairing, riverside setting — and the crab is a supporting actor. Book this for an anniversary, not a crab craving.
Live-tank Japanese (Taraba Prime): best for crab-first diners who want sashimi-grade quality
Taraba Prime is the crab-first option: you select a live Taraba king crab from the tank, priced at , and the kitchen prepares it three ways for your table. Per person it costs more than a buffet — but it is the only format in Bangkok where kani sashimi is even possible.
Decision table: which option fits you
| You want… | Best choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum quantity, fixed budget | Hotel buffet (Novotel, Goji Kitchen + Bar) | Unlimited legs, flat per-person rate |
| A special-occasion tasting menu | Blue by Alain Ducasse | Crab as one refined course |
| Sashimi-grade live crab | Taraba Prime | Live tank, 3-way preparation, EN menu |
| Crab + A5 wagyu in one meal | Taraba Prime | Miyazaki A5 wagyu on the same menu |
How Live Taraba King Crab Is Served: Sashimi, Steak, and Nabe from One Crab
Live Taraba king crab at Taraba Prime is prepared three ways from a single crab: the thickest legs are served raw as kani sashimi, mid-section legs are grilled as crab steak, and the body plus remaining legs go into a nabe hot pot — so one crab becomes a full multi-course meal for 2–4 diners.
First-timers often worry about "ordering wrong" at a Japanese live-seafood restaurant. You don't need to. The three-way split is the standard serving method at high-end Japanese crab restaurants, and staff walk you through every choice. Here is exactly how it goes:
- Choose your crab from the live tank. Staff show you crabs of different weights and quote the exact price by weight before anything is prepared — no surprises on the bill.
- Split the preparation — sashimi, steak, nabe. The fattest legs become kani sashimi (sweet, translucent, eaten raw), several legs are grilled as steak to concentrate the sweetness, and the body simmers in a nabe hot pot with vegetables.
- Finish the nabe broth the Japanese way. After the crab is eaten, the broth is loaded with crab essence — ask about the traditional finish: so nothing goes to waste.
How much crab do you need for 2, 3, or 4 people?
Crab size is the single decision that most affects your bill. Taraba Prime typically stocks crabs of . Rule of thumb: order one crab per 2–4 diners, then add sushi or wagyu dishes rather than a second crab — a whole Taraba king crab is more food than most first-timers expect. Confirm weight and price when you book via LINE.
Beyond King Crab: Miyazaki A5 Wagyu, Premium Sushi & Omakase on Sukhumvit 20
Taraba Prime on Sukhumvit Soi 20 pairs its live king crab with Miyazaki A5 wagyu, uni, otoro, dry-aged sushi sets, foie gras unagi don, chirashi, and omakase-style courses, with seafood flown in from Japan daily — making it a one-stop choice for premium sushi and A5 wagyu near BTS Asok.
Miyazaki A5 wagyu: ribeye and sirloin cuts, and how they're best cooked
Miyazaki A5 wagyu is beef from Japan's Miyazaki Prefecture graded A5 — the highest grade in the Japanese beef grading system, judged on marbling, color, and texture. At Taraba Prime it is served as ribeye and sirloin portion cuts, seared slowly so the fine marbling renders without burning. Portion pricing: . See the full range of Miyazaki A5 wagyu dishes at Taraba Prime.
A5 wagyu sukiyaki & shabu shabu: what to expect
Sukiyaki and shabu shabu are the classic hot-pot ways to eat A5 wagyu: paper-thin slices swished for seconds in broth (shabu shabu) or simmered briefly in sweet soy (sukiyaki), so the marbling melts without overcooking. Availability and pricing at Taraba Prime: .
Dry-aged sushi, uni, otoro, and foie gras unagi don
Dry-aged sushi is a modern premium technique: fish is aged for days under controlled conditions to deepen umami before it touches the rice. Taraba Prime's daily imports from Japan also cover uni (sea urchin) and otoro (fatty tuna belly) — the two items most sensitive to freshness — plus a signature foie gras unagi don. Set pricing: .
Omakase-style dining: letting the chef build your course
Omakase is the Japanese dining format where the chef selects and sequences every dish based on the best ingredients of the day. If you can't choose between crab, wagyu, and sushi, the omakase-style course solves the problem: the chef balances all three around what arrived from Japan that morning. Browse the premium omakase and dry-aged sushi sets when planning your visit.
How to Get to Taraba Prime: A 5-Minute Walk from BTS Asok
Taraba Prime is located on Sukhumvit Soi 20 in central Bangkok, about a 5-minute walk from BTS Asok station and also reachable from MRT Sukhumvit. The restaurant carries a trilingual English, Thai, and Japanese menu and accepts reservations by phone at 094-456-1124 or LINE @tarabaprime.
Step-by-step walking directions from BTS Asok
- Exit BTS Asok at and head toward the even-numbered side of Sukhumvit Road.
- Walk along Sukhumvit Road until you reach the mouth of Sukhumvit Soi 20.
- Turn into Sukhumvit Soi 20 and keep walking — the full route from the station takes about 5 minutes.
- Look for the Taraba Prime signage. If unsure, message LINE @tarabaprime and staff will guide you the rest of the way in English.
Coming from MRT Sukhumvit or by taxi / Grab
MRT Sukhumvit connects directly to BTS Asok, so the walking route is identical — add 2–3 minutes for the interchange. By taxi or Grab, set the destination to "Taraba Prime, Sukhumvit Soi 20"; drop-off at the restaurant is straightforward. Parking and hours: .
Tips for foreign visitors: language, LINE reservations, payment
Foreign visitors face zero language barrier at Taraba Prime: the menu is printed in English, Thai, and Japanese, and staff routinely explain crab weights and preparation styles to tourists. Book via LINE @tarabaprime from any country, message in English, and confirm your crab size and price in the chat — everything is agreed before you arrive. Payment methods: .
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Ordering King Crab in Bangkok
The most common mistakes when ordering king crab in Bangkok are assuming buffet crab is fresh, skipping the live-tank check, walking in without a crab reservation, ordering the wrong crab size for your group, and overcooking premium items like Miyazaki A5 wagyu to medium well.
- Mistake 1: Believing all "king crab" is fresh. Tourists routinely pay premium buffet prices expecting live-crab quality and get reheated frozen legs. Warning signs of non-live crab: mushy, waterlogged meat, no visible tank, and staff who won't let you choose your own crab. A genuine live-crab restaurant is proud to show you the tank.
- Mistake 2: Not reserving your live crab ahead. Live stock is limited and flown in from Japan, so walk-ins risk hearing "sold out today." Book via 094-456-1124 or LINE @tarabaprime at least ahead.
- Mistake 3: Wrong crab size for your group. Two people ordering a crab sized for four leaves half the meal uneaten — and fully paid for. Tell staff your group size and let them recommend the weight.
- Mistake 4: Ordering A5 wagyu medium well. Japanese chefs recommend rare to medium rare for Miyazaki A5 wagyu because its dense marbling melts at low temperatures. You can order medium well, but the rendered-out fat takes the buttery texture — the very thing you paid A5 prices for — with it.
- Mistake 5: Not confirming prices before ordering. Live crab is priced by weight, so the bill varies by the crab you pick. Ask for the per-kilogram price and total weight before the crab leaves the tank. Reputable restaurants quote this upfront without hesitation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Live King Crab in Bangkok
These frequently asked questions cover where to find live king crab in Bangkok, what it costs, how it is prepared, whether reservations are required, and what else to order at a premium Japanese seafood restaurant near BTS Asok — including Miyazaki A5 wagyu and omakase options.
Where can I find live king crab in Bangkok?
Live king crab in Bangkok is available at Taraba Prime on Sukhumvit Soi 20, a 5-minute walk from BTS Asok, where live Taraba king crab from Japan is prepared to order as sashimi, steak, or nabe hot pot. Reserve via phone at 094-456-1124 or LINE @tarabaprime.
How much does live king crab cost in Bangkok?
Live king crab in Bangkok is priced by weight, typically at Taraba Prime, while hotel crab buffets charge a flat per-person rate of . Live crab costs more but delivers sashimi-grade freshness that frozen buffet crab cannot match.
What is the difference between Taraba king crab and Alaskan king crab?
Taraba king crab and Alaskan king crab are the same species — red king crab — with "taraba-gani" being the Japanese name. The real difference in Bangkok restaurants is preparation: Taraba served live from a tank allows raw kani sashimi, while Alaskan crab at hotel buffets is pre-frozen, then cooked and reheated.
Do I need to reserve live king crab in advance?
Reserving live king crab in advance is recommended because live stock is limited and flown in from Japan. Taraba Prime accepts reservations by phone at 094-456-1124 or via LINE @tarabaprime; booking ahead by guarantees a crab is set aside for your table.
Where can I eat A5 wagyu sukiyaki or shabu shabu in Bangkok?
A5 wagyu in Bangkok is served at premium Japanese restaurants including Taraba Prime on Sukhumvit Soi 20, which offers Miyazaki A5 wagyu alongside live king crab — making it possible to combine both in one meal near BTS Asok.
Can I order Miyazaki A5 wagyu medium well?
Miyazaki A5 wagyu can be ordered medium well, but Japanese chefs recommend rare to medium rare because A5's dense marbling melts at low temperatures. Cooking Miyazaki A5 wagyu to medium well renders out the intramuscular fat that defines its buttery texture and justifies its premium price.
Is there a good Japanese seafood restaurant near BTS Asok for tourists?
Taraba Prime near BTS Asok is a premium Japanese seafood restaurant suited to foreign visitors, with a trilingual English, Thai, and Japanese menu, seafood flown in from Japan daily, and signature dishes including live Taraba king crab, uni, otoro, dry-aged sushi sets, and omakase-style courses.
What is the best way to eat one live king crab?
The best way to eat one live king crab is the Japanese three-way preparation: the thickest legs served raw as kani sashimi, several legs grilled as crab steak, and the body simmered in a nabe hot pot — turning a single crab into a full course for 2–4 people.
Ready to lock in your crab? Reserve a table at Taraba Prime via LINE @tarabaprime and confirm your crab's weight and price before you even leave the hotel.