I received this via email today from Sushi-Ko's publicity agency.

"Whale" crabs, the fish monger's term for the elite and colossal
size soft shell crabs with a limited season, have arrived, as have the delicious
fresh Alaskan Spot Prawns. Considered a delicacy, Alaska's Spot Prawns are proudly
hailed for their sweet, delicate flavor and firm texture. Their robust size makes
them the largest shrimp in Alaska, with some reaching over five inches long.

At Sushi-Ko, guests can presently savor the Alaskan Spot Prawn sashimi with fresh
wasabi. The prawns arrive every Friday, making them available on weekends only
at the restaurant. The shrimp head is fried and the remainder is served as sashimi
priced at $11.

"In the spring the Whale Crabs first come up to us from Florida, and as temperatures
warm up, our supply is provided from Maryland waters and remain on our menu until
the fall," says Allen Smith, General Manager of Sushi-Ko.  "Crab connoisseurs
eagerly await their appearance each spring and these Whales are not easy to find."

Savory Whale crabs average $13.50 each (market price) and require special treatment
to maintain their intense flavors and delicate texture. Koji Terano and his
team at Sushi-Ko have mastered the correct cooking approach. They are prepared
"Kara-age". In this preparation the crab is lightly dusted with potato starch
and flash fried to achieve a light, crisp exterior.

It sounds like the best bet is to wait till later in the spring or early summer when the supply is coming from a more local source, but either way I might be heading to Sushi-Ko soon. These just sound yummy!

I wonder if these Whale crabs are a common thing at restaurants...From my reading, it seems like they are just very large soft crabs.