Comments on: Eating Live Animals: One Eater’s Experience in Korea

By: David

David — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 02:32:39 +0000

Ok, I have never been one to back down from a food challenge.

However, I draw the line at trying to eat something that is fighting me back, as I try to eat it.

Awesome article.

I laughed so much reading it and thinking about what must have been going through your mind as you were sitting there poking it.

By: Jack

Jack — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 02:30:19 +0000

I think it’s sannakji, live octopus, probably swimming within a minute of being on your plate. Look for it cheaply in the Seoul fish market, the fish vendors will help you pick one out of the tank and talk to a nearby café about preparation for you. I recommend wrapping the bigger, organ chunks in sesame leaf so you don’t gag, but the tentacles are delicious. Ignore warnings about them grabbing onto your throat and choking you, the worst they do is wrestle with your tongue a bit.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 20 May 2010 04:19:16 +0000

Yes, it is the sea cucumber. I was a bit taken aback, because it looks very soft, but actually crunches when i bite into it. I prefer the moenggye though. ^^

By: The Red Crabs of Christmas Island

The Red Crabs of Christmas Island — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 18:18:52 +0000

[...] CONNECTION Animals can be the subjects of some amazing travel photography. They can also make a tasty cultural treat. Whether you prefer conserving of consuming critters you should check out BNT’s 5 Exotic [...]

By: Carnival of links to great food and travel content | Roaming Tales

Carnival of links to great food and travel content | Roaming Tales — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:21:43 +0000

[...] Lauren Girardin writes about eating live animals in Korea for [...]

By: John

John — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 05:22:20 +0000

Nice article! When I was at Jeju Island, I had live octopus caught fresh by a 74 year old haenyo (woman diver), and she cut it up right there on the rocks. It tasted fresh and clean.

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:26:53 +0000

So the freakiest part about it is you put it in your mouth once, tried to chew, took it out when it didn’t work, and then put it back in and just let it hang out for a bit. If at first you don’t succeed…run away.

By: Lauren

Lauren — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:49:23 +0000

@Hal Amen – I think it was sliced up sea cucumber, one of the uglier seafood out there. I’m dying to know for sure. Even though I specifically avoided the live octopus – I learned on the road that while I’ll try anything once, I won’t necessarily order it – but I still got suck with live food anyway.

By: Hal Amen

Hal Amen — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:37:48 +0000

Did you ever find out what it was? I tried live baby octopus in Korea, but that’s not what this sounds like. I guess there’s an infinite variety of half-kicking goopy seafood out there.

By: Lauren

Lauren — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:10:24 +0000

@SmokvaTokyo – Thanks! The fourth photo is definitely me in one of my “occasional acts of immaturity,” poking the sea creature in hopes it would crawl away. I would love to make it to Tokyo one day soon.