KMK: 10 Unusual Korean Dishes

There’s something about the strange and unusual people find alluring. Whether it’s walking off the well worn path to explore the wild unknown or gazing for hours at Dali’s Swans Reflecting Elephants the different can sometimes border on sublime and  draw people in like an alcoholic to a liquor store.

KICK ASS KOREA reason 14

1. Budae Jjigae (부대찌개) AKA Army Base Stew

Budae Jjigae is a fusion stew originating from both the second World War as well as the Korean War. During wartime food was scarce, rations short, and people starving. If you wanted to eat you had to be creative. So folks living near by or working in US army bases took left over supplies of army goods like spam, beans, hot dogs and added in some homegrown Korean kimchi and presto you’ve got some Budae Jjigae ready to be devoured. You can also throw in bacon, ramen or whatever else suits your fancy.

Where to Eat It:

Though you can find Budae Jjigae throughout Seoul in many different restaurants you may as well head to Budae Jjigae Street in Uijeongbu in northern Seoul.

Address:

7, Hoguk-ro 1309beon-gil, Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi-do
경기도 의정부시 호국로1309번길 7 (의정부동) 일대

2. Bokeo (복어) AKA Blow fish Deathwish

Russian Roulette to tame for you? In the mood to face a delicious dish of death? Then have no fears because blow fish has enough tetrodotoxin to take you and a restaurant full of fellow diners out, permanently. How does on exactly eat such a fish without succumbing to the great beyond? Seek out a well trained chef with the skills to slice and dice that blow fish without cutting into the poisonous saturated internal organs. Korean blow fish is usually served boiled with veggies and red pepper paste as opposed to the sashimi Japanese style.

Where to Eat It:

종로삼대복집

Address: 종로구 안국동 132 (Jongno Anguk-dong 132)

Telephone: 02 715 7679

Anguk subway (line 3) exit 2. Cross over the street, walk straight and then make a left down the small road.

3. Dakbal (닭발) AKA Chicken Feet

Do you love chicken? Most do. If so I have a whole new part of the bird you may not have considered having as part of your meal: the feet! Actually, if you’re from the south in the United States you probably don’t find this very surprising at all. Anyway, it can be served boneless or with bones and slathered in super spicy red pepper sauces along with chili seeds and onions. You might be surprised to find that the meat is tender and juicy with crispy skin to add to the deliciousness. Have it with some soju and you won’t go wrong.

Where to Eat It:

This is easy. Seek out your nearest pochangmacha (포장마차) the street food tents literally are all over Seoul.

4. Sannakji (산낙지) AKA Live Octopus Sashimi

Sannakji may not be for the faint of heart. Once you order it up an octopus will be plucked fresh from the tank, sliced, diced, and drizzled with sesame oil. But don’t expect much in the way of taste. The writhing little tentacles take on the flavor of whatever sauce you happen to be dipping them in. Word of caution: chew thoroughly or else you might find tentacle stuck in your throat. Definitely, an unpleasant experience. But don’t let that scare you off because it’s also known as an aphrodisiac in Korea. So, skip the oysters and get your sannakj on.

Where to Eat It:

Noryangjin Market 노량진수산 – Noryangjin Station 노량진역

5. Gaebul (개불) AKA Penis Fish

Gaebul, also known as the spoon worm, is one of those foods that summon up Iac McCllen as Gandalf, clad in his grey robes, clutching that staff and proclaiming, “THOU SHALL NOT PASS!” Because this sea critter shall never pass by my lips. Unsurprisingly, this is another aphrodisiac, but I don’t see how any stamina can be had from devouring such a thing, well I guess I should say actually eating such a thing. Ha. Word has it the texture is like rubber doused in salt water. Hard pass, for me. But for you brave and bold types, please report back!

Where to Eat It:

You can find this at most seafood restaurants. When in doubt hit up Noryangjin Market 노량진수산 – Noryangjin Station 노량진역

6. Dalkttongjip (닭똥집) AKA Chicken Booty

So not too keen on chicken now are you? If I’m wrong then get ready for fried chicken butt. Think chicken nuggets, but chewier… Actually, it’s not really the chicken sphincter you’ll be chowing down on. Just think of chicken doing kegels and then you’ll get the idea of what you’ll be eating. Ha! If you’re still reading then try not to focus on exactly what it is. I mean, it’s just meat, right? They’ll fry it up with onions, garlic, maybe some peppers and you’ll be ready.

Where to Eat It:

Usually can be found at pubs, drinking houses, served up as an anju alongside your beer or soju.

7. Gopchang (곱창 ) AKA Fried Cow Intestines

This one I didn’t even want to put on the list, because my Grandma would cook up a mean batch of Gopchang (chitlins) back home. The main difference here is that the Koreans fry theirs while back home we boil ours. Grams served it up with hot sauce and greens alongside onions. Koreans fry or sometimes BBQ it up Korean style or a stir fry.

Where to Eat It:

Gyodae Gopchang 교대곱장
02-3474-9167
Open till 1am
Go out Seoul National University of EDUCATION exit 14 and walk straight. I used to live a block away and I ate there at least once a month.

8. Boshintang (보신탕 ) AKA Dog Meat Soup

This one has controversy all over it. Boshintang is a soup where the main ingredient happens to be dog meat. You can see the problem. Beloved the world over most folks aren’t too keen on having dog on the dinner table. Even in Korea it’s slowly dying out. Still, you can go and track it down. In Seoul the food taboo of serving dog has seen restaurants who served it fade away. Still it’s out there, but I haven’t tried it.

Where to Eat It:

If you really want it, you’ll find a way.

9. Hongeo (홍어) AKA Rotten Skate

You know you’re eating hongeo because it packs a punch to the face. A sharp aromatic pungent punch that will leave you dizzy on your feet. You see, hongeo is a fermented fish, cousin to the shark, that oozes urine from its pores. So, after marinating in its own “juices” for about a month the skate is cut up sashimi style and served with bossam (pork belly) and kimchi. I think to mask the odious flavor and odor, but if that’s the case it fails miserably. The secret, I hear, is to breathe through your nose. I suggest a full on mask and oxygen tank.

Where to Eat It:

Grandma’s Hongeo House (할매홍어집)

02-842-6868 Take exit one or two from Yeongdeungpo Station. Follow the main road until you reach U-shin intersection (우신사거리),keep going to the Hana Bank on the corner. The hongeo street will be behind the bank.

10. Beondegi (번데기) AKA Boiled Silk Worm Pupae

It starts with a smell: an acrid rancid odor that wafts through the air like a cloud of mustard gas. If you smell that you know you’re on the right track to finding someone selling Beondegi. It’s a popular Korean snack. Boiled or sometimes steamed these cups full of silkworm pupae tastes salty and maybe it was my imagination but I swear I felt an oozing sensation. The woman had a whole giant pot of them just waiting to be devoured.

Where to Eat It:

This is another easy one. Seek out your nearest pochangmacha (포장마차) the street food tents literally are all over Seoul. Street Vendors for the win!

If you’ve tried any of these dishes please let us know all about the experience! Weaker palettes want to know!