Are you an adventurous foodie? If you are, I’m sure you will agree that nothing beats traversing the streets like a local, savouring every delicacy you can find. Food is a vital part when travelling as it gives you the chance to try out new, and sometimes strange foods. They can be quite different from what you may know, but that’s the best part – bringing your tastebuds on an adventure and trying a variety of new things!
South Korea is home to many delicious foods. Besides kimchi and bulgogi, which have become a global sensation, there are many other interesting dishes that you can try! If you are feeling up for an adventure, here are some slightly more unusual foods to try out the next time you can travel to Korea again.
1. Sundae
Don’t let the name fool you. This is no dessert.
Pronounced more like “soon day”, this dish is blood sausage made out of seasoned pig or cow intestines that’s been mixed together with other ingredients like rice, glass noodles, or beansprouts, to create a sausage. It is usually either steamed or boiled. The texture of sundae is almost similar to a sausage we normally have.
This is very popular in street vendors in South Korea, and you can find them almost everywhere!
2. Gopchang
Similar to sundae, gopchang is grilled beef (sometimes pork) intestines. It is very flavourful and has an interesting chewy texture, which is what the locals enjoy the most about it.
The gopchang is usually served alongside onion, garlic, hot pepper, and other kinds of side dishes, including sauces. Order them to try when you have some Korean barbecue the next time! It goes really well with soju too!
3. Sannakji
‘San’ means living, and ‘nakji’ means octopus, which is exactly what this dish is. It is one of the most popular foods in South Korean at seafood restaurants. Traditionally served with a drizzle of sesame oil, Sannakji is served immediately after being chopped. Therefore, the pieces are still moving and twitching when you put them into your mouth.
This might be a strange experience as you might not be used to your foods moving in your mouth, but the salty, sticky, and chewy dish will definitely be something you can brag about once you’ve tried it.
4. Hongeo
Hongeo might be one of Korea’s weirdest foods, and perhaps the most foul-smelling one! It is fermented skate, a type of ray-like fish that emits a very strong stink that smells like ammonia.
Leaning towards the pricier side, Hongeo is served in small strips and usually raw. It tastes a little salty on its own with a slightly rubbery texture. When trying this, it is best to inhale through your mouth and exhale through your nose to avoid smelling this dish. If you are feeling courageous and want to try something new, good luck!
Which of these will you be trying on your next trip to South Korea? Although we can’t travel now, learning and planning for your next trip can be a whole lot of fun too! You can also prepare by picking up the local language with Korean lessons here at Sejong Korean Language School in Singapore! The most important thing when travelling to Korea is to go with an open mind to experience a whole new world of flavours!