Bibimbap and BBQ are delicious, but they are for tourists. If you want to earn the title of “Seoul Survivor,” you must face the dark side of K-Food.
Korea has a unique culinary history where “nothing goes to waste.” Therefore, we eat feet, blood, and even bugs. To foreigners, this is a horror movie. To locals, this is a Friday night party.
I have created the ultimate Korean Food Challenge. Samgyeopsal is not on this list. That is too easy. We start with “Scary” and end with “Nightmare.”
Welcome to Level 1. Let me tell you about the time I ate a bug thinking it was a peanut.
Level 1: The “Peanut” Mistake
Flashback: Han River Park at night.
Initially, I was walking through the park when a savory, nutty smell hit my nose. I saw a vendor selling small, brown, roasted things in a steaming cup. Confidently, I thought, “Oh! Boiled peanuts or beans! A healthy protein snack.”
I bought a cup for 3,000 won. I tossed one into my mouth and chewed. Suddenly, I felt it pop. I looked closely at the cup. The “nut” had ridges. And segments. And eyes? I screamed so loud that a cyclist almost fell off his bike. They were bugs. Steamed Silkworm Pupae.
Enter “Ssam” (The Fearless Eater)
Later, I showed the cup to Ssam, shaking. “Ssam, why are you people eating insects? Is this a survival show?”
Ssam popped a bug into his mouth. “Alice, this is Beondaegi. It’s savory and good for your skin!”
He set the rules for the Korean Food Challenge: “Don’t look at the shape. Just taste the flavor. If you can eat Level 5, you are basically Korean.”
Level 3: The Korean Food Challenge Menu
Here are the 5 stages of weirdness. How far can you go?
★☆☆☆☆ Level 1: Sundae (Blood Sausage)
It sounds scary (“Blood”), but it is the easiest entry.
- What is it? Pig intestines stuffed with glass noodles and pig blood.
- The Fear: The color is black, and it looks like a snake.
- The Reality: It tastes like a mild, chewy sausage. It doesn’t taste like iron or blood at all.
- Tip: Dip it in salt or Tteokbokki sauce.
★★☆☆☆ Level 2: Yukhoe (Raw Beef)
Steak Tartare’s Korean cousin.
- What is it? Raw beef strips seasoned with sesame oil, pear, and raw egg yolk.
- The Fear: “It’s raw meat! Will I get sick?”
- The Reality: It is sweet, nutty, and melts in your mouth. It is extremely fresh.
★★★☆☆ Level 3: Dakbal (Chicken Feet)
Now it gets visual.
- What is it? Literal feet of a chicken, usually marinated in super spicy sauce.
- The Fear: It looks like a baby hand. You can see the toes.
- The Reality: There is no meat. You eat the skin and cartilage. It is very spicy and collagen-rich.
★★★★☆ Level 4: San-nakji (Live Octopus)
The famous “moving” dish.
- What is it? Octopus chopped up while alive. The nerves keep moving.
- The Fear: The suction cups stick to your tongue and throat.
- The Reality: It tastes like the ocean and sesame oil.
- Warning: Chew thoroughly. Choking is a real (though rare) risk.
★★★★★ Level 5: Beondaegi (Silkworm Pupae)
The Final Boss.
- What is it? Steamed bugs.
- The Fear: Everything. It looks like a cockroach. The smell is pungent.
- The Texture: Soft outside, juicy inside. It “pops” when you bite.
- Verdict: Most foreigners fail here. Can you do it?
Level 4: Deep Dive (Ssam’s Insight)
(Why eat the weird stuff?)
The Culture of “Al-ddeul” (Frugality)
You might ask, “Why eat feet and bugs?” Historically, Korea suffered from many wars and poverty. Specifically, during hard times, common people could not afford to throw away any part of an animal.
Therefore, they cooked the intestines (Sundae), the feet (Dakbal), and the blood. As for Beondaegi, it was a cheap, abundant protein source for factory workers in the 1970s. Today, we eat them for nostalgia and taste, but they symbolize the resilience of the Korean spirit.
Level 5: Ssam’s Secret Map (The Arena)
(Where to take the challenge?)
Go to Gwangjang Market. It is the coliseum for food fighters. You can find ALL 5 levels here.
📍 Gwangjang Market
- What: The best place for Sundae, Yukhoe, and San-nakji.
- Location: [Click for Naver Map]
- Mission: Find the “Netflix Lady” stall for Kalguksu after your challenge.
📍 Pocha Street (Jongno 3-ga)
- What: The best place for Chicken Feet (Dakbal) and Soju.
- Location: [Click for Naver Map]
Alice’s Bottom Line: Chew Fast
For the Korean Food Challenge, my advice is simple: Don’t stare at it. Close your eyes. Put it in your mouth. Chew fast. If you swallow Level 5, I will buy you a beer.
Good luck.
Survival Hangul: Challenge Edition
- “징그러워요!” (It’s gross/creepy!)
- “도전!” (Challenge!)
- “물 주세요.” (Water, please – for the spicy feet).
Read This Next (Before You Make Another Mistake)
Survived the bugs? Try something safe now.