Sannakji

Sannakji is a Korean raw dish made from small live octopus, cut into pieces and served immediately with sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds. It is known for its unusual presentation, since the pieces can keep moving on the plate.

History

Sannakji belongs to the hoe family of raw dishes common in Korean cuisine. Its main ingredient is nakji, a small octopus usually identified as Octopus minor, smaller than the giant octopus.

The animal is typically killed, cut into small pieces and served at once, although it is less commonly served whole. It appears in restaurants that serve sliced raw fish and is also found in bars as a snack to accompany drinks such as soju.

The word nakji has different meanings in the two Koreas: in South Korea it refers to this small octopus, while in North Korea it designates a squid.

Culture

Sannakji is associated with the social life of bars and restaurants, where it is eaten as a snack alongside soju. It attracts diners looking for unusual food experiences, but it also sparks debate over the way it is eaten.

The pieces retain nerve activity and their suction cups can still grip, so they must be chewed thoroughly before swallowing. Some people prefer not to chew fully in order to feel the movement, a practice that carries risk, especially for those who are inexperienced or have been drinking.

The dish has also drawn protests from animal rights organisations, which argue that octopuses feel pain, while its defenders maintain that the animal is killed before serving and that the movement is only residual nerve activity.

Trivia