Durian, durian, the magical fruit
People say you smell like a toot.
Spiky, pointy, hanging from trees,
The sight of you brings me to my knees.
People crack you open with a knife,
The first taste nearly changed my life.
A custard-like inside is a surprising treat,
Every day I want to eat.
I’ll never understand why your smell and taste offends,
I’ll forever be here to defend.
Durian, durian, I miss you so,
Back to Malaysia I must go.
Before you freak and and think I’m a monster for eating 산낙지 (Sannakji), otherwise known as live octopus, let me tell you something: it’s not really alive. Well, it’s alive when it gets to the table, but then the server chops it up into bite-sized pieces. The pieces squirm around for about 20 minutes afterward.
To avoid any life-threatening consequences, you need to make sure to soak the tentacles in sesame oil and chew carefully.
I would write more, but I think the video says it all.
Yes, you read that correctly. Fish guts. And egg sacs. Together. In a bowl.
It’s called Altang, and it’s apparently a pretty popular soup in Korea; although I hadn’t heard of it until last weekend.
Lunar New Year isn’t until next week, but that hasn’t stopped the parents from sending celebratory goodies for the past five days. Well, I shouldn’t say goodies; more like goody. There’s only one way to celebrate the Korean New Year, and it’s with tteok (떡).
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Dotorimuk is basically mashed-up acorns that have been turned into Jell-O and dressed with soy sauce and sesame oil. It’s a very popular side dish in Korea, particularly among hikers…not so much foreigners.
Except for me, that is. I love this stuff. I pray for it to be part of the day’s school lunch. I cross my fingers that it’s served with dinner. I sometimes have dreams where I high dive into a pool of it, then paddle for hours with my mouth open until every drop is gone.
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