Sannakji
Raw octopus that's still wriggling
Think of it as: Like octopus sashimi that hasn't gotten the memo
It's still moving. Chew well.
What does it taste like?
Nutty sesame oil, salt and a faint sweetness from the octopus.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureChewy, with suckers that grip
What is it?
Live long-arm octopus chopped right before serving and dressed with sesame oil and salt. In Korea the tentacles are still squirming on the plate.Source: Wikipedia
How locals eat it
Ordered at raw fish restaurants or markets as a snack with soju.
Watch it
More videos on YouTubeWhere is it from?
🇰🇷South Korea
CapitalSeoul
Populationabout 51.6 millionUN estimate for 2026
IndustriesSemiconductors, Cars, Shipbuilding, K-pop and K-dramas
Common surnamesKim, Lee, ParkFrom national statistics and surname surveys; rankings vary by source
Famous peopleBTSGlobally popular group
HelloAnnyeonghaseyo
CurrencyWon
And JapanOne of Japan's closest neighbors. Fukuoka to Busan is about 200 km
Fun factPeople eat seaweed soup on their birthday
The flag🇰🇷 Called the Taegukgi: white is peace, the circle in the middle is yin and yang, and the four corner symbols are heaven, earth, water and fire.
From Tokyoabout 1,150 kmstraight line, Tokyo to Seoul
Getting thereabout 2.5 hours from Tokyo (direct)rough guide
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeSpring from April to May, or October to November for fall colors. Also tryBibimbapSamgyeopsalTteokbokki More from here🐛 Beondegi🐟 Hongeo-hoe🪱 Gaebul🌭 Sundae🍲 Budae-jjigae
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeSpring from April to May, or October to November for fall colors. Also tryBibimbapSamgyeopsalTteokbokki More from here🐛 Beondegi🐟 Hongeo-hoe🪱 Gaebul🌭 Sundae🍲 Budae-jjigae
🇰🇷 Sounds & life in South Korea
안녕하세요Hello（Annyeonghaseyo）
Hangul
Hangul
Right now…
Anthem"Patriotic Song" (애국가)
MusicK-pop Pop with seriously polished singing and dancing
SportBaseball (soccer is hugely popular too)
Son Heung-min (soccer; captain of the Korean national team) World HeritageSeokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple and more National animalTiger (unofficial) National flowerRose of Sharon (mugunghwa) FestivalChuseok (around September-October)
MusicK-pop Pop with seriously polished singing and dancing
SportBaseball (soccer is hugely popular too)
Son Heung-min (soccer; captain of the Korean national team) World HeritageSeokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple and more National animalTiger (unofficial) National flowerRose of Sharon (mugunghwa) FestivalChuseok (around September-October)
Ingredients
- 1 live long-arm octopus
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- Pinch of salt
- Toasted sesame seeds
Can't find it? Regular octopus sashimi gives you the flavor, minus the drama.
How to make it (one way)
- Rinse the live octopus well.
- Cut the tentacles into small pieces.
- Plate and dress with sesame oil and salt.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Chew thoroughly so the suckers don't stick in your throat.
⚠️ The suckers can stick in the throat and cause choking. Chew thoroughly.