Sannakji (산낙지)
Eating live octopus is a delicacy here in Korea, and considered a healthy dish to consume. Who would have thought eating veggies and fruits is passé 😉 According to the USDA Nutrient Database (2007), cooked octopus contains approximately 139 calories per three ounce portion, and is a source of vitamin B3, B12, potassium, phosphorus and selenium. As for uncooked? I don’t really know.
Now great care must be taken when eating them, seeing as their tenticles are still moving when the dish is served. They are smart creatures, and have been known to be a choking hazard, like my friend Mihwa will tell you. Here’s a vid of an octopus escaping, a reminder of how squirmy these creatures are:
So officially the dish is called Sannakji. It consists of live nakji (낙지, a small octopus) that has been cut into small pieces and served immediately. It is usually seasoned with sesame oil and sesame seeds which I’m guessing making it an easier process to swallow. It can also be served whole, but I’m ok with just having the little pieces seeing as they are still moving and I have to eat it. So, here goes:
Live Octopus/ Sannakji:
From Korea With Love 