6. Live Octopus, Korea
Ever tried to enjoy a meal that decided to fight back? No, me neither, but that is what you are going to get if you take a trip to Korea. Sannakji is a live octopus that you eat raw, and by raw I mean still alive. The locals call it a “party in your mouth”. Although you might want to just stay home.
The octopus is traditionally cut into pieces, lightly seasoned with sesame oil and served immediately, with the tentacles still squirming on your plate.
Not only do you have to contend with the spectacle of your dinner still moving, it’s quite a challenge to get it off your chopsticks and into your mouth. Once you have actually got it into your mouth, its tentacles will suction to your teeth and the roof of your mouth.
Eating this Korean delicacy comes with a little peril as well. Nevermind the trauma of chewing something that is still wriggling in your mouth, you have the problem of swallowing. If you haven’t chewed it thoroughly you run the risk of the suction cups sticking to the inside of your throat and choking you.
