my father told me that it will going to be our dinner.
After we took our seat at the street restaurant, the server just grabbed an octopus from the water tank, rinsed it with fresh water, and plated right to our table. It was such a bizarre moment to see the live, wriggling octopus on a plate. First thought that came through my mind was fear. I was afraid to take a bite on a live animal, but I felt that it will be an amazing experience. Once this live octopus was cut into pieces on the table, seasoned with sesame oil and served immediately, I witnessed the squirming tentacles on the plate. Eating this was mentally challenging, as I thought eating a living thing was disgusting. However, there was more to it; it was also physically challenging, as the tentacles stick to any surface they touch. I had to struggle with these moving tentacles before I tasted it. First, I had to get the tentacles off my chopsticks, and I managed to stuff it into my mouth. Then, the tentacles stick to my teeth, the roof of mouth, and tongue. Finally, they moved inside my mouth, which felt awkward. The tentacles continued to move as if they were still trying to hold onto its life. A party was happening in my mouth as the tentacles wriggled around and stick to everywhere as I chewed it. Suddenly, I could taste the slightly salty juice of octopus, and that’s when the aromatic sesame seasoning bloomed in my mouth. Then I enjoyed the extremely chewy texture of it. It was the best chewy and salty food I have ever tasted, although I had chew it thoroughly because I knew that the suction caps on tentacles could cause choking hazard. I finally swallowed it, and I could still feel it move as it is going down through my throat. Once I tasted it, I started to eat as if I had starved for three days. Ever since then, sannakji became one of the most unique food I have ever tasted in my life.
Foodsion/April, 2014 40