There’s something to be said about fresh seafood. It just tastes better. Plus, you know it’s not some funky defrosted, fished-who-knows-when mystery seafood.
So when I first read about San Nag-Jik, my curiosity was piqued, to say the least. I’m not sure what the tradition of it is, but I have a feeling it goes way, way back. There’s very primitive about it, but in a good way. After all, this is how we ate for millenia.
Oh, and in case you were wondering, San Nag-Jik is live octopus.
So in the interest of full disclosure, I should mention that the octopus is decapitated immediately before being served to us. So while it’s technically not alive when we eat it, it’s just as good. I mean unless you believe that there is something gained by actually taking the animal’s life with your teeth…
Ma San is easily overlooked on Olympic in the heart of K-Town. Open until 2 am, I suspect it draws in quite a crowd. In fact, I saw a waitress carrying food to what appeared to be a back room upstairs, so I suspect there’s a big underground dining scene here.
The restaurant itself is fairly bare-bones. Not much in the way of decoration, unless you can the dozen or so soju ads adorning the walls as decoration. Thick white PVC pipes keep the large and numerous fish tanks supplied with air, and it makes the place feel more like a fish market downtown than a restaurant.
Nevertheless, the menu (almost entirely in Korean) shows that this place is not for the cheapskate. Most menu options are upwards of $100.
But really, as far as we’re concerned, there’s only one reason to be there, and that’s the octopus!
So what is live octopus like? Flavor and texture-wise, it’s pretty similar to the ubiquitous octopus sushi… Although there is a loose layer of skin or some sort of membrane that covers the tougher and more rubbery inner parts. Overall it has the slightest hint of seafood but remains mostly flavorless. If anything, most of the taste comes from the sauce served alongside. The “traditional” sauce tasted like pure sesame oil. But one of the alternative sauces brought to us, which I sadly didn’t taste until the very end, was a bold and strong plum-like concoction with a hint of spice, quite delicious!
Rumors abound of people actually choking to death on the dish in Korea, allegedly because of the tentacles and their innumerable suction cups. Is it true? I have no idea. But, I will say this:
This tentacles put up a hell of a fight. They wrap around the chopstick, they grab hold of your tongue,they attach themselves to the roof of your mouth… It makes dinner into a much more dynamic experience. I had on bit latch onto my tongue as I tried to swallow it, so that it was partway down my throat but unwilling to go further. Awkward, but not unexpected…
The side dishes were also a bit unusual: the kimchi was nice, but they also served potato salad (yummy!) and boiled peanuts (in the shell).
It truly is a strange experience. And while not entirely unpleasant, I’d say that most of you might not react that well to it. Of course a liberal amount of soju would probably help, I’d really only recommend it for those not bothered by the idea of your food fighting back. Otherwise, if you want some of the freshest seafood you’ll ever eat, by all means check it out!
Ma San
2851 W. Olympic Blvd
K-Town
(213) 388-3314
$$
($25 for a plate of San Nag-Jik)
1 response so far ↓
1 georgina // Mar 27, 2008 at 5:45 am
that is the most disgusting thing ever !!!! amazing
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