They call this “live” octopus. Really they are actually dead… pulled from the tanks and freshly killed by being chopped up. They are still moving and the suckers hold onto the plate, the insides of your cheek, and the roof of your mouth. Conceptually, it’s just like eating sashimi, only the Koreans use a seasoned sesame oil for dipping. It’s incredibly fun and if raw fish is your thing, this ultra fresh seafood is for you.
Sik Gaek 49-11 Roosevelt Avenue, Woodside, NY 11377 has a full menu of other Korean foods to try, but nothing else was incredibly notable. The prices are good (bill was $141.48 for 6 people and lots left-over) and I love the welcoming, English-speaking staff at this new Woodside location (much closer to Manhattan). I’d go again to have the “live” octopus.
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Sabrina loved watching this. She kept saying, “there’s Aunt Jessica, she’s eating”
Sound like utter filth to be honest. Octopus are fantastic animals, they should be left in peace to swim the oceans, not butchered to fulfil our hideous short term needs.
Chris, so are you a vegetarian, or do not eat any seafood?
Well, at least octopus are listed as sustainable. http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/SeafoodWatch/web/sfw_factsheet.aspx Jessica, maybe you should do a piece on sustainability?
Glad you could finally go. I’ve been egging you to go since last year!
-Eddie
Kasi, I’m not an expert on sustainability…
Eddie, sorry I couldn’t make it when you invited me to your outing. However, I can’t figure out who to give credit to as the first to tell me about this place since at least a dozen Korean friends have, and even Bill (a non-Asian). Plus, it was featured on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations.
Much as I love octopus, Jessica, I am passing on this one. I really, really don’t want suckers stuck in my mouth!
I saw this on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations and have been fascinated ever since. I’m headed to a conference in Seattle this summer, so I’ll be heading over to Pike Place Market to see if I can check it out. One question–is it a stinging kind of suction or a subtle pressure? I have sensitive gums…
EMC, it doesn’t hurt at all and the suction is pretty weak. The moving and strength subsides pretty quickly. This is for the chopped ones. I have heard of people eating whole octopus that are still alive. That seems to be dangerous and supposedly people have died from being choked by the octopus. When will you be in Seattle. I want to go!
Oh goodness! Choked by an octopus? Now that’s a foodie. I’m driving to Seattle in three days for a conference, and if I can seek out the octopus, I’m definitely trying it!
By the way, my mom is flying out here from Chicago, and we’re taking a trip to Portland/the Oregon coast. I’ll take some pics of all the fresh and wonderful seafood of the Pacific and Columbia River!
EMC, OMG! That is my next US based food trip Portland/Seattle/maybe Vancouver…you’ll have to give me a full report!
I think I’m going to have to try this next time i visit the restaurant. Went there once and had the big pot of seafood but didn’t notice the live octopus on the menu. Love the atmosphere of the place.
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