Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ryleeys]

I went out last night with several Korean friends. We went to this very small out of the way restaurant called "Mexican Chicken". I was very excited, as I thought I'd get to eat some Mexican food... alas, it was just a name.

Anyway, I was glancing over the Korean food on the menu when I came across �߶��� (offered both ���� and ��� style). Now, I don't know much Korean, but I know that "dalk" means chicken, "ddong" means poop, and "jip" means home. Turns out, it's the anus of a chicken, either pan fried or deep fried.

Am I the only one that finds this mildly disturbing? Especially since all my friends said they liked it and it's very delicious.

This did lead to an interesting discussion of what the weird things Americans eat are... and the only thing I could think of that the Koreans thought was disgusting was tripe. I've seen it at grocery stores there, but I've never eaten it or known anyone that did eat it.

[VanIslander]

I've eaten every part of cooked chicken and beef I think. That's what happens when you've spent some years in farming country. No biggie.

The idea of monkey brains as presented in Indiana Jones still makes me squirm though.

[indytrucks]

Chicken anus is fairly common anju, usually found soju hofs and pojangmachas.

I've had it numerous times in those settings. Not great, a little crunchy and chewy, but altogether not the most vile thing I've ever eaten.

[snufalufagus]

It's an issue of what you are brought up with. It's not just becuase you are from the US or Canada or whatever; it's cultural. I was brought up on cow tongue, scrambled eggs with cow or pig brains, and yes, tripe -- the main ingredient in the Mexican soup-like dish called menudo. It's hardly all disgusting, so don't knock any of it it 'til you try it.

[VanIslander]

[ryleeys]

Well, when I first came here, my theory was to eat first and ask questions later. That way, I wouldn't get scared off from trying anything. But one night, I ordered some very spicey soup that didn't taste too good... plus, it made me horrendously sick. When I asked my friend what it was, she said it was coagulated cow's blood. So now, I'm a bit more careful... though I still try things that I didn't eat in America. I'm a fan of the ��¡������� and the dried buttered squid. But some lines, I just can't cross.

[Mankind]

My wife took me out to eat this, not long after watching the Beavis and Butthead movie. WHen I asked her what it was she told me 'chicken bungholes' (funny as hell if you've seen Beavis on caffine pills)

HAND

[Ilsanman]

So I have heard, they are not actually the asses, but the gizzards.

Take that with a grain of salt, but it is possible. I wouldn't know. I won't eat them.

They eat chicken feet too. You can specify boneless if you want.

[Bulsajo]

Yes, they are the gizzards. Still, whether they are sphincters or gizzards I still avoid them.

[wylde]

[Homer]

Ate those in my first month in Korea back in 1997!

Didn't know what they were...oh well.

[Sucker]

Some Westerners eat them too.

My grandmother calls it the "Parson's nose" - don't know why.

I think you can buy both gizzards and bungholes at the food carts on Jongno Street

[dogbert]

The Pope's nose is a nubbin of fat that comes from the bird's ass, such as it is.

What ryleeys is confused about is, as someone else posted, actually the bird's gizzard, not it's anus. It's literal translation from Korean to English is "chicken sh*t house", but there is a more "polite" Korean word for the organ, "morae jumoni", which has a literal meaning of "sand pouch".

[dg611]

Those who may not be familliar with US Southern cuisine may not know that the part of the chicken commonly called the 'anus' in Korea is actually the gizzard. They are quite good and are also used in 'redneck' cuisine.
Enjoy with a little ginseng soju...a real treat! Also be sure to try MahkChang (��â) if you are in the Daegu area...this is 'entrails' of beef or pork...another not so lovely sounding but culinary delight.

Tip on eating in asia: NEVER ask what it is before you try it. If other people are eating it and not dying, you can too. Just keep a good glass of beer or soju handy to wash it down (read:wash the taste out of your mouth) if you don't like it. You might find a new favorite.

[dogbert]

When I was a kid (in the U.S.) our local KFC actually sold hearts, livers, and gizzards.