The world of gastronomy is filled with exotic delicacies, but some can be truly hazardous. One such perilous dish is “sannakji,” also known as “live octopus.”
A recent incident in South Korea, where an elderly man tragically passed away while indulging in this peculiar dish, has once again raised concerns about its safety.
He was eating the octopus live when he choked to death and died of asphyxiation, according to The Korea Herald.
A Fatal Indulgence
An 82-year-old man from the southern city of Gwangju met a tragic end while savoring sannakji. Despite the swift response of medical personnel, his life could not be saved.
Sannakji is a traditional South Korean dish that translates to “live octopus” that is salted and garnished with sesame oil.
What sets it apart from other seafood dishes is that it is served while the octopus’s tentacles are still moving on the plate. This live aspect of the dish adds to its uniqueness and allure but also poses a serious risk.
The Scene from ‘Oldboy’
Sannakji gained global infamy partly due to a memorable scene from the iconic 2004 Korean action thriller, ‘Oldboy,’ directed by Park Chan-wook.
In the film, the character played by Choi Min-sik devours a whole live octopus. However, real life is different from reel life and it isn’t consumed like that; in real life, the tentacles of the octopus is cut into smaller pieces before consumption.
The Grim Statistics
Unfortunately, the recent tragedy is not an isolated incident. Data from the Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters reveals that between 2007 and 2012, three individuals lost their lives due to asphyxiation after consuming live octopus.
The dangers persist, as two more deaths occurred in 2013 and another incident in 2019 involving a man in his 70s. These grim statistics emphasize the perilous nature of this culinary experience.
Image source: LWY via Wikipedia Commons