Beondegi AKA Boiled Silkworm Pupae - Street Food

Beondgi, or boiled silkworm is a popular Korean snack sold by street vendors across the land. You always know when you are approaching someone selling a nice boiling pot of silkworms as the smell is something you will not mistake for anything else.  In fact you may not even think the smell you are smelling is food. (Ummm, because it IS NOT - it's bugs, FREAKING BUGS!)

For years I have avoided putting one of these tasty treats in my mouth.  The smell alone is enough to make one cringe, and you guys know I will eat most anything, including yummy delicious (not) snake eggs in Cambodia. I like pushing myself to do things and most of the time I feel proud...I tried it, I did it!  I conquered the beast!
These silkworms though....they were a bigger beast than I was hoping for....

Crunchy on the outside and as you bite down they squirt.  They squirt NASTY bits of squishy slime that I can only imagine to be yellowish green in color into your cheeks.  The taste just resonates in your mouth, growing larger and louder by the millisecond.   It makes you want to gag and really makes you think that cutting out your tongue is a good idea.  It is that bad.  This is a taste that stays with you for hours.  Even makali can't cut that taste....

So, what are you waiting for?  Go out and find yourself a ajumma selling a big pot of beondegi  and have a taste.  Just make sure you have a big bottle of soju to wash it down with.

Oh, and just swallow, don't bite.

With love from Korea.