Sundae (Korean Blood Sausage) : Dare to Taste Korea: Your Guide to Properly Enjoying Sundae (Korean Blood Sausage)

Sundae is a unique and widely popular Korean street food and traditional dish. It is a type of blood sausage or black pudding, typically made by steaming or boiling various ingredients stuffed into a casing, often a pig's intestine. The most common varieties are filled with a mixture of pig's blood, glutinous rice, cellophane noodles (dangmyeon), and sometimes vegetables or perilla leaves. It has a distinct savory, slightly earthy flavor and a chewy, firm texture, often served sliced with salt, seasoned gochujang, or a dipping sauce. It's also a key ingredient in other dishes like Sundaeguk (blood sausage soup).


Key Information

  • Main Ingredients: Pig's blood, glutinous rice, cellophane noodles (dangmyeon), pig's intestine (casing), various seasonings (salt, pepper, sometimes soy sauce, ginger, garlic). Other fillings can include vegetables (cabbage, perilla leaves), or sometimes offal.

  • Side Dishes: Most commonly served with salt and pepper mixed with chili powder, or a spicy dipping sauce (gochujang-based). It often comes with a side of kimchi or cubed radish kimchi (kkakdugi). If served as part of a meal, it might include a light broth.

  • Pairing Beverages: Soju (a classic pairing, especially when served hot), beer, or hot broth (often provided by the vendor).


Enjoyment Tips

  • Enjoy warm or hot for the best texture and flavor.

  • Dip the sliced pieces into the accompanying salt mixture or spicy sauce for enhanced taste.

  • Try it with the provided kimchi for a refreshing contrast.

  • For the adventurous, explore different regional varieties (e.g., thicker, more offal-heavy Sundae from certain regions).

  • It's a common drinking snack (anju) when paired with soju.

  • Sundae only !! Before order



Related Foods & Dining

  • Derivatives: Sundaeguk, a hearty and popular soup made with Sundae and various pork offal in a rich broth; Sundae-bokkeum, a spicy stir-fry with Sundae and vegetables; Tteokbokki (often served with Sundae as an addition).

  • Similar Foods: Black pudding (UK/Ireland), Morcilla (Spain), Blutwurst (Germany), Boudin Noir (France), various blood sausages found in different culinary traditions globally.

  • Restaurant Type: Street food stalls, specialized Sundae restaurants (Sundaeguk-jip), snack bars (bunsik-jip), traditional markets.

  • Best Time to Eat: Snack, light meal, lunch, dinner, late-night meal, 술자리 (drinking session).


Price & Preferences

  • Price per person: $5-$15 (for a plate of Sundae or a bowl of Sundaeguk)

  • Foreigner Preference: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7/10) - Generally well-received by those open to trying new foods, though the concept of blood sausage can be unfamiliar for some.

  • Spiciness: ★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (3/10) - Sundae itself is not spicy, but the dipping sauces or accompanying dishes (like Tteokbokki or Sundae-bokkeum) can be spicy.

  • Saltiness: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7/10) - Savory from the ingredients and often seasoned with salt.

  • Sweetness: ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (1/10) - Not a sweet dish.


Top 5 Locations in Seoul (Foreigner Preference for Sundae)

(Specialized Sundae restaurants are common, especially in areas known for local eats.)

  1. Gwangjang Market (Food Stalls): 88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno 4(sa)-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Many vendors sell fresh Sundae).

  2. Namdaemun Market (Food Stalls): 21 Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (Another major market with various street food options including Sundae).

  3. Sillim-dong Sundae Town (Sundaeguk Restaurants): Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul (A famous area with many specialized Sundae restaurants, particularly known for Sundae-bokkeum).

    • Example Restaurant: Wonjo Minmin Sundae (multiple shops in the area).

  4. Myeongdong Street (Street Food Stalls): Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (You can sometimes find vendors selling Sundae alongside other popular street foods).

  5. Local "Bunsik-jip" (Snack Bars) in residential areas: (No specific address, but small, local snack bars throughout Seoul frequently offer Sundae as part of their menu, often served with Tteokbokki).

 

Comments