I eat brains
August 22, 2007 7:18 AM Subscribe
[Zombiefilter] What was the small brain-like item in my bowl of Korean soup?
I just arrived in Seoul for the first time. Famished, I headed to the local corner sashimi joint. Among the dozen or so dishes was a soup served in a hot earthenware pot containing what looked very much like a little brain, about four inches in diameter, complete with what appeared to be a little brain stem. Upon giving it a little nibble, I found that it had none of the squishy livery texture and taste of pig brains, my only culinary encephalonic reference point. It turned out to have a rather pleasant firm texture and slightly fishy flavor. I've certainly never seen anything like this attached to any fish, though. What was it?
I just arrived in Seoul for the first time. Famished, I headed to the local corner sashimi joint. Among the dozen or so dishes was a soup served in a hot earthenware pot containing what looked very much like a little brain, about four inches in diameter, complete with what appeared to be a little brain stem. Upon giving it a little nibble, I found that it had none of the squishy livery texture and taste of pig brains, my only culinary encephalonic reference point. It turned out to have a rather pleasant firm texture and slightly fishy flavor. I've certainly never seen anything like this attached to any fish, though. What was it?
It sounds like fish cake. There are lots of varieties and some look like mini brains.
posted by mphuie at 8:51 AM on August 22, 2007
posted by mphuie at 8:51 AM on August 22, 2007
4 inches in diameter in a huge fish brain, though... And I doubt it would have a firm texture.
posted by lain at 9:04 AM on August 22, 2007
posted by lain at 9:04 AM on August 22, 2007
Seconding fish cake. Did it look like anything on this plate?
posted by suedehead at 9:58 AM on August 22, 2007
posted by suedehead at 9:58 AM on August 22, 2007
It's probably not gefilte fish, but I always thought it looked like brains. Maybe some sort of Korean alternative to gefilte?
posted by tastybrains at 10:12 AM on August 22, 2007
posted by tastybrains at 10:12 AM on August 22, 2007
Best answer: Did it look like this or this? The first thing that comes to mind is shirako, or fish sperm (milt). It's a Japanese "delicacy" that's often used in hot pots.
Had it once in a soup and can't recall the taste, but the texture makes me shudder to this day.
posted by QueSeraSera at 10:15 AM on August 22, 2007
Had it once in a soup and can't recall the taste, but the texture makes me shudder to this day.
posted by QueSeraSera at 10:15 AM on August 22, 2007
Best answer: Cod sperm sac.
I'm not kidding. That's what you ate.
posted by mr_roboto at 10:43 AM on August 22, 2007
I'm not kidding. That's what you ate.
posted by mr_roboto at 10:43 AM on August 22, 2007
Cod sperm is delicious, if somewhat daunting...then again, I have had worse things in my mouth. Tamasei Sushi on 24th Street here in San Francisco has it available occasionally.
posted by Mmothra at 11:13 AM on August 22, 2007
posted by Mmothra at 11:13 AM on August 22, 2007
The texture of Shirako isnt firm by any means. Its more like pudding.
posted by mphuie at 11:16 AM on August 22, 2007
posted by mphuie at 11:16 AM on August 22, 2007
Response by poster: QueSeraSera and mr_roboto have nailed it. That second link in QueSeraSera's answer is identical to what I ate, which was surprisingly tasty. It did seem much too large to be a fish brain of any sort. I suppose it is really not any more strange to eat fish milt than fish roe.
posted by Etaoin Shrdlu at 12:59 PM on August 22, 2007
posted by Etaoin Shrdlu at 12:59 PM on August 22, 2007
Fish sperm.
You were eating Maeuntang.
I actually had al-tang last night (fish eg soup), which is chock full of fish sperm and fish ovaries (?). Great food.
posted by Joseph Gurl at 1:10 AM on August 23, 2007
You were eating Maeuntang.
I actually had al-tang last night (fish eg soup), which is chock full of fish sperm and fish ovaries (?). Great food.
posted by Joseph Gurl at 1:10 AM on August 23, 2007
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posted by Dee Xtrovert at 7:38 AM on August 22, 2007