Minimani Myeongdong is a Korean restaurant in Myeong-Dong that specializes in BBQ and raw octopus. Raw octopus is one of the must eat items whenever you visit South Korea, Seoul. The modest restaurant and the hostesses does not speak English. Minimani Myeongdong serves up one mean Sannakji: raw live octopus cut into small pieces and served immediately; seasoned lightly sesame oil and also spicy kimchi.
Clear Clam Soup: Clear broth with some green onions. Tastes like sea water.
Typical ban chan (Korean side dishes) are served: Kimchi, anchovies, side salad, seaweed, potatoes, etc.
Sannakji: The live octopus cut up in front of your eyes. The tentacles still skrimming on the dish like little worms. They are springy, chewy, and the suction cups when stick to your roof tops, tongues, gums… Just chew a few more times. There are two ways to eat sannakji: 1. light wasabi sauce for dipping 2. pan fried with spicy chili kimchi sauce. Both ways are excellent, but I may prefer the light wasabi sauce more because it doesn’t overcrowd the freshness of the octopus! It’s like eating takowasa pretty much.
I should put up the video we have on this experience at Minimani Myeongdong soon!
199-44, Euljiro2-ga, Jung-gu,, Seoul, South Korea
Omgosh, I went to Minimani as well when I was in studying abroad in Seoul! And I had Sannakji! 😀 Definitely post the youtube video up, I wanna see!
Here is my post on it: http://www.eatingwithkirby.com/2012/07/eating-live-octopus-with-foodology.html
that’s totally cool you studied there! I bet you got to try a lot more local flavours with friends taking you around! I was so lucky my gf taught english there and tour-guided us!! =) i miss korea food.