More terrifying than live octopus? The most feared Korean food among foreign visitors is "this"

▲Korean kanjang (fermented crab sauce). (Photo / from Wikimedia Commons)

Online group / Compiled report

Traditional Taiwanese foods such as stinky tofu and century eggs are often dishes that foreign travelers tend to avoid when visiting Taiwan. And in the minds of foreign visitors, "kanjang" (fermented crab sauce), made by marinating crabs in sauces, ranks as one of the most feared traditional Korean foods.

According to a report by the Central News Agency, Korea’s Cosmojin Travel Agency, which specializes in serving foreign tourists, conducted a survey of 782 foreign visitors who traveled to Korea between April and May this year. Among the results, kanjang topped the list of the most feared traditional foods at 65%; other dishes on the list included chogochujang (19%), live octopus (10%), acorn jelly (4%), and silkworm pupae (2%).

Kanjang is a dish made by marinating raw crabs in sauces such as soy sauce without any cooking process, but with the addition of seasonings like chili peppers, garlic, and green onions, giving it a strong fishy and salty flavor. It is one of Korea’s classic delicacies. Despite being ranked as one of the most feared Korean foods, many Taiwanese travelers still have a special fondness for Korean-style kanjang, believing it to be extremely delicious when eaten with rice.