Korea: 순대국 Sundaeguk

순대국, or Sundaeguk, is one of those foods that you won't really find on too many high-end Korean restaurant menus, and there's probably some good reasons behind this... Chief among reasons why sundae doesn't make it's way to the top of many luxury menus is the fact that it's essentially a food born of necessity rather than sheer, simple, deliciousness. This is not to say that it's not delicious- sundae is something you'll find on many "must eat Korean food" lists because it absolutely is a delicious food! That being said, there's just something about a food based around congealed pork's blood and rubbery sweet-potato starch noodles as a filler that can be a hard sell for those who view nose-to-tail cuisine, and unusual cuts, as less-than-desirable or palatable. A shame, for those foolish folks, because sundae, and the other necessity foods that arise from "off" cuts (like gobchang or horumon) are generally pretty fabulous. Sundaeguk, or blood sausage soup, is one of those super-delicious, filling, and affordable home-style meals that you can find in small neighborhood restaurants throughout Korea but are less likely to encounter in the states. It's a perfectly practical food- after enjoying a fresh meal of steaming hot, freshly cooked sundae dipped in the seasoned salt mix, you chuck any left overs into a stew to stretch them further for yet another meal. Sundae is a food born of practical need to use up and stretch rare or otherwise expensive ingredients, as is sundaeguk, and as such it doesn't get the limelight. In this way, it's kind of like the bookish girl who gets ignored for the flashier, more in your face types- there's a real treasure to be found there for those who know where to look. Some of the tastiest foods in life fit this profile, though, don't they? Macaroni and cheese is, for all intents and purposes, a largely shapeless blob of waxy orange and white goo, after all, and refried beans (a staple out here in Las Vegas) are literally shapeless smashed brownish grey paste that taste like heaven and look like something you squeezed out into the porcelain bowl after a particularly negligent dietary weekend. 

Suffice to say, sundaeguk is delicious and you should absolutely try it if you find an opportunity! I'd recommend going for a freshly made batch in a restaurant, but the packaged version (like the one I tried here) wasn't terrible. Don't judge a meal by its looks, man, that's all I'm trying to say.

Until next time, eat all the things!

🍜

XOXO,

NAU