[Food] Mulhoe (물회, Cold Raw Fish Soup)

 [Food]

[Food] Mulhoe (물회, Cold Raw Fish Soup)

Many world foods such as Kebob and Dutch Coffee originated on sea ships with traders and fishermen who lacked a selection of many choices of nutritious meals on long-distance travel across the vast ocean.

Meanwhile, in Korea, fishermen who had to spend more than a half a day in a small ship (or chug boat) without a 'kitchen' couldn't eat well. They had to work from very early morning till the afternoon but didn't have much time to relax at lunchtime. So they made a very quick meal that can be easily cooked on any ship.

Grab any bowl and slice freshly caught fish and shells into a fillet, and throw them into a bowl. Then pour cold water, chopped vegetables, gochujang (Korean red chili paste) and some ice cubes. Yes, raw fish is already exotic and this mulhoe (물회, cold raw fish soup) is even more exotic :) You can find mulhoe in any seafood restaurant in the eastern and southern coasts of South Korea because any fish can be used for mulhoe. Flounder, rock fish, snapper, sole, squid, or sea cucumber; it really doesn't matter as long as it's not stale :)

These days, some restaurants even use expensive seafoods such as abalone, sea urchin roe, coral fish to upgrade to a unique marine dish and to satisfy gourmets.

If you consider yourself a big fan of seafood and even raw fish, how about trying mulhoe? It might be challenging but it may just suit your palate :)

Bon Appétit!