An 82-year-old South Korean man met a tragic end after a still-wriggling piece of octopus became lodged in his throat.
The victim was indulging in the local delicacy known as san-nakji in the southern city of Gwangju when the incident unfolded on a fateful Monday morning. Despite the efforts of paramedics on the scene, the elderly man succumbed to a heart attack triggered by the choking episode, ultimately losing his life later the same day in a hospital.
San-nakji, a peculiar dish popular in the coastal regions of South Korea, is characterised by its immediate serving after the tentacles are sliced off, which means they are still convulsing on the plate when presented to diners.
Traditionally, it is dressed with a drizzle of sesame oil, adding to its distinctive appeal. However, the dish has been at the centre of controversy in recent years due to the significant health risks posed by the still-active tentacles.
Diners are typically advised to meticulously cut the wriggling appendages into smaller pieces and chew thoroughly to avoid the peril of choking. While fatalities are infrequent, they are not unheard of in connection with this notorious delicacy.
Between 2007 and 2012, Seoul’s Fire and Disaster Headquarters reported three fatalities in South Korea resulting from choking on the sea creature. In 2013, two more people succumbed to a similar fate, and in 2019, a septuagenarian also met a tragic end due to a choking incident involving san-nakji.
The potential lethality of san-nakji has earned it a notorious reputation as one of the world’s most dangerous foods.
Other culinary items with similar risks include bullfrogs and a certain type of pufferfish, known as Fugu. Improper preparation of Fugu can prove fatal, and it is subject to strict regulation in Japan and other parts of Asia. Chefs must undergo three years of rigorous training before being permitted to serve this dish.
In recent years, san-nakji has gained popularity among tourists seeking thrills, and social media platforms are flooded with daring travellers showcasing their live octopus consumption for social clout.
Notably, in 2012, this dish made headlines in a murder case when a South Korean man attributed his girlfriend’s death to a san-nakji accident. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, but the Supreme Court later released him a year later, citing insufficient evidence to support his claims.
