Korea’s Fish Special: A Delicate Mix of Outhouse and Ammonia

[Potoooooooo]

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/15/world/asia/hongeo-south-koreas-smelliest-food.html?_r=1#

HEUKSAN ISLAND, South Korea — South Korea has a generous list of foods some find hard to swallow, among them boiled silkworm pupae and live baby octopuses, which have been known to attach their suction cups to the roofs of diners’ mouths in what appear to be desperate bids to escape.

But fermented skate from this southern island tops them all. By far South Korea’s smelliest food, the fish, called hongeo, is described by lovers and detractors alike as releasing odors reminiscent of an outhouse. Served most often as chewy pink slabs of sashimi, hongeo is prized by enthusiasts for the ammonia fumes it releases, sometimes so strong they cause people’s mouths to peel.

 

[doubtingt]

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/15/world/asia/hongeo-south-koreas-smelliest-food.html?_r=1#

HEUKSAN ISLAND, South Korea — South Korea has a generous list of foods some find hard to swallow, among them boiled silkworm pupae and live baby octopuses, which have been known to attach their suction cups to the roofs of diners’ mouths in what appear to be desperate bids to escape.

But fermented skate from this southern island tops them all. By far South Korea’s smelliest food, the fish, called hongeo, is described by lovers and detractors alike as releasing odors reminiscent of an outhouse. Served most often as chewy pink slabs of sashimi, hongeo is prized by enthusiasts for the ammonia fumes it releases, sometimes so strong they cause people’s mouths to peel.

Yeah, that sounds like what in the US would be improperly handled and not fresh skate fish (a species of "ray"). From what I understand, the skin must be peeled immediately after death (i.e., right on the boat) or it begins leeching a ammonia type chemical (urea) into the flesh. Mammals eliminate urea though our urine but skate and sharks through their skin. Apparently the smell gets stronger as the fish gets older, so its a sign of spoiled fish. Even good skate can still have a subtle ammonia smell much like some mold covered cheese. Great skate is like scallops.