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Beondegi

Beondegi
Beondegi in a cup, with toothpicks as utensils
CourseStreet food
Associated cuisineKorean cuisine
Main ingredientsSilkworm pupae
Similar dishesNhộng tằm
Korean name
Hangul
번데기
RRbeondegi
MRpŏndegi
IPApʌn.de.ɡi
  •  Wikimedia Commons logo Media: Beondegi

Beondegi (Korean: 번데기), literally "pupa", is a Korean insect-based street food made with silkworm pupae.[1]

The boiled or steamed snack food is served in paper cups with toothpick skewers.[2][3] Its aroma has been described as "nutty, shrimp-like, and a bit like canned corn" and the canned-type smells very much "like tire rubber", while the texture is firm and chewy.[4]

Beondegi is also served in soup form as beondegi-tang. This soup is flavoured with soy sauce, chili, garlic, green onions and red pepper powder. It is typically served as an anju (food consumed with alcohol) at pubs.[4]

Canned beondegi and beondegi-tang can also be found in supermarkets and convenience stores.[3][4]

History

Although sericulture in Korea dates back 4,000 years, consumption of silkworm pupae—a byproduct of extracting the raw silk fiber from the cocoon—had been an endemic practice in silk farming areas. Widespread consumption in South Korea began after the Korean War, during a period of economic reconstruction when the government heavily promoted raw silk production as an export industry with low technological or capital barriers to entry.

By the 1970s, the overflow of the byproduct provided a cheap source of protein before economic growth allowed broader access to meat supply.[4][5][6] Through the end of the 20th century, beondegi was frequently available from street food vendors, and especially near schools, which made it a popular snack children and students could afford.

The relative ubiquity of beondegi stalls in daily Korean life ended by the early 2000s due to several economic factors: street stalls faced crackdowns as part of governmental regulation efforts against the informal economy, and economic development in South Korea meant more snack options were available for children. Despite the decline, demand holds steady as canned beondegi made home consumption possible and is widely available in stores.

Nutritional content

Silkworm pupae are a nutrient-dense food, containing approximately 55–60% protein by dry weight, along with significant levels of unsaturated fatty acids, iron, zinc, and B vitamins. They provide a high-quality protein source comparable to beef or fish, making them a valuable dietary component in contexts of food insecurity.[7]

  • Beondegi sold by a street vendor
    Beondegi sold by a street vendor
  • Canned beondegi
    Canned beondegi

References

  1. ^ Pettid, Michael J. (2008). Korean Cuisine: An Illustrated History. London: Reaktion Books. p. 173. ISBN 978-1-86189-348-2.
  2. ^ Kraig, Bruce; Sen, Colleen Taylor, eds. (2013). Street Food around the World: An Encyclopedia of Food and Culture. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO. p. 320. ISBN 978-1-59884-954-7.
  3. ^ a b "Beondegi | Traditional Insect Dish From South Korea | TasteAtlas". www.tasteatlas.com. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  4. ^ a b c d "Salty Silkworm Pupae Are the One Street Food You Shouldn't Miss in South Korea". Matador Network. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  5. ^ 김미혜. 번데기. Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (in Korean). Academy of Korean Studies. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  6. ^ Kurovski, Jillian; Sexton, Nicole R.; Pannier, Angela K.; Hebets, Eileen A. (2026-02-02). "Arthropods as Models for Transdisciplinary Bio-Inspired Research and Discovery". Insects. 17 (2): 165. doi:10.3390/insects17020165. ISSN 2075-4450. PMC 12940437. PMID 41752567.
  7. ^ Olenici, Nicolai; Duduman, Mihai-Leonard; Popa, Ionel; Isaia, Gabriela; Paraschiv, Marius (2022-07-12). "Geographical Distribution of Three Forest Invasive Beetle Species in Romania". Insects. 13 (7): 621. doi:10.3390/insects13070621. ISSN 2075-4450. PMC 9316972. PMID 35886797.
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