Korean Loach in soup (Mikuraji?)

[whiskeryfishesarecute]

So there's this Korean dish. Some kind of loach soup. A very long time ago when I was a kid I saw these in the Korean supermarket, begged my mom to get some so I could take them home and stick them in my fishtank. They lived for a couple weeks.

Now I am older and by fate, I ran into these little loaches in another local Korean market. They are called mikuraji, they were sold as "live loaches." Anybody know specifically what they are? What conditions they need? I am thinking of going back and grabbing a few to keep again.

Link with photo.

Somewhat graphic Andrew Zimmerman video.

[saint_dracula]

Mikkuraji is weather loach - I know, I lived there for 3-4 years. Incidentally, when I was living in Yongin (heard of it?) and in those marts (or ma-teus as they call it) I saw loads of 'em swarming in a bucket. Interestingly, I also saw live flatfish and squid in tanks, and sorely wanted to buy them as live pets.

But yeah, weather loaches are mikuraji, and the soup (which I've actually eaten!) is called Choo-Eo (the Sino-Korean word for loach) Tang. It has a quite thick, flaky texture.

I do sincerely Hope this has helped.

[Aozora]

Ugh... I don't know why I watched that. I whimpered at it...

I've kept weather loaches since I was about 13 years old. They're not just your average fish to me--I train them to eat out of my hand and come to be petted. It really doesn't take much training. They have as much personality as oscars.

Korea isn't the only place that eats weather loaches. In Japan, they have dojo udon or dojo nabe, which is again is a very similar loach soup--just different bases and/or noodles. I asked my professor, a native of Tokyo, if she had ever had them before, and she said that she had--moreover, that they were delicious. I think I must have paled, and I told her I kept them as pets. She was mortified, but she tried to console me with, "Well, I didn't eat them whole. Some people do, but I could never handle it."

I think I'll go pet my loaches now, and tell them how lucky they are...