Po (food)

Korean dried food made from fish or meat

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Po (포 ) is a traditional Korean food that consists of dried slices of fish or meat. It is a popular snack and is often enjoyed with alcoholic beverages such as soju or makgeolli. Po is known for its chewy texture and savory flavor, which is enhanced through various seasoning and drying processes.

Types of Po

Po can be made from a variety of ingredients, with the most common being fish and meat. Each type of po has its own unique preparation method and flavor profile.

Fish Po

Bugeo-po, a type of fish po made from dried pollock

Fish po is typically made from fish such as pollock, cod, or squid. The fish is cleaned, filleted, and then seasoned before being dried. The drying process can vary, with some types of fish po being air-dried, while others are dried using heat.

• Bugeo-po (북어포

) is a popular type of fish po made from dried pollock. It is often shredded and used as a topping for various dishes or eaten as a snack.

• Ojingeo-po (오징어포

) is made from dried squid and is known for its chewy texture and slightly sweet flavor.

Meat Po

Hanu-yukpo, a type of meat po made from beef

Meat po is made from thinly sliced meat, usually beef or pork. The meat is marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, and spices before being dried.

• Yukpo (육포

) is a type of meat po made from beef. It is often seasoned with soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil, giving it a rich and savory flavor.

• Dwaeji-po (돼지포

) is made from pork and is less common than yukpo but equally delicious.

Preparation

The preparation of po involves several steps, including cleaning, seasoning, and drying. The drying process is crucial as it affects the texture and flavor of the final product.

Cleaning and Slicing

For fish po, the fish is first cleaned and filleted. The bones and skin are removed, and the flesh is sliced into thin pieces. For meat po, the meat is trimmed of fat and sliced thinly against the grain.

Seasoning

The slices are then marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and other spices. This step is important for infusing the po with flavor.

Drying

The seasoned slices are laid out on racks or hung to dry. The drying process can take several days and may involve air drying or using a dehydrator. The goal is to remove moisture while preserving the flavor and texture.

Consumption

Po is often enjoyed as a snack or side dish. It is commonly served with alcoholic beverages and is a popular choice for anju, which are foods consumed with alcohol in Korea. Po can also be used as an ingredient in various dishes, adding a savory and chewy element.

Related pages

• Korean cuisine
• Anju (food)
• Soju
• Makgeolli