Wido Anchovy
Photo of drying anchovies at the village of Dae-ri, Wido [1982]This is a photo of drying anchovies at the village of Dae-ri, Wido, which was taken in 1982.
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LocationWido-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- CategoryFolk Food ∙ Local Specialties
- Korean위도 멸치
- Chinese蝟島-
- FieldPolitics, Economy and Society / Economy & Industry
- Contents TypeSpecialty
- Production siteWido-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- Definition
- The anchovies produced in the Wido region in Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- Origins and Development
- Wido anchovies caught off the waters of Wido, Buan-gun are naturally sun-dried, which earned the fish’s nickname “Natural Sea Breeze Anchovy.” The anchovies from Wido grown in the clean waters are medium-sized, ideal for stir-fried or braised side dishes. The medium-sized anchovies are also pickled with sea salt.
- Production Method and Characteristics
- Wido anchovies are caught from September to November using the new type of stow nets on an anchor designed for coastal waters. With the haul, only medium-sized fish of excellent taste, texture, and freshness are sorted out before being boiled in water and naturally dried. The anchovy produced this way can fully retain its nutritional value. Rich in taurine, anchovies are known to lower cholesterol levels, maintain a healthy blood pressure level, and strengthen the heart. Daily intake of anchovies can help deter arteriosclerosis and strokes, while being known to help develop intelligence in children as a rich source of highly unsaturated fatty acids like EPA and DHA. Anchovies are considered as a nutritionally well-balanced food containing niacin and nucleic acid, which has anti-cancerous benefits.
- Current Status including Relevant Industry
- The entire Sikdo-ri and Dae-ri region in Wido-myeon, Buan-gun are the main fishery spots for anchovies. The fisheries in Sikdo-ri have really garnered high revenue from anchovy fishing. Best known for its great taste and texture, Wido anchovies, which are caught live, flash-cooked in the boiling water, dried in the breezy sun before packaging, are distributed to major cities nationwide. Wido anchovies can be easily purchased online, and the price is set in the range of KRW 10,000 to 20,000 per kilo.
- See Also