Seaweed? Grapes? How to Eat Sea Grapes, a Popular YouTube Mukbang Menu, and What They Taste Like!

Sea grapes have rapidly emerged as a popular menu item in YouTube mukbang videos. Also known as umibudo, sea grapes resemble clusters of frog eggs. Their popping sound and texture make them fun to eat. Let’s explore the taste of this seaweed, named sea grapes because it lives in the ocean, along with how to eat it and its benefits.

What Are Sea Grapes?

Sea grapes, or umibudo, are one of Okinawa’s five major seaweeds. They are a type of Caulerpa seaweed and earned the nickname “sea grapes” because they look like grapes growing in the ocean. They are cultivated in places including the Philippines, Malaysia and Okinawa, where they are considered a signature local specialty.

What Do Sea Grapes Taste Like, and How Are They Eaten?

The unfamiliar taste of sea grapes may seem somewhat surprising at first. Their texture resembles fish roe, and they become sticky like the sporophylls of wakame when chewed, while tasting both nutty and salty. Their distinctive appeal also comes from the scent of the sea released whenever the tiny beads burst. Sea grapes are too salty to eat as they are, so they should be rinsed thoroughly in water. The more thoroughly they are rinsed, the plumper the beads become, improving their texture. When eaten raw, umibudo is commonly dipped in Japanese-style soy sauce, chili sauce or chojang, a spicy vinegared red pepper sauce. It may also be seasoned and mixed, or added to Vietnamese spring rolls and salads. It is also good served with bibimbap, raw fish rice bowls or sushi.

[FamTimes=Reporter Yoon Joo-hyun]