Shin Se-kyung’s Ultimate Energy-Boosting Meal, Delicious Whether Boiled or Fried

Actress Shin Se-kyung introduced her own immunity-boosting meal.

In a recent video on Banila Co.'s YouTube channel, she revealed, "I really love chueotang (loach soup)." She continued, "I like chueotang, but chueo twigim (fried loach) is also really delicious."

◆ Chueotang: A Representative Immunity-Boosting Dish from Fall to Winter

The main ingredient in chueotang, loach, is in season from fall, with its flesh becoming plump and tasty.

Loach is a healthy food that contains a variety of beneficial nutrients. It is rich in high-quality protein and is known as a food that helps restore energy after the heat of summer. In particular, loach is rare among animal-based foods for its high vitamin A content.

Vitamin A helps strengthen the skin, boost resistance to bacteria, and prevent night blindness. It is also rich in vitamin D, which is good for bones. The fat found in loach is in the form of unsaturated fatty acids like DHA and EPA, which are effective in preventing atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Chueotang is a dish that allows you to consume all the beneficial nutrients of loach. Since the fish is cooked whole, including the bones and internal organs, it increases calcium intake. This dish is especially recommended for elderly people with low bone density. It’s also great to pair it with sancho (Japanese pepper), which helps neutralize the fishy smell of the loach. Additionally, loach can be grilled or battered and deep-fried for a different preparation method.

◆ Chueotang Isn’t Without Its Drawbacks

Loach contains a significant amount of fat, so it’s best not to consume it in excess. Additionally, the slippery mucus in loach is mainly composed of mucin. While mucin helps protect the gastrointestinal tract and aids in digestion, it is not easy to consume as food.

Foods containing mucin, such as snakes, snails, and frogs, are often considered unpleasant, and wild animals may carry bacteria that could lead to contamination, making them potentially harmful to health.

Moreover, the broth of chueotang is high in sodium, so caution is needed. People with high blood pressure or those who experience swelling should avoid consuming large amounts of the broth. A high sodium concentration can increase body fluid levels, potentially worsening symptoms.

When eating chueotang, it is important to adjust the amount of side dishes, such as kimchi, to prevent excessive sodium intake. Chueotang is low in calories, about 49 kcal per 100g, and provides a feeling of fullness.