Bingeo
Hangul:	빙어
Description:	Smelt
Category:	Fish, Banchan

Bingeo is a small, minnow-like fish (known as "smelt" in English) that is popular in Korean food. The fish are grey in color and have a yellow-ish brown back. They grow to a maximum size of 15cm. In different regions of Korea, you may hear different dialects refer to these fish and as a result, you may also expect to see menus, signs, and price tags to reflect the regional name.

• Gongeo (공어). As referred to in Daejeon, Jeollabuk-do, Jeollanam-do, and Chungcheongbuk-do.
• Meleuchi (메르치). As referred to in Suwon.
• Baengeo (뱅어). As referred to in Gwangju and Sokcho.
• Boriboongeo (보리붕어). As referred to in Boryeong.
• Pingeo (핑어). As referred to in Chungju.
• Okasaki (오까사끼). As referred to in Miryang.

Some of these different words are being used to describe the same fish, but some are distinguishing if it is the salt water or fresh water kind. For example, 메르치 is the salt water variety and 빙어 is the fresh water.