Are you ready to explore the wild side of eating? We’re going on a trip around the world to discover shockingly strange eats. From stinky to slimy, get ready for these 12 dishes that will make you say “No way!,” and maybe feel something between amazed and a little sick. Let’s get this crazy food list started!
12. Stinky Tofu (Taiwan)
The name already gives you a clue as to why this food is one of the most disgusting out there, according to the Disgusting Food Museum. Stinky tofu is a staple of Taiwanese street food, known for smelling like a rotten garbage, raw sewage, or stinky feet. The fermentation process gives the pungent odor, and while the tofu assaults the nose, it pleases the palate with an eggy, slightly salty-sour taste.
11. Durian (Southeast Asia)
Durian is a large, spiky fruit that’s native to Southeast Asia. Its prominent feature? Stinky smell. The fruit is so pungent it’s banned in Southeast Asian airports, specifically in Japan, Thailand, and Hong Kong. Despite this, durian is called “King of Fruits,” partly because of its distinct taste, offering a mix of caramel, nuts, and even onions.
10. Escamoles (Mexico)
Escamoles is a delicacy in Mexico that’s often called Mexican caviar. What could be off-putting in something with a nutty, buttery taste? Well, here’s the kicker: it’s basically made with ant eggs, the edible larvae and pupae of certain ant species, to be exact. Eating escamoles is quite a splurge, though, when fried with butter, chiles, and cilantro, and served with some tortillas and guac.
9. Fugu (Japan)
Fugu is a highly notorious food in Japanese cuisine, and it translates to pufferfish or blowfish in English. Because of the fatal toxins it contains, fugu must be prepared in a certain way for it to become edible and safe to eat. Japanese restaurants have strict regulations to ensure diners’ safety, and a person cannot prepare and serve fugu without proper qualifications.
8. Casu Marzu (Italy)
Casa Marzu is a Sardinian cheese that literally translates to “rotten cheese.” Many people find this food disgusting because it’s intentionally infested with live maggots from cheese flies. Just the sight and movement of live maggots within the cheese is enough to make you run for the hills!
7. Jellied Eels (England)
We love jellies, but a jelly made with eels? No, thank you! The jellied eels are a traditional street food item found in London, and are known for being soft and delicate. While people would call it unpleasant, it carries a mild unique taste without the “fishy” scent. The eels are chopped, boiled, and cooled, producing their own gelatin.
6. Balut (Philippines)
Balut is a controversial Philippine street food that will change the way you see eggs, literally. Crack one open and you’ll see the tiny remains of a hard-boiled duck fetus, including its beak and feathers. That means, when you try balut, you’re basically eating a partially formed duckling. In Philippines, however, eating balut is a sign of courage.
5. Century Eggs (China)
Another duck-related dish, century eggs are those dark, gelatinous egg whites with a sulfuric smell. When you first try these eggs, that rich, earthy taste would be unmistakable; its appeal is similar to that of truffles, aged cheese, and fine wine. Most people need to try century eggs a few times before they appreciate the unique taste.
4. Blood Pancakes (Sweden)
Would you try a pancake made with animal blood? That exact pancake is found in Sweden, but it’s also enjoyed throughout Norway and Finland. This dish only use a regular pancake batter to start, elevated with animal blood (usually, reindeer blood), resulting in a dark-brown pancake. It’s also enriched with onions and other spices, and topped with lingonberries (fresh or jam).
3. Frog Juice (Peru)
This frothy green goo is a popular drink in Peru, made with carrots, maca root, and honey. While some believe it can help with bronchitis, anemia, and other health issues, the way it’s prepared is concerning. A live frog is killed by hitting it on a counter and then skinned before blended with other ingredients. It’s also made with Titicaca water frog, classified as critically endangered species.
2. Fried Bamboo Worms (Thailand)
The weirdest party snack is here: fried bamboo worms, also known as rod duan in Thailand. They’ve been described to have a texture and taste that are similar to that of a potato chip. What’s even more mind-blowing is rod duan is a pretty healthy food option; the bamboo worms are high in protein, low in fat, and packed with vitamins.
1. Cobra Heart (Vietnam)
The first spot has been saved for the most exotic food experience. In Vietnam, it’s possible for you to order a cobra blood wine in a restaurant. The blood is poured into a shot glass of wine rice and then topped with the cobra’s still beating heart. Famous chef Gordon Ramsay once tried eating a cobra heart.