The popularity of some foods from around the world is quite understandable, like maple syrup in Canada or hummus in the Middle East. However, there are also foods from around the world that seem weird and somewhat disgusting to those who were not raised with them. Let's have a look at what a menu for some of the world's weirdest foods might look like. Be forewarned, some of these items are not for the squeamish or faint of heart...
"Giddy Up"
We'll start our journey into culinary weirdness with a Japanese delicacy that's named after the cherry blossoms that famously bloom every spring in Japan. When most people think of the foods that Japan is known for, sushi or sashimi usually come to mind. As delicious as it might look, sakura niku is not quite what people have in mind when they order sashimi.
Don't be fooled, that's not fish and, definitely, isn't for everyone. Sakura niku is actually marbled horse meat that is, usually, served raw with ginger and soy sauce.
"Slimy, Yet Satisfying"
Most of the best sources of protein that can be found in nature remain uneaten because most people find it difficult to eat insects or worms. Witchetty grubs are so unappealing to most people that "Survivor" has used them as one of the food items in the disgusting food challenge from the show's second season.
Witchetty grubs call the Australian outback home and can be found feeding on the roots of the witchetty bush up in the Northern Territory. Witchetty grubs have been eaten by aboriginal Australians, and used for their protein, for thousands of years.
"Umm, I Don't Think Mine's Ready..."
It might sound weird to westerners when they are told that a common dish in many Southeast Asian countries is a bird fetus (usually duck) that hasn't quite come to term. It's not quite as simple as that, of course. Although balut is full of protein there's one very important thing to know about it before diving in...
Balut is served right from the shell, which means those daring enough to give this delicacy a gander should be ready for a little bit of beak and a few feathers.
"It's Not Polite To Stare"
Many of the foods on this list aren't the easiest to look at, but, at least, they don't look back at us while we're considering eating them. The same can't be said for this next dish. Tuna eyeballs are commonly found in Japanese pubs as part of their pub fare menus. Customers could order the eyes one at a time, but they're usually served by the pair as a side dish.
When asked what tuna eyeballs taste like, most people who have tried them say that they are similar to squid or hard-boiled eggs...but with a bit of a pop.
"At Least These Legs Aren't Still Hopping"
France is one of the countries that is world-renowned for having excellent cuisine. From French wines to French cheeses, that are eaten with French bread, there are no corners of the culinary world that French chefs have not explored. Introducing, the chicken wing of the amphibian world...
Yup, frogs' legs. As long as one could get Kermit T. Frog out of their mind long enough to enjoy their meal, frogs' legs are actually supposed to be quite delicious.
"Is It On Me? I Feel Like It's on Me"
Our next menu item is not for the faint of heart. When they're alive they give people the heebie-geebies. In fact, some people are downright terrified of them. In Cambodia, they eat them as snacks. They're usually served on sticks, but can also be purchased in a paper bag for snacking. Most people start with their legs, I'd be more inclined not to start at all.
Yup, we're talking about fried spiders. They, apparently, taste like chicken but have a crunchy outside, and a soft, sometimes, gooey inside. Anyone up for a little eight-legged snack?
"Might Want To Put The Spoon Down"
So much has changed in the world in almost 3,000 years, but one thing remains the same, people are still eating black pudding. The first written reference to the dish can be traced back about 2,800 years ago to Homer's epic poem, "The Odyssey". By the way, black pudding is a type of blood sausage, not a pudding made from dark chocolate.
One empire after another has come and gone, but one thing has remained the same. People across Europe are still making sausages out of the blood and fat of pigs or cows mixed with oatmeal and barley.
"Delicious Is In The Eye Of The Beholder"
Foods that some people would consider to be normal to eat, others could only shake their heads at. Even if the food doesn't taste bad, just the thought of eating some things is enough to make certain people lose their appetites. As weird as eating witchetty grubs might seem to some people, the thought of eating kangaroo is even worse.
People who are not from Australia think that kangaroos are too cute to eat but ask an Aussie and they'll admit that 'roos are nothing more than pests that destroy the local crops. It's a good thing kangaroo meat is lean, gamey and full of protein.
"Quit Squirming"
Much like stinkbugs, mopane worms are a great source of protein and an important part of people's diets across some parts of southern Africa. The worm itself is actually a large caterpillar that feeds on the leaves of mopane trees (which is where it gets its name). They are usually recognized by their distinct patterns and, when allowed to mature into adults, they transform into a species of emperor moth.
In order to consume them, mopane worms are usually dried into becoming a crispy snack or served in a tomato/chili sauce to help mask their flavor. Locals eat everything but the worms' heads, so it might be a good idea to follow their lead.
"Caviar Of The East"
When most people hear that people are eating bird's nest soup a variety of sticks and twigs placed in a bowl of broth is probably what they'd imagine. Believe it or not, the ingredients in bird's nest soup are a lot weirder than that. It's made from the nest of the swiftlet bird which consists of the bird's hardened saliva. When placed into the broth the nest dissolves into the delicacy we see below...
Also known as "caviar of the East", bird's nest soup is one of the most expensive foods in the world and terribly rare to find. Opportunities to try this dish can truly come just once in a lifetime.
"They Just Look So Surprised"
Similar to Australians with kangaroos or Cambodians with spiders, the Peruvians also have an animal that is quite plentiful in their country. Guinea pigs. These guinea pigs have, over the course of a few centuries, become not just the national food of Peru but also a common snack to enjoy when out with friends.
After being skewered and barbequed, the guinea pigs are supposed to taste like chicken. So, grab some Frank's hot sauce and a jug of beer, and get ready to watch some football (soccer).
"Sometimes It's Best Not To Know What Something Is"
If eating the raw reproductive organs of a fish is something that sounds enjoyable, then shirako is the food to try. Shirako is served almost everywhere in Japan and, although it's an acquired taste, it is considered by many locals to be quite the treat.
Anyone who has ever wondered if the sperm sac of a male codfish is edible, the answer is "yes" and it's served as a dish in Japan called shirako. Shirako, literally translates to "white children"...sounds delightful, doesn't it?
"Silky Smooth"
Korea is known for having, at least, a few uniquely delicious culinary items. One that comes to mind right away is kimchi, but there's nothing really too weird about spicey pickled cabbage. That brings us to one of the weirder foods that can be found in Korea, beondegi. After a bit of seasoning, they taste just like wood...yum.
Someone who orders beondegi from a street vendor in Korea should know beforehand that they will be receiving a cup of silkworms. They usually come steamed, but, on occasion, may be boiled or fried instead.
"That Ain't No Pudding"
Haggis is a combination of a sheep's liver, lungs, and heart, that have been minced and stuffed back into the animal's stomach (all post-mortem, of course) along with some spices, onion, and sometimes oatmeal. The stuffed sheep's stomach is then baked until ready. Haggis is one of those dishes that diners either love or hate. Most people turn back when they find out what it's made of, and don't even give it a try.
For anyone who can stomach knowing what it's made of, haggis is meant to be quite tasty. If giving it a go don't forget to throw in a side of "tatties" and three-fingers of scotch to make it a real meal.
"Where's The Joy In Hunting Something That Is Famous For How Slow It Moves?"
The thought of eating snails is quite repulsive to some people. Other people, however, would say that the first people had an unsophisticated taste. I'm not sure when a sophisticated palate meant eating weird things, but on occasion, it's quite true.
When baked in a garlic sauce and with a bit of cheese melted over top, escargot makes for an excellent appetizer.
"Straight Outta The Grinder"
Unlike most of the other items on this list steak tartare is not just considered a delicacy but also qualifies as cuisine that's fit for fine dining. It doesn't take long to prepare, nor does it use very many ingredients, but restaurants charge an arm and a leg for it because beef fans are willing to pay up.
Consisting mainly of raw ground beef, diced onions, and Worcestershire sauce, the steak tartare isn't complete until it's been topped with a raw egg yolk.
"Not Eggxactly What I Had In Mind For Breakfast"
For starters, the century egg isn't 100-years-old, but it does smell as though it is. The century egg is a Chinese delicacy and is known as one of the worst-smelling foods in the world. Even though it is meant to taste quite similar to a regular hard-boiled egg, it definitely doesn't look like one, but that might be because these eggs spend a few months covered in a mixture of clay, ash, salt, and quicklime.
After waiting for 4-5 months, the century egg is ready to be eaten, but it doesn't look much like an egg anymore. The yolk has gone a dark greenish color, and the egg white has rotted to a nice dark brown jelly. Bon apetite!
"Why'd It Have To be Snakes?"
The Sonoran desert, in the Southwestern United States, is not what one would call full of life. Well, at least, not to the naked eye. Poisonous rattlesnakes can be found hiding in the nooks and crannies of the desert. As one of the most plentiful sources of meat in the region, those that don't find a good enough nook to hide in just might end up as dinner.
Snake can be eaten in a variety of different ways and can be found not only at family barbeques but at select restaurants across the south as well.
"Mexican Caviar"
A trip to Mexico is not complete without trying a few of the nation's delicacies. Escamoles, or "Mexican Caviar", has been around since the time of the Aztecs, and is still served today in restaurants all across Mexico. They look like lentils, have the texture of cottage cheese, have a buttery taste with a hint of nuttiness, and are, usually, served with guacamole and tortilla chips.
Before digging into this Mexican delicacy, foodies might be interested to know that they are about to get a mouthful of edible ant larvae. Thus the name, "Mexican Caviar".
"Hung Out To Dry"
When we think of the different foods from around the globe that have influenced the culinary world, Icelandic food doesn't usually come to mind. That's not to say that there aren't any Icelandic foods. Hakarl, for instance, is Iceland's national food, it's just that fermented shark doesn't sound all that appealing.
Hakarl is usually made out of fermented Greenland shark that has spent about 5 months hanging out to dry. In case anyone's curious, it's a fishy fish.
"Cowabunga"
The next item on our list is not for anyone who was (or is) a fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Most commonly found in China and Southeast Asia, but also served in various places across the Southern United States, turtle soup is exactly what it sounds like, soup that is made out of turtle meat.
In China, soft-shelled turtles are commonly used for this turtle-powered delicacy. In the United States, however, Americans most frequently chow down on snapping turtles.
"It's More Than A Little Bit Chewy"
The native Inuit and Chukchi peoples of northern North America have been hunting and eating whales for centuries. One of the dishes that these communities are known for making out of the whale is muktuk. Although it might not sound too appealing to foreigners, muktuk is high in fat and high in flavor as well.
Muktuk is made from the frozen blubber (fat) and skin of a whale, and although some people prefer their blubber pickled, most of the time it's served raw.
"What A Load Of Croc"
In some places, the locals don't have much choice other than to eat some of the things that a great deal of us would consider to be weird. The crocodile is one animal that most of us look at as a predator, not as prey, but that's not the case in Australia's Northern Territory. The aboriginals have been eating crocodiles for thousands of years. There are even some restaurants in the NT that have saltwater croc on their menus.
Crocodiles can be eaten as steaks or sliced up and put on skewers for kebabs. If neither of those options appeals to one's tastebuds, try a nice croc burger or, perhaps, some deep-fried croc fritters.
"Why Is The Cheese Moving?"
Italy is responsible for some of the tastiest carbs this world has to offer, however, not all Italian delicacies have captured the hearts of the world. Casu martzu is one of these items. Originating in the Sardinia region of Italy, the cheese is made from the milk of the Sardinian Sheep. When it's finally ready to be eaten, the cheese has a hard exterior but a soft creamy interior. Sounds good, right?
Oh, by the way, the cheese's texture is the result of thousands of maggots living within the cheese. Yes, they're still there when the cheese is being eaten, and yes, it's intentional. Buyer beware, this meal might just squirm way.
"Don't Forgot The Epipen"
If one were to find themselves traveling through Japan, they would find an outrageous number of snacks and meals that they would, probably, not be able to find anywhere else. One snack that falls into this category is wasp crackers. Instead of the typical chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin biscuits, these are actually made with wasps.
Not since peanut butter cookies has there been a biscuit that has had the potential to send an unsuspecting customer into anaphylactic shock.
"That's A Lot To Stomach"
Anyone who doesn't believe in wasting even a single part of an animal that has been slaughtered for food would be rather pleased with the individuals who eat tripe. Usually made from cow (or pig), the dish is made from the stomach chamber's muscle wall. Depending on which part of the lining it is taken from, tripe can come in different shapes. The most common among them is honeycomb or pocket tripe.
Tripe can be found on the dinner tables in many different countries around the world including Vietnam, where it is usually one of the main in the country's national dish, pho.
"Bottoms Up"
"Eating the tequila worm" has become a tradition amongst frats and friends from all over the world, but what is a "tequila worm"? It's actually not called a "tequila worm" at all. It's called an agave worm and is named after the agave plant on which it lives. The worms are placed into bottles of tequila in order to enhance the spirit's flavor.
After accidentally finding that the larvae of a moth that had gotten into a bottle of his liquor improved the taste of the drink, a mezcal maker began putting a worm into every bottle of tequila he made.
"That's Gotta Sting"
When most people see a scorpion their first reaction is to jump back and get out of its way, however, the creepy crawlies, that most westerners are frightened of and/or disgusted by, is considered to be an excellent source of protein by hundreds of millions of people across Africa and Asia.
Skewered scorpions that have been fried and seasoned with garlic salt are often eaten by locals and visitors in Thailand. If giving these crispy snacks a go, don't forget to tear off the stinger first.
"Buggin' Out"
Stinkbugs are a common snack in the southern part of the African continent. They contain a great deal of protein as well as other essential vitamins, which is why generations of people have included them as part of their diets. It doesn't hurt that there is also a, seemingly, endless supply of them.
Don't forget to pick up a bag of panfried stinkbugs to snack on when traveling through South Africa, Malawi, or Zimbabwe. And don't worry, they're not as stinky as their name entails...
"They Could Survive The Apocalypse. You Sure It's Dead?"
Out of all the things that people eat around the world there are few that weird people out more so than cockroaches. They are served as snacks by street food vendors across Southeast Asia, but most tourists who have tried them have, most likely, done so in Thailand on Bangkok's famous Khoa San Road.
Crunchy on the outside and a little slimy on the inside, cockroaches are definitely an acquired taste. If trying them is on the bucket list, try and find a vendor who uses a lot of garlic butter and have a bucket on standby.
"Russian Roulette Of The Culinary World"
There are a few foods that, if not prepared properly, can leave diners feeling rather ill. Getting food poisoning and being sick for a few days doesn't seem all that bad after finding out what could happen if the person preparing one's fugu doesn't know what they're doing. After all, if the wrong part of the fugu is served, it could lead to death.
That's right, death. There was even an episode of "The Simpsons" about this very dish and the severity of what could go wrong. Fugu (blowfish) is a very delicate creature that is meant to be quite succulent, but one must ask themselves if it's worth the risk.
"A Gold Star For The Effort"
One of the benefits of living by the sea is that there is usually a great variety of seafood to choose from when it comes to deciding what to eat for dinner. Considering how many people live in China, it makes sense as to why the locals have needed to look to sea creatures, that are not so common in the western world, as viable food sources. One sea creature that many people don't even realize is edible, is the starfish.
Starfish is not considered to be the tastiest creature to come out of the sea, but there are a lot of them and they don't taste much different from sea urchins.
"We're Gonna Need A Bigger Boat"
As we continue through our menu of weird foods, this next one isn't just weird, it's also one of the most controversial. The origins of shark fin soup can be traced back to China's Ming dynasty, but it wasn't until the 19th century that the soup began to gain the popularity that it has today. The fin itself doesn't have much flavor but is used because of the unique texture it brings to the party, while the taste of the dish comes from the spices.
A part of the controversy surrounds the consumption of shark fin soup is the fact that 100,000,000 sharks are killed each year. That can't be good for the ocean's ecosystem.
"Hop On Over For A Quick Snack"
As the world's resources have begun to dwindle people have had to start looking for a more sustainable source of protein. In order to do so, nutritionists have been exploring the diets of those who live in countries that don't have the livestock that most western countries have. In those countries, it is not uncommon for the locals to dine on insects. And why not? When prepared with complementary ingredients anything has the potential to be tasty.
Fried grasshoppers and crickets can be found at street food vendors right across Southeast Asia. These hopping insects are protein-rich and make for a great snack when served with a little bit of salt and garlic.
"Gotten Ourselves Into Quite A Pickle"
People have been pickling things for centuries in order to help their food last for as long as possible. Although pickling works as a great way to preserve food, there is the added benefit that pickled food tastes great as well. Pickled cucumbers are great for sandwiches and snacks. Pickled onions and herring go great with brunch, and pickled eggs, well, pickled eggs are...weird.
Pickled eggs have been popular in pubs across America for quite some time. It just seems a little bit odd that there would be a demand for a pickled egg to snack on while having a pint of beer.