The first time I smelled one of these, I genuinely thought something had died in the fridge. I’m all for trying new things, but some of these foods made me question every life choice that led me to that bite. It’s the kind of stink that clings to your clothes, your hair, and maybe even your soul. Still, people around the world swear by them and even consider them delicacies. I don’t know if that makes them brave or just completely nose-blind. Either way, would you dare take a bite?
Note: The content of this article does not reflect the Writer's personal beliefs.
Surströmming
Surströmming is a fermented Baltic herring known for its putrid smell, which has been compared to rotten eggs and ammonia. The strong and unpleasant smell is a result of the fermentation process, and it can be way too overwhelming, causing many people to steer clear of this Swedish delicacy. The smell is so bad that it is often advised to open cans of surströmming outdoors.
Natto
Natto is another fermented food. It is made from fermented soybeans and is known for its strong, pungent scent, which can be off-putting to most people. The distinctive smell, often described as funky or cheesy, comes from the fermentation process and is an acquired taste. Some people find the smell and texture unappealing, while others appreciate its unique flavor and nutritional benefits.
Hákarl
Hákarl is probably the worst of all. It is fermented shark meat from Iceland that carries a strong ammonia-like smell. The intense odor, similar to household cleaning products, can be off-putting to many people, making hákarl a challenging food to try for most. Despite the smell, hákarl is considered a delicacy by some and is celebrated as part of Iceland's culinary heritage.
Blue Cheese
Blue cheese has a strong and pungent smell, often described as sharp and tangy. The aroma of blue cheese can be overpowering and unpleasant for many people. Despite its distinctive smell, blue cheese is widely available in grocery stores. People's opinions on blue cheese vary; some enjoy its unique flavor, while others find the smell too off-putting.
Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut, another type of fermented cabbage dish, possesses a sour and tangy smell resulting from the fermentation process. The distinct aroma can be off-putting to many, while others appreciate its unique flavor profile. Often used as a condiment or ingredient in dishes like hot dogs and Reuben sandwiches, sauerkraut adds a tangy twist that complements certain culinary creations.
Stinky Tofu
Stinky tofu is a fermented tofu with a pungent aroma that can be quite overpowering. The strong and distinct smell results from the fermentation process, which creates a unique flavor profile. While some people appreciate the complex and savory taste of stinky tofu, others find the strong odor off-putting and choose to avoid it.
Balut
Ok, it is officially the worst! Balut is a fertilized duck embryo with a distinct and often off-putting smell. The partially developed duck inside the egg emits an odor that some people most people find challenging to handle. The smell and the visual appearance of a partially formed bird make it a hard food to eat.
Casu Marzu
Casu marzu is a Sardinian cheese infested with live insect larvae, known for its intense and repulsive aroma. The presence of the larvae in the cheese leads to fermentation and decomposition, creating a strong and unpleasant smell. The strong odor, along with the idea of consuming live insects, makes casu marzu a challenging food for many people to try.
Century Eggs
Century eggs, also known as preserved eggs, have a potent smell from the fermentation and aging process. The distinct aroma can be off-putting, although it is an inherent characteristic of these preserved eggs. The smell as well as the taste is often described as sulfuric or ammonia-like, it is certainly a unique culinary experience.
Iru
Iru is a type of seasoning made from dried locust beans. The food is popular in Nigeria but may not gain much popularity elsewhere since it smells extremely acrid. While it may smell pungent, it enhances the soups and stews' flavor. You just have to get past that strong odor before you can enjoy the taste!
Durian
Durian is probably the most famous smelly food. People often dislike durian because of its overpowering smell, which has been described as a mix of rotten onions and gym socks. The strong and distinctive odor can be off-putting and overwhelming for those who are not accustomed to it or do not appreciate its unique fragrance. The smell alone can discourage people from trying durian, even though its taste is not that bad.
Limburger Cheese
Limburger cheese is made with a bacteria called brevibacterium linens which is what gives the cheese its very distinctive smell. Many people describe the soft cheese as smelling like feet, grass, or mushrooms. It doesn't smell good, we know that for sure! But people seem to still be buying it, slicing it, and putting it on crackers. Humans are a mystery...
Locust Fruit
Locust fruit is also called stinky toe fruit and it gets that name for a good reason- it literally looks like a toe and it smells awful. While the pulp of the locust fruit may smell like dirty gym socks, it actually tastes sweet and sticky. Many people love to munch on the starchy pulp and have no problem with the smell. Maybe the taste is worth it? We aren't sure we want to try...
Vieux Boulonge
Vieux Boulonge is a creamy, thick cheese that may look tasty but smells absolutely horrible. In fact, olfactory experts in the UK declared it the stinkiest cheese in the world. What does this terrible cheese smell like? Rot and dung. Doesn't sound very appealing to us at all!
Hongeo
Be sure to hold your nose when hongeo is around because this fish seriously stinks. Hongeo is a delicacy in South Korea but is rarely known in other parts of the world. The fermented skatefish has a terrible scent because of the uric acid that builds up as the fish ages. If you are interested in eating raw fish that smells like ammonia, then hongeo may be for you!
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