Every country has a few dishes that might surprise outsiders. What looks strange to one person might be completely normal, or even a delicacy, in another part of the world. I’ve tasted some unusual things on my travels, and each one came with its own story and cultural pride. Some were delicious, others were... memorable. If you're curious about what people are eating around the world, you're in for something truly unexpected.
Note: The content of this article does not reflect the Writer’s personal beliefs.
Spain Callos Cow Stomach
Are you a fan of Spanish cuisine? Foods like Basque cheesecake? How about cow stomach? This interesting dish consists of tripe (cow stomach) cooked with various ingredients such as chorizo, pork, and vegetables. Have you ever eaten an animal´s stomach before?
Italy Casu Marzu Maggot-infested Cheese
While Italy is known for its top-class food including delicious Italian desserts, it also made it to the most disgusting food list. Casu marzu is a traditional Sardinian cheese known for its unique production process involving live insect larvae.
The larvae digest the cheese, leading to fermentation and a soft, liquid-like texture. Seriously, just stick to the Ricotta pie when in Sicily!
Sweden Surströmming fermented herring
Sweden is famous for its beautiful nature, IKEA, and... fermented herring. Surströmming is a traditional Swedish delicacy known for its unbearable smell and strong flavor. Would you dare to try it?
Sweden actually has some nice food and desserts like this saffron bun, sort of the Scandinavian cousin of cinnamon rolls.
Turkey Kokorec Lamb or Goat Intestines
You might think of kebab and baklava when you hear Turkey. However, one unusual food that I came across is "kokoreç." It is made from lamb or goat intestines that are seasoned, skewered, and grilled. It obviously has a strong, unique flavor and texture, with a chewy and slightly crispy exterior.
Japan Tuna Eyeballs
Japan, home to sushi, ramen, Japanese cotton cheesecake, and other world-famous matcha desserts, but also tuna eyeballs?! These large, gelatinous eyeballs are often boiled or grilled, offering a unique texture and flavor that some find enjoyable, while others find them horrific.
Mexico Escamoles Insects caviar
Forget your boring fish taco! How about Escamoles?! Escamoles, also known as "insect caviar," are the edible larvae of ants harvested from the roots of agave or maguey plants in Mexico.
Some like them for their delicate texture and nutty flavor. They are often prepared in dishes like omelets or tacos. Have you tried them before? Tell me if they were good!
United Kingdom Blood Pudding
While the Sunday roast dinner and Victoria sponge cake are definitely worth a try, blood pudding is not for everyone.
Blood pudding, also known as black pudding or blood sausage, is a type of sausage made from cooked animal blood, usually mixed with a filler such as oatmeal, barley, or breadcrumbs.
Had black pudding? How do you like the taste?
United States Candy Corn
Candy corn, made of sugar, corn syrup, and artificial coloring, is one of the worst-tasting candies in the US.
Regarding American sweets, let's stick to the ones Americans do the best; check out our cookies and brownies recipes instead!
France Snails
While French cuisine is renowned worldwide, some might find dishes like Escargots (snails) to be outside their comfort zone. The snails are typically cooked in a garlic and herb butter sauce and served in their shells, which are then pierced with a special fork to extract the tender snail meat.
If you ask me, I will stick to French pastries instead.
Eskimo Ice Cream
When you think of ice cream, you may think of a delicious treat like a raspberry ruby ice cream bar. Eskimo ice cream is nothing like that.
Eskimo ice cream is made from seals, reindeer, walrus tallow, and salmon eggs. Luckily, the dessert is flavored with berries, so it has some redeeming qualities.
You will have to travel to Alaska to get this unappetizing ice cream!
Laos White Ant Soup
Soup is supposed to be warm and comforting, but this white ant soup may leave you feeling queasy rather than content. Made with a mix of ant eggs and partial embryos from the white ant. Gaen Kai Mot Daeng has a sharp flavor and tastes a little sour (especially when a few baby ants are mixed in the bowl).
While some say the ants have the texture of rice and a mild taste, it is a little too intense for our taste!
Iceland Hakarl
Hakarl is an Icelandic specialty. It is essentially fully rotted shark meat. Specific types of sharks are caught, then buried in a shallow pit and pressed with stones. The carcass is left to rot before being resurrected and eaten.
It would be hard enough to eat a regular, cooked shark, let alone one that is completely rotting and likely pretty stinky.
China Century Egg
The century egg may not actually be 100 years old, but it certainly appears to be. Hard-boiled duck or chicken eggs are mixed in ash, salt, clay, rice hulls, and a little bit of lime. The eggs are left to sit and age for months, turning them a dark green color and imparting a strong ammonia-like smell.
If you are up for eating a black, smelly egg, go for it! We hear it tastes pretty salty. But you will have to let us know because this is one food we do not want to try.
Korea Ttongsul
Ttongsul is a traditional Korean medicine made from the poop of a human child between the ages of 4 and 7. The poo is refrigerated for several days, then divided into small pieces and fermented overnight. It is then boiled, strained, and mixed with rice and yeast. This mix is left to ferment for another week.
The medicine is used to help upset stomachs. This is a traditional medicine and is not widely eaten today, but it is still gross enough to make our list!
Chicken Feet
We believe that no food should be wasted, but we may have to draw the line when it comes to eating chicken feet. That tough, weird skin and the claws are a real turn-off. But many people around the world love chicken feet and prepare them in all different ways. Would you eat this strange part of the bird?
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