Food is one of the many things that has brought different cultures together for centuries. Still, people from all around the world love to eat different types of food. However, sometimes things can get a little weird. Different cultures like to eat food that might not seem very delicious to the rest of the world.
Another interesting thing here is that these foods are not only a few. A lot of weird cuisine are being consumed all across the world. In this article, I am going to discuss the 20 weirdest foods that people actually eat. Let’s start.
20 Weirdest Foods People Actually Eat:
The details of these weirdest foods are shared below:
1. Chicken’s Feet:
We all love eating chicken whether it’s fried or put into foods like burritos. However, people from East Asia and the Caribbean love to each a very weird part of the chicken which is its feet. Chicken’s Feet is a famous food in these areas and people absolutely love eating it.
It holds great cultural significance and is believed to be a very nutritious meal. The recipe can be different for each region. Its curry can taste very good when you put spices in it. However, the bony feet can give you a weird feeling while eating.
2. Haggis:
Scotland has many foods and cousins that are tasty and delicious. However, its national food, Haggis, might surprise you a little bit. It is purely made of sheep’s pluck which includes its heart, liver, and lungs. These organs are minced along with onion, oatmeal, suet, and other spices.
The weird thing here is this food’s cooking method. It is enclosed in the sheep’s stomach for cooking which sounds very strange. Still, Scottish people love making and eating this dish and it holds great importance in the culture.
3. Balut:
Just like chicken, another sophisticated bird we love eating is the duck. Whether it’s roasted or cooked with curry, it never disappoints when it comes to giving a delicious taste. However, the people of the Philippines and Vietnam make an interesting dish named Balut with a duck’s egg.
It’s actually made of a duck’s embryo boiled and steamed within the shell. People wait for around two to three weeks to let the embryo grow before eating it. It’s popular in these countries and is believed to be nutritious as well.
4. Sheep Brains:
Although it might seem weird, sheep brains used to be a popular food in countries like the United Kingdom. It’s still being consumed by many people all around the world including Turkey, China, and India.
The good thing here is that you can cook it any way you like. It mainly depends on the region you’re making it in. Besides sheep, people also love consuming the brains of other animals like goats, cows, pigs, and horses. Regardless of how well or deliciously cooked, it’s still a weird food for many.
5. Fugu:
Japanese people love eating seafood and making Fugu dishes is evidence. Fugu is a fish name that is famously eaten in Japan. It looks like a normal fish but is considered to be one of the most toxic animals in the world. Its stomach contains chemicals that can be dangerous when eating.
So, experienced chefs try to make it with complete delicacy. Since a lot of people are hospitalized by eating this fish the wrong way. Still, thousands of people love eating it due to the amazing texture it offers. It’s also a sign of bravery and culinary skills.
6. Fried Tarantulas:
Let’s make it weirder! People would jump off their chairs when they heard the word tarantulas. These spiders are notorious for causing health problems if you get bitten by them. However, the people of Cambodia love eating these insects.
They usually deep fry tarantulas or grill them with garlic and salt. Some people love making them with chili and lime dressing. Whatever dressing you put on this dish, it still remains unimaginable to eat for many people.
7. Khash:
Arabian food is one of the most famous along with Indian food all around the world. Whether it is Hummus or Falafel, people love eating these dishes. However, some people might not like Khash a lot. It’s a traditional Arabian delicacy that is made with cow’s feet and head.
These parts are cooked with several other things to make a stew. It is usually eaten on cold winter days since it helps in increasing the body’s warmth.
8. Tuna Eyeballs:
Tuna is one of the most widely consumed fish in the world and Japan is no exception. However, the Japanese also love eating Tuna eyeballs. Although it is a very delicious and nutritious fish, eating its eyeballs might not be a great choice for many people.
These eyes are available at markets in different regions of the country. People can cook them in whatever way they like. Some prefer simply boiling them and some fry or grill these eyeballs.
9. Black Pudding:
Animals like cows and pigs are consumed entirely. In other words, most of their body parts are consumed in one or another way. The same goes for their blood since it is used for making the Black Pudding. As the name suggests, it is a black-colored pudding that is made by thickening the blood of these animals.
It is a popular dish in the United Kingdom and Ireland. People make it using different recipes. However, the main ingredients are blood, thickening agents like suet, and other flavorings. Although it might sound weird, the final product is known to be very tasty.
10. Hákarl:
Hákarl is the carcass of basking shark which is famous among Icelandic people. It’s primarily known for its unique taste along with a strong smell. The process of making this dish is very interesting. It’s first buried in a pit under stones so that its toxic fluids can be released.
Once these toxic elements are released, it is then hung to dry for several months. After it has been properly dried, the carcass is then cut into different shapes. Then it is served to eat.
11. Century Egg:
Although the name hints, Century Egg isn’t about eating a hundred-year-old egg. However, it’s old and rotten enough to get disgusted. It is mainly made by preserving an egg in a mixture of ashes, clay, and salt.
There are several other elements involved in the mixture as well. the basic purpose is to preserve it for months. This preservation turns the egg yolk’s color green and greyish. After being in this condition for a long time, the egg’s texture also becomes custard-like. However, it smells really horrible.
12. Jing Leed:
Jing Leed refers to grasshoppers or crickets. It has become a famous dish, or more like a snack, in Thailand. A lot of people love eating it due to cultural values. Also, it contains fiber and protein as well.
The making procedure for this dish is simple. First, people harvest or catch a lot of grasshoppers. After that, these insects are properly cleaned and cooked. They are usually deep-fried in a wok. Then, Jing Leed is seasoned with salt, pepper powder, and some sauces.
13. Wasp Crackers:
The name of this dish is self-explanatory. These are crackers that are filled with wasps. Just think of them like chocolate chip cookies. However, instead of chocolate chips, people of Japan use wasps.
Locally, it’s known as “Jibachi Senbei” and is made of digger wasp. These insects are notorious for having a painful sting. It makes having this dish a lot more dangerous. As for the cracker itself, it is usually made of flour. These ingredients are mixed and then baked to make this dish.
14. Escamol:
Escamol is a famous dish that many people love eating in Mexico. It is also known as the Mexican caviar. It is made of larvae and pupae of a certain type of ant. These ingredients are completely edible. People harvest these ants from tequila and mescal plants.
People make this dish in different ways including frying or a taco filling. Some people love adding them to omelets. The good thing here is that this dish is completely harmless. It just sounds weird for non-Mexicans.
15. Beondegi:
Beondegi is a simple yet very popular snack in South Korea. It is made of silkworms that are usually boiled or steamed. The whole preparation method isn’t difficult at all. People first get these worms from different places.
Since it’s a popular dish, these worms can be found easily such as from street vendors. After that, worms are simply boiled or steamed for cooking. People prefer using different types of seasoning before consuming this weird dish. Although it sounds weird, people eat it for their unique texture and taste.
16. Pickled Egg:
If you’re not British, you might be surprised to know about this interesting and equally weird food consumed in the United Kingdom. People eat it in different ways such as with sandwiches or cheese. Some eat these pickled eggs on their own as well.
This food is made just like any other pickled vegetable or fruit. First, boiled eggs are left for getting cold for a while. Then, they are preserved in a vinegar-based brine. It is also flavored with different types of spices like mustard seed and pepper flakes. It’s true that it’s a very strange pickled item but it’s believed to be very nutritious.
17. Crocodile:
Sounds very wild, right? Only the name of this animal can give ick to many people. But some parts of Australia, Africa, and Southeast Asia love to eat the meat of this animal. It is openly sold in the markets and people make different dishes from it. A lot of people admire the texture of this meat and compare it with other animal meat like chicken.
It’s eaten in several ways. For example, people love making crocodile-tail steak. Some even make crocodile curry. To make things weirder, some admire roasting this animal as a whole and have a feast over it.
18. Sannakji:
Things are going to get pretty sticky while talking about Sannakji. This is a Korean dish famous for being dangerous. It’s made of live baby octopus that is chopped and served with different seasonings. This is an alive octopus and you can see its tentacles moving around in your plate.
It’s a popular dish that people love eating despite the risks it brings. If you know a little about octopus, you know its tentacles are very sticky. Since it’s alive, the stickiness doesn’t go away. It can stick in the throat while eating which can cause severe choking. So, this weird food is advised to be eaten carefully.
19. Turtle Soup:
Turtle soup is a rare and expensive dish that is served in many parts of the United States and Asia. It is mainly made with the meat of a turtle with several different ingredients. The animal’s meat and the inner part of its shell are also used in the dish.
It is believed to be a rich-flavored dish since it takes a lot of time to cook. If you’re wondering what the meat itself tastes like, people say that it is sweet and of a tender nature.
20. Southern Fried Rattlesnake:
Last but not least, another weird and adventurous dish you should know about is the Southern fried Rattlesnake. It is a famous dish in some parts of the United States. It involves frying the meat of a rattlesnake with different techniques.
In general, people marinate the meat with the help of different ingredients. After that, it is dipped in eggs and then breadcrumbs. Then, the snake meat is deep-fried and served for eating. It is advised by the experts to boil the meat off the bones before frying it for a better experience. Still, it’s a weird food no matter how you make it.
Conclusion:
Food that people eat in different countries around the world can truly surprise us sometimes. Usually, we admire foreign dishes and eat them with pleasure.
However, some parts of foreign countries eat weird food that is unimaginable to consume by a majority of people around the world. Despite this, people of different cultures believe in their values and enjoy the above-mentioned weirdest foods across the world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Are these weird foods bad for health?
They can be bad if you eat for the first time. However, they don’t affect the local public a lot.
Is eating these foods legal?
It depends on the region. However, the discussed foods are completely legal to consume in their native regions.
Is turtle soup poisonous?
No. Normal turtle soup isn’t poisonous.
