Nasty delicacies

Bon appetit!

Food considered tasty by some can be regarded as disgusting by others. Bugs, larvae, and an assortment of animal body parts are found on menus in many parts of the world. Would you sit down to a meal of rotting shark, a plate of bull testicles, or a bowl of bird embryo?

WHALE BACON

It is customary in some regions of Japan to consume thin slices of greasy whale underbelly, known as bacon.

BALUT

Balut is a developing bird embryo (usually a duck) that is boiled and eaten from the shell. High in protein, it's considered a delicacy across many parts of Asia. Sound strange? Is it so different to a boiled chicken egg? The dish wins no prizes for looks.

BEONDEGI

In South Korea it is common to eat silkworm pupae. First the critters are dipped in boiling water, before being fried and consumed as a crunchy appetizer.

BLACK PUDDING

Black pudding or blood sausage is made from pork fat or beef suet and pork blood. Variations of blood sausage are gobbled up with gusto in countries across northern Europe, particularly in the UK.

CASU MARZU

On the disgusting scale, this cheese is pretty much near the top. A Sardinian treat, it's made with sheep milk cheese that contains live insect larvae. Yes, maggots! The larvae eat through the cheese, breaking down the fats to leave a smooth, creamy texture. A typical casu marzu will contain thousands of these maggots.

CROCODILE MEAT

Crocodile meat is a delicacy in some parts of Asia and across the African continent.

DURIAN

Notorious for its foul odour, a smell that's been variously described as something like rotten onions, turpentine, and raw sewage, this fruit is banned in some public areas in cities across southeast Asia because of its nausea-inducing pong. Still, some people tuck into it gleefully.

ESCAMOLE

The Aztecs loved this dish and it's still enjoyed in parts of Mexico. A combination of the larvae and pupae of ants, it's like an insect caviar. Enjoy with a couple of tortillas and a potent margarita.

ESCARGOT

Cooked snails seasoned with garlic, butter, and chopped parsley and washed down with a chilled white wine is the height of sophistication for many people in France, and the dish is much appreciated throughout Europe.

FROG LEGS

Still enormously popular in France both fried and grilled, frog legs are also popular in China and Indonesia.

ROASTED GUINEA PIG

Fried or roasted guinea pig is typical of Peru. The dish is also popular in Ecuador.

HAGGIS

If you're up for sheep heart, liver, and lungs minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt all stuffed in the animal's stomach, then this dish is for you. A traditional Scottish meal, some may find learning the bagpipes easier than trying to eat this concoction.

HÁKARL

In Iceland, fermented Greenland shark is served up after the creature has been gutted, buried for 6-12 weeks, dug up, cut into strips and hung to dry for several months. It has a strong ammonia smell and fishy taste.

IKIZUKURI

Live sashimi. Usually fish, but octopus, shrimp, and lobster may also be used. It's consumed while the unfortunate creature is still alive and the whole deal is considered a delicacy in Japan. Animal rights campaigners take note.

KANGAROO

Australia's national symbol is also one of its favorite lunch options. High in protein and low in fat, 'roo meat is turned into steak, hamburger, and sausage.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN OYSTERS

If you're ever offered a plate of Rocky Mountain oysters be aware that you'll be tucking into a dish of fried bull testicles. Don't let the name of this cowboy fare deceive you.

CENTURY EGG

Duck, chicken, or quail eggs preserved in a mixture of salt, ash, lime, and rice hulls for several weeks or even months. Also known as thousand-year-egg or preserved egg, this Chinese delicacy has a sulphuric pong.

BLOOD PANCAKES

Whipped up using pork blood, milk, rye flour, molasses, onions, and butter, this Scandinavian treat is closer in taste to a blood sausage or thin burger than a pancake.

CHICKEN FEET

Chicken feet are cooked in several countries including China. They are exactly what you would expect: skin and tendons, with no muscle.

SAN-NAKJI

Definitely not for the squeamish, this Korean favorite consists of long-arm octopus that while dead still displays movement in its tentacles due to reflex nerve action. This live appearance is applauded at dinner tables.

SHIOKARA

Another dish requiring an acquired taste, this Japanese snack consists of various raw marine animals chopped and melded into a viscous brown paste in their own fermented viscera. A traditional appetizer, it is often chased with a slug of whiskey for good reason.

BUG LARVAE

Nothing is wasted or overlooked in southeast Asia, and bug larvae remain a greatly appreciated source of protein across the region.

SMALAHOVE

Perhaps it's because of those long, cold winter's nights. Maybe it's the hypnotic allure of the Northern Lights. Whatever, Norwegians love tucking into smoked sheep's heads, with or without the brain, and traditionally chomping first on ears and eyes.

FRIED TARANTULA

The Cambodians are the spider-eating champions of the world. There's nothing like biting into a fat, juicy arachnid, freshly frazzled and garnished with sugar, salt, and crushed garlic.

TUNA EYEBALL

It's not unusual to be stared out by a tuna in China or Japan. This delicacy, boiled and seasoned to taste, is found in restaurants and stores across Asia. Look out for them on your travels.

TURTLE SOUP

In China, Singapore, and in some states in the US, turtle soup is served as a specialty dish.

SNAKE WINE

An alcoholic beverage infused with a snake, sometimes still alive, is available in parts of southeast Asia. Some imbibe the drink for medicinal purposes, though no health benefits have been proven.

KHASH

Fancy a dish of boiled cow or sheep's feet, perhaps with the head thrown in for good measure? Then tuck into a helping of Khash, an aromatic broth typical in Turkey and Armenia.

WITCHETTY GRUB

The Australia, the large, wood-eating larvae of several kinds of moth are eaten raw or fried fried. They are a high-protein food traditional to indigenous Australians.

PS: I hope you've just eaten.

better than all the crap sold in stores here. the fda is soulless.

Posted by juliettee
though frog legs seem yummy.

They look very yummy indeed, like roasted pigeon or something.

Posted by 2Moon
Ban HeavyEntertainmentShow!!

NOW!!

😷😫😩

Snack time, honey. Wash your hands first and then take a seat at the table.

Posted by CrimsonGirl
Why why why did I click on this thread?

Because you're either:

A) a mazochist.

B) looking for a way to take revenge on your brother. What better way to do that than make him lose his breakfast, lunch & dinner?

I imagine whale meat wouldn't be gross. Also I've eaten alligator, so I imagine crocodile meat isn't too far off. Also had akangaroo burger. It was ok.

I'm also from the south so pig feet and chiltins are all par for the course:

I've tried guinea pig. Also had baby lama.

Posted by 2Moon

Posted by HeavyEntertainmentShow

Posted by 2Moon
Ban HeavyEntertainmentShow!!

NOW!!

😷😫😩

Snack time, honey. Wash your hands first and then take a seat at the table.

Pew pew pew mothafakaaa

click to expand

Oh please, Madison would wipe the floor with feeble Ricky.

Posted by LadyNeptune
I've tried guinea pig. Also had baby lama.

I love “blood pancakes” (in Sweden it’s called blud puding) 😋

Frog legs and alligator are also A1 👌🏼

And chicken hearts which you somehow managed to disclude 🤤

Posted by HeavyEntertainmentShow

Posted by LadyNeptune
I've tried guinea pig. Also had baby lama.

click to expand

When in peru