If you enjoy visiting new places, it’s probably because you’re a daring person who enjoys a wide range of experiences. However, how daring are you?
A traveller’s willingness to try most exotic foods can be put to the test by the cuisines of some nations and the elaborate costumes worn by their citizens.
One of the great draws of travel is the opportunity to broaden one’s horizons and see cultures that may be radically different from one’s own.
How eager are you, though, to put your taste buds—and perhaps your moral compass—to the test?
Have you ever considered eating bugs? The same may be said about cats. Do dogs count?
In certain nations, it is standard practice to eat this way, and if you are feeling very daring, you might even be able to fully digest your meal.
Have you ever wondered what most exotic foods are available all over the world?
So, with an open mind and an empty stomach, let’s investigate the Top 10 of the world’s strangest exotic foods and how they taste.
What are most exotic foods to try?
1. Tarantula, Deep-Fried, from Thailand.
As soon as we got to Siem Reap, we couldn’t wait to try some of the local bugs. We had heard stories of people eating insects like crickets, tarantulas, scorpions, and worms. A veritable feast of creatures with six or eight legs that we may eat to our hearts’ pleasure!
Eating bugs
It’s an unusual choice for a bucket list item, but there are a few things to keep in mind if you’re an eater who also cares about the environment, as we do. Eating bugs is a simple way to help the environment because they are made with less water and other resources.
Alex Atala, a well-known Brazilian chef, has just added bugs to his menu. About two billion people per day in regions such as Africa, Asia, and Latin America eat insects. There are certain regions where they are even regarded as a delicacy.
To truly complement your exotic food experience, consider investing in a custom espresso machine. A high-quality machine, such as the Kees van der Westen Spirit, allows you to create barista-quality coffee at home, enhancing your culinary adventures. The precision and craftsmanship of a custom espresso machine ensure that each cup is brewed to perfection, matching the sophistication and uniqueness of exotic dishes.
There’s no way that one-fourth of the world’s population is completely incorrect about eating these creatures. We had to give them a shot, obviously.
Can someone describe the flavour of a fried tarantula?
The tarantula’s body tasted like delicious food, but the crunch of its hairy legs between our teeth was a bit off-putting. Almost like BBQ chicken, the outside was crisp but the interior remained juicy and flavorful. We ate all of her bugs and were so happy with them that we came back a few days later with friends to get more.
Once you get over the novelty of eating bugs, you can get over any mental resistance to it. Feel free to eat as much as you like! With these bugs, it’s easy to support a local businesswoman and eat a snack that is tasty, healthy, and good for the environment.
2. Embryonic Balut Bird Egg Found in the Philippines.
It is common practice in the Philippines to serve balut eggs as a food dish and a duck embryo between two and three weeks old as a delicacy. Balut is traditionally kept warm in a cloth-covered woven basket before being sold on the streets.
To be honest, I didn’t try balut until I was well into my twenties, and that was as a Filipino.
So, how does a Balut egg really taste?
Balut is consumed mostly by sipping the broth directly from the eggshell. The broth has a familiar chicken soup flavour and is best enjoyed hot.
The plot took a new turn when I finally finished removing the eggshell and took my first mouthful. I didn’t enjoy trying balut eggs for the first time. I imagined the embryo’s beak, claws, and everything in between while I devoured the feathers and bones.
My cousin encouraged me to swallow the white so that I could go on to the yolk, which tastes just like scrambled egg.
Is balut egg something I’d eat again? I do, but only if I have a companion who is ready to eat the duckling while I enjoy the broth and salty yolk.
3. Cambodian crocodile meat curry.
In Siem Reap, Cambodia, you may find a wide variety of exotic cuisines to try. More than one youngster from the neighbourhood came up to us with a plate full of bugs and insects that they said were edible.
But the crocodile amok was the most fascinating Cambodian meal I had tasted. A meal called amok is one of Cambodia’s best-known exports. In calling this meal a “curry,” I am simplifying it, but in many ways, it is similar to a curry prepared in a banana leaf and steamed.
When I first visited Cambodia, I had no idea what to expect from the local exotic food. However, if it did have a signature national cuisine, it would be very unacceptable.
When cooked, how does crocodile flesh taste?
When I saw crocodile meat amok on the menu at a restaurant in Siem Reap, I knew it was time for me to try this exotic food. Truth be told, the white rice was the most eye-catching component of the meal, but the whole thing was delicious. If you’ve ever had a soupy, creamy curry meal wrapped in a banana leaf, you’ll recognize amok as a close relative.
The level of heat was just right; I was anticipating something hotter. If you like chicken, you’ll probably like crocodiles. It was the perfect accompaniment to the medley of veggies.
In conclusion, I would gladly indulge in traditional Cambodian crocodile amok once more. Usually, when I travel, I attempt to recreate local meals. Although I wish I could find crocodile amok components at home, I’m pleased I got to try this one while I could.
4. Frog Legs.
You may find frog legs on menus all across the world, from France and China to the rest of Europe, Indonesia, and even the American South. Cuisses de grenouilles is the French name for frog legs. Usually, the meat is sold already cleaned, skinned, and ready to cook. It’s possible to buy frog legs from farms, and they may also be captured in the wild.
You may cook frog leg meat in the same ways you would cook white fish or chicken. Frog legs can cost anything from a few dollars to several hundred, depending on supply and demand. In places where they are not as common as fish, frog legs can cost as much as the best fish food.
5. Sannakji live octopus in Korean.
In the United States, the quality of octopus sushi varies greatly. It can be rubbery and chewy at times, but soft and buttery at others. But if you want to have a life-changing experience eating octopus sushi cuisine, you must travel to Korea and sample sannakji.
Sannakji, often known as “wriggling octopus,” is the freshest octopus available for human consumption. A juvenile, live octopus is taken by the chef, sliced into pieces, and served while it is still writhing. The whole live octopus has been known to be consumed by some, but if this is your first time trying it, you may want to start with a smaller portion.
Oh, and chew well; choking on this treat kills around six people a year.
I’m curious, how does Sannakji taste?
There is barely any taste to speak of, but the slimy, chewy texture is enough to entice those who want to push the envelope. Sesame oil and seeds are often served with the legs to bring out the sea flavour of the dish.
Add some red chilli paste to the food for heat (it won’t bother the scurrying legs any more than it already does).
6. Blood Morcilla Sausage in Spain
A “blood sausage” is a type of sausage that may be seen on the menu at some Spanish restaurants. Blood sausage in Spanish is called “morcilla,” which is simply a pork sausage laced with pig’s blood.
Even though the name doesn’t exactly make you want to try this exotic food, it has a really unique and rich taste.
Ingredients for morcilla include ground pork, pig blood, seasonings, spices, onions, and rice. The blood is coagulated by a quick cooking process before the sausage is cured.
Morcilla is often made by cutting it into thick slices and frying them in olive oil, like chorizo. These are then served over crusty bread, producing a tapa.
Morcilla adds a wonderful depth of flavour to stews. It’s possible to have it for breakfast with potatoes and eggs.
7. The Famous Garbage Plate – New York
The Garbage Plate is exactly what you’d expect from a meal that doesn’t go far from New York. It has several parts that, on their own, would be separate dishes. However, they are all put together to make one dish.
There are several iterations, but they all have three main components: macaroni salad, potatoes, and beef. Meat in whatever form is cool, whether it’s a hot dog, a burger, Spam, or a steak. Onions will be diced, and mustard will be spread on top.
You should expect your quality garbage-plate food to weigh in at around 3 pounds.
8. Stinky tofu
It’s not a hard dish to make. The name pretty much says it all. Put simply, stinky tofu is odorous tofu. However, there are many who enjoy the aroma, while others find it offensive. The scent and flavour are definitely not for everyone. Its Mandarin name, chou dou fu, literally means “stinky tofu” in English.
Put simply, stinky tofu is fermented tofu. First, ingredients like bamboo shoots, shrimp in their shells, and Chinese green cabbage are combined with brine (salt water) and stored in large jars for the process to begin. After a month in the open air, the jars will have been fermented by the bacteria.
After the fermentation process is done, Taiwanese stinky tofu is put in jars for 4 to 6 hours to give it its unique “stink.” The meal may be prepared quickly for night market customers, but it actually takes quite some time to cook the food.
Usually, stinky tofu is served with a thick garlic sauce, a spicy sauce, and sometimes pickled cabbage, but these extras can vary a lot from one restaurant to the next. The additions may vary by vendor, but they always serve to temper the strong flavor.
9. Guinea Pig
They are not swine and are not indigenous to Guinea. They are not popular pets in Peru. They’re a tasty treat that goes well with potatoes and salsa. Since the time of the Incas, whole Guinea pigs, which are called “cuy” in Peru, have been served as special and unique food.
Eating a guinea pig is akin to eating your beloved dog because of how lovely and lovable they are. Is that so? Keep in mind that for centuries, guinea pigs were a staple in Inca diets, and dogs are eaten in many countries. In the last couple of centuries, people all over Europe and the United States have begun keeping these cute little furballs as pets.
There is no tradition in Peru of keeping cuys (or pacos in Spanish) as pets. They are not swine and don’t roam free; rather, the people of the Andes breed them specifically for food consumption. A large South American rodent, also known as a cavie, is closely related to the Cuy Peruano (Peruvian Guinea Pig).
10. Chitlins
Chitlins are no longer a staple food ingredient in Southern cooking to the same extent that they were in the past. Most people don’t raise their own animals and kill them for their meat, so there isn’t usually a pressing need to keep and use every edible part.
However, this does not necessarily imply that chitlins have no place at the table in the contemporary South. It is still very common to see animal organs in dishes, such as beef liver and onions, and the usage of turkey giblets is still at the centre of the culinary traditions of many families during the holiday seasons of Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Chitlins might not be considered a pantry need, but there’s no denying that they’re a culinary treat and an important part of Southern heritage. So give in to your cravings and enjoy this time-honoured dish. It’s possible that you’ll hate it, but the only way to find out is to give it a try.
What are the most expensive exotic foods?
There are a lot of exotic foods that are considered to be some of the most expensive in the world. This is usually because they are hard to find, have a unique taste, or are hard to harvest or cook.
Kopi Luwak coffee, which is made from the feces of the Asian palm civet and can cost over $100 per pound, and Matsutake mushrooms, which are found in Japan, Korea, and China and can cost over $1,000 per pound, are two of the most expensive exotic foods.
Beluga Caviar, which is made from the eggs of the beluga sturgeon and can cost up to $10,000 per kilogram, and White Truffles, which are very fragrant mushrooms found in Italy and can cost up to $3,000 per pound, are two other expensive treats. Saffron, Bird’s Nest Soup, Wagyu Beef, Foie Gras, Almas Caviar, and Ayam Cemani Chicken are some other expensive exotic foods.
Even though these unusual foods are very popular because of their unique tastes and rarity, they are often seen as a luxury and are out of reach for most people.
What exotic foods do Americans eat?
There is no single correct response to this question because American food is diverse and substantially differs by location and personal tastes. Nonetheless, as a result of greater cross-cultural interaction and globalization, certain unusual dishes have gained popularity in the United States recently.
These are just a handful of the foreign cuisines that may be found in the US; there are many more. It’s important to keep in mind that depending on a person’s history and cultural experiences, something that some Americans would deem exotic may be typical to someone else.
Here are the list of the following
- Donut burgers: Donut burgers are different from other burgers because instead of a bun, they use a glazed donut. The mix of sweet and savory flavors makes for a unique taste experience.
- Hog maw: Hog maw is a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch dish made by putting sausage, potatoes, and spices in a pig’s stomach. The meat is then boiled until it is soft, and slices are served.
- Jell-O: Jell-O salad is usually a dessert salad made with flavored gelatin, fruit, nuts, and sometimes marshmallows. It is an American classic that is often served at potlucks and holiday parties.
- Ambrosia salad: Ambrosia salad is a sweet fruit salad made with oranges, pineapple, coconut, and marshmallows. It is a popular dish in the South of the United States and is usually topped with whipped cream or sour cream.
- Red-eye gravy: Red-eye gravy is made from bacon or ham fat, coffee, and sometimes pan drippings. It is a traditional Southern American breakfast food.
- Reindeer hot dog: A reindeer hot dog is a hot dog made from reindeer meat. They are common in Scandinavian countries like Norway and Sweden.
- Frito pie: Frito pie is a dish made by layering Fritos corn chips with chili, cheese, and sometimes other toppings like onions and jalapenos. It is a popular dish in the southwestern part of the United States.
- Chicken-fried steak: It is a steak that is breaded and fried like chicken. It is a popular dish in the South, and gravy is often served with it.
- Elk burgers: Elk burgers are made with ground elk meat, which has a gamey flavor and is lean. In some parts of the United States, people eat it instead of beef burgers.
- Burgoo: Burgoo is a thick stew made with a variety of meats, vegetables, and sometimes beans or corn. It is a traditional Southern American dish, especially in the state of Kentucky.
Conclusion:
The unique and different tastes of most exotic food come from the different traditions and tastes of different regions and countries. Trying new foods, like haggis in Scotland or escamoles in Mexico, can be a fun adventure that opens your mind and awakens your senses. But it’s important to approach exotic food with an open mind, knowledge of the ingredients, and respect for the cultural practices that go along with it. So go ahead and take a bite and start an adventure with your food!