Are you foodie? Always looking for something new and unique to try? While most of us stick to our favourite foods and seldom venture from our comfort foods, some people like to take eating to the extreme and sample unusual foods from around the world.
Here are some options for extreme eating:
- Hakarl: The Icelandic version of beef jerky, Hakarl is rotten shark meat that has been fermented. It is hung to dry for several months, similar to other smoked meats, and is known for its strong ammonia smell.
- Durian: Known as the “king of fruits” in Singapore, this spiky-looking fruit might be intimidating. Inside is a yellowish, cream-coloured flesh that is commonly described as having a taste similar to vanilla pudding with a hint of onion.
- Haggis: This traditional Scottish item is a combination of suet (hard fatty tissue from within the abdominal cavity, often from a sheep), spices, inner organs, oatmeal and onion, all encased in sheep’s stomach.
- Snake soup: A regular dish in Hong Kong, snake soup is a Cantonese delicacy that has a similar flavour to hot and sour soup, but with snake meat instead of pork or chicken. Some restaurants in Hong Kong even have snake-infused liqueur to go with the soup.
- Chapulines: Popular in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, chapulines (grasshoppers) are a common pub snack and used as a taco filling. They are most commonly seasoned with chili powder and lime juice, giving them a spicy flavour and crispy texture.
- Bird’s nest soup: A popular Asian dish, it gets its name from the main ingredient of the meal. Pieces of the swiftlet nest, which is made of the bird’s saliva, are stewed in chicken stock to create a thick and hearty soup.
- Lutefisk: Common in Minnesota by way of Norwegian immigrants, this is an aged fish dish. It traditionally uses cod or whitefish that is soaked in lye until it becomes translucent. It has a gelatinous texture and is known for having an overpowering smell.
- Rocky Mountain oysters: Popular in Montana and known by a number of names, such as prairie oysters, cowboy caviar and swinging beef, these are deep-fried bull testicles. This delicacy is a tradition among those in the western United States.
- Insects and other bugs: Various bugs and related critters are a popular food choice in the eastern hemisphere. From spiders to worms and everything in between, they are commonly dipped in chocolate or a special dipping sauce.
- Kalua pig: Perhaps the most appetizing item on this list, kalua pig is a must-try if you ever find yourself in Hawaii. Traditionally, the pig is smoked for hours in a sandpit.