Even though I’m from the States, I’ve traveled all around the world and currently live in the Netherlands. As a self-professed foodie, being based in Europe has been great for me since it provides tons of cheap and easy travel opportunities, which lets me try out different restaurants, interesting dishes that are native to whichever country I’m visiting, and experience new foods and spices that I might not have come across in my day to day life.
Sometimes these foods are a bit strange – not in a bad way, but because they only grow in a certain geographic area, or they’re dishes prepared in a traditional way that many people aren’t familiar with, etc. In any case, trying one of these 10 weird foods is a great way to open up yourself to experience new things. Though it might not make you want to open up your mouth again for seconds.
1. Century Egg
Found in China, a Century Egg is a duck, quail, or chicken egg that’s been preserved in a, shall we say, interesting mix of salt, quicklime, rice hulls, ash, and clay for a few weeks to a few months. The result is a dark green yolk that smells like sulphur, surrounded by an egg white that turns a deep brown and gains a jelly like consistency.
2. Escamole
Escamole is a Mexican dish that looks a lot like a grain, but is actually ant larvae and pupae that are found beneath agave plants – in the roots. Unlike grains, they have a consistency that’s similar to cottage cheese and taste surprisingly buttery. They can be served in tacos and burritos, as a side, or by themselves with a mojo de ajo sauce.
3. Tripe
Oddly enough, no one really knows where tripe originated from, though it does show up in a good bit of French cuisine. Tripe can come from many different types of farm animals and is essentially from parts of animal stomachs. Beef tripe is the most common, and it’s often served in soups and stews. Other times it’s boiled, smoked, grilled, or stir fried.
4. Surstromming
Found in Sweden, Surstromming is herring that has soured and is canned. It’s known for its pretty putrid smell, and in fact, has become a bit of a legend with people taking what they call the “Surstromming Challenge” where they videotape themselves trying (and often failing) at eating an entire can of surstromming. The fish, itself, is kept edible by adding just enough salt to keep it from rotting.
5. Marmite
Marmite is a brand name for a paste that’s popular in Australia and New Zealand. It became more widely known after an episode of I Love Lucy, where Lucille Ball tried to do a commercial for the stuff. Marmite is essentially an after product left over from brewing beer. It’s a dark brown yeast extract that’s used to spread over toast. It’s also high in vitamins and has been used to treat malnourishment in developing countries and as part of military rations.
6. Beondegi
In Korea, people will commonly snack on something called “beondegi” which is silkworm pupae that’s been steamed or boiled. They’re actually so common that they are sold by street carts. People started eating them as a source of protein during the Korean War, and they just became part of the national diet. They’re usually cooked with soy sauce and sugar.
7. Cockscombs
The cockscombs is the red, fleshy part of a chicken or turkey on the top of its head. In France, they’ve been used to garnish dishes, but they’re also commonly used as a main ingredient in some dishes from everything to stews to desserts (where the cockscomb is candied and served with pudding).
8. Bull Testicles
In the US and Canada, bull testicles are frequently peeled, floured, and deep fried to create a dish known as “Rocky Mountain oysters”. Generally served at outdoor fairs and markets, they’re served with cocktail sauce.
9. Tepa
You know you’re in for a treat when the food you’re eating has its own nickname – especially when it’s called a “stinkhead”. Tepa is a traditional food in Alaska that’s made from fermenting the heads of whitefish. After their heads are cut off, they’re prepared and buried in the ground for a week.
10. Head Cheese
At its core, head cheese is random bits of meat inside of a jelly or jell-o like substance. It generally uses calf or pig meat, but can be made with cow or sheep meat. A few vegetables (like onions), along with spices are added to a stock with gelatin. Once the concoction is hardened, it can be sliced and eaten on toast or eaten by itself.
What is a weird food that you’ve tried? Did you like or hate it? Would you be willing to try any of the weird foods above? Let us know in the comments!
