I t’s no surprise that every country has its charm and adds a special twist to its food. Even if you aren’t thinking about visiting new lands, getting to learn all about the world is always a fun activity.
Although some of these foods may seem strange and might make you feel rather icky, don’t knock it till you try it. Who knows, perhaps one of these might just become your favorite dish to eat!
Found mainly in the United Kingdom, Spain, France, and Germany, this dish originated in Great Britain and Ireland. Although more popularly known as a Blood Sausage, this particular food consists of dried and congealed blood-filled into a sausage filling until it is thick enough to solidify when cold.
Don’t worry, there’s no need to be suspicious of the blood since it’s more commonly used with pigs, lambs, sheep, or even a goose!
Originating from the United States, this dish is made with just six ingredients- pork with ham, salt, water, sugar, potato starch, and sodium nitrite- in 1937 to use the underused shoulder-cut pig meat and gained popularity during the Second World War by the troops.
If you think it’s rather unusual that a cuisine famous from the World War is still so famous, wait till you hear about the Spam Museum in Minnesota, where the dish comes from!
Not as icky as it sounds, and certainly does not taste as bad as it smells, this is a Chinese dish known as Bundaegi by the natives. If you ever find yourself in Southeast Asia, let the distinctive smell of the crunchy snack draw you in for a nutty and rich taste!
It is pretty popular all over Southeast Asia, mainly because of the protein intake available for cheap.
Even if you aren’t that old, the flying scene from Pretty Woman is pretty much a classic. If you wish to try them solely for the movie experience or to check out what the hype is all about, head on out to France or Morocco. Although with differing views, escargot is quite a delicacy in France and winter-time street food in Morocco. Both dishes are beloved to each of their regions.
The French go for a deviled egg by purging and removing the snails from their shells, then cooking them in garlic butter or chicken stock, and finally serving by placing them back in their shells with a sauce. They are usually seen eating the cuisine as a form of appetizer.
Moroccans, on the other hand, prefer simplicity. The babouche is cooked in a spicy broth and served in bowls along with the broth, and is considered to be a warm and comforting snack to binge on during chilly nights!
Seems like the French and Southeast Asians certainly know how to rock a party; served to you boiled, grilled, or fried, frog legs are considered to be quite a delicacy by the French!
Though eating the amphibian’s legs does sound rather unusual, you’d be surprised to find out how many frogs are taken out to feed people. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids and proteins, it’s not uncommon for the frogs to twitch even after being cooked thoroughly, so if you’re fainthearted you might want to steer clear of the food.
Don’t be confused by the name, this dish is made of something you would probably never expect, deep-fried peeled bull testicles! Alternatively known by even more misleading names such as Cowboy caviar or Prairie Oysters, you can find these pretty easily in the States.
Technically the names aren’t all that deceptive, they just feature a whole new kind of pearl…
If the bull testicles didn’t make you squeamish, wait till you hear about this Japanese meal. Shirako translates to white children, but don’t be afraid, since it’s made with fish sperm sacs, mostly cod or pufferfish. You can eat these steamed, raw, or boiled. Either way, they are said to be pretty creamy!
Granted that some of these descriptions may have made you lose your appetite, but if you come to face these unusual foods from around the world, don’t hold back from tasting them, you may like them!
