10 Weirdest Foods You Can Eat While Traveling
Traveling isn’t just about seeing new places—it’s also about tasting the weird, wild, and downright bizarre foods the world has to offer.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
Every culture has its own unique cuisine, but some dishes push the boundaries of what most people consider “normal” food. From fermented fish that smells like death to a cheese that literally crawls with maggots, these ten bizarre foods will challenge even the bravest eaters. If you’re looking to shock your taste buds (or your friends), these dishes are worth trying.
1. Balut – Philippines
Judgefloro on Wikimedia Commons
Balut is a street food delicacy made from a fertilized duck egg with a partially developed embryo inside. It is served boiled and eaten straight from the shell. It combines rich broth with tender duck and a bit of crunch if you go for the bones. Locals say it’s packed with protein and an aphrodisiac. On the other hand, tourists usually struggle with the mental challenge of eating it.
2. Casu Marzu – Italy
Shardan on Wikimedia Commons
This Sardinian cheese is illegal in most places because it’s infested with live maggots. The larvae help break down the cheese, making it super soft, but they also jump when disturbed, so diners have to shield their eyes. Some people eat it while the maggots are still alive, while others prefer to kill them first. Either way, it’s a cheese experience like no other.
3. Surströmming – Sweden
Wrote on Wikimedia Commons
This fermented Baltic herring is famous for its unbearable stench—think of rotten eggs mixed with sewage. Swedes traditionally eat it outdoors to avoid stinking up their homes, usually with potatoes and crispbread to balance the intense flavor. Many first-timers gag before even taking a bite. If you can get past the smell, the taste is surprisingly mild.
4. Hákarl – Iceland
Jerick Parrone on Wikimedia Commons
This dish consists of a fermented Greenland shark buried underground for months. The result? A chewy, ammonia-scented meat that smells like cleaning supplies and burns like vodka going down. Even famous chef Anthony Bourdain called it “the single worst thing” he’d ever eaten.
5. Tuna Eyeballs – Japan
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Huge, gelatinous tuna eyeballs are sold in Japanese fish markets and often boiled or sautéed in soy sauce. They have a squishy, fatty texture with a taste similar to squid or octopus. According to those who eat it, the best part is the rich, umami-packed muscle around the eyeball. It’s not for the squeamish, but it’s definitely a conversation starter.
6. Fried Tarantulas – Cambodia
Thomas Schoch on Wikimedia Commons
Originally eaten during food shortages, these crispy, deep-fried spiders are now a popular snack. The legs are crunchy, while the body is a mix of white meat and gooey insides. Some say it tastes like soft-shell crab; others say it’s more like chicken. Either way, if you’re afraid of spiders, this is one way to get revenge.
7. Century Egg – China
Fumikas Sagisavas on Wikimedia Commons
This “100-year-old egg” isn’t actually that old, but it is preserved for months until the white turns into brown jelly and the yolk becomes creamy and dark green. The strong, ammonia-like smell puts many people off, but it’s considered a delicacy in China. The taste? Salty, rich, and slightly sulfuric—kind of like blue cheese but way stronger.
8. Stink Bugs – South Africa
Sankar 1995 on Wikimedia Commons
These little critters are eaten fried or raw and are known for their strong, bitter taste. Some say they have a hint of cinnamon, while others describe them as overwhelmingly pungent. They’re packed with protein and are considered a natural remedy for certain ailments. Just don’t breathe through your nose while chewing.
9. Jellied Moose Nose – Canada
rhosoi on Wikimedia Commons
A traditional dish among Indigenous communities, this dish involves boiling a moose’s nose until it becomes gelatinous. The result is a wobbly, meaty jelly sliced and served cold. It’s rich in collagen and has a texture similar to head cheese. It’s not your average Canadian cuisine, but it’s definitely an experience.
10. Escamoles – Mexico
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Often called “insect caviar,” escamoles are ant larvae harvested from the roots of agave plants. They have a buttery, nutty flavor and are often served with tortillas or scrambled eggs. They were considered a delicacy by the Aztecs and are still enjoyed today. If you can get past the fact that you’re eating baby ants, they’re actually quite tasty.