The dishes below all have very special flavors and preparation methods, which may not suit everyone's taste. If you want to try these dishes, think carefully and find a reputable place to ensure food hygiene and safety.
1. Casu Marzu (Maggot Cheese) – Italy
Casu Marzu is a special fermented sheep cheese from Sardinia, Italy. What makes this dish unique and intriguing is the presence of fly larvae inside. When the cheese is fermented, flies lay eggs in it and the larvae hatch, creating an enzyme that helps break down the cheese. fat in cheese, creating a distinctive flavor.
Although it sounds horrifying, Casu Marzu is a favorite among many locals. When enjoying it, people often close their eyes and chew quickly to avoid the feeling of the larvae moving in their mouth.
2. Sannakji (Live Octopus) – Korea
Sannakji is a raw dish made from fresh octopus. The octopus is cut into small pieces and served fresh. The octopus tentacles are still twitching on the plate, making for a unique and challenging dining experience.
To enjoy Sannakji, you need to be very careful because the tentacles can stick to the roof of your mouth or throat. Therefore, this dish is only for those with a really “strong” stomach.
3. Balut (Duck Egg) – Vietnam
Balut is a popular dish in Vietnam and the Philippines, made from duck eggs that have been incubated for about 17-21 days. When the eggs are boiled, inside there will be a nearly fully formed duck embryo.
To enjoy Balut, people usually peel the egg and use a straw to suck the egg white and yolk. Some people also like to eat the duck embryo. Balut has a slightly fishy and fatty taste, and is a very protein-rich dish.
4. Hákarl (Fermented Shark Meat) – Iceland
Hákarl is a traditional Icelandic dish made from blue shark meat. The shark meat is salted, hung to drain, and fermented for months. This fermentation process removes the toxic ammonia in the shark meat, but still leaves a very distinctive and strong flavor.
Hákarl has a very foul smell and a rather strong taste, not everyone can enjoy it. However, this is a specialty dish of Iceland and is considered a cultural icon by the locals.
5. Fried Worms – Thailand
Thailand and some Southeast Asian countries such as Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam are famous for their unique and attractive street foods. One of them is fried worms. The worms are cleaned, fried and can be eaten with different spices.
This dish is not only rich in protein but also a new culinary experience for those who want to explore unique flavors.