The world is full of amazing flavors and delicacies, but if you’re searching for the most unusual and surprising eats, you’re in the right place. In this blog we’ve covered bizarre local delicacies to dishes that push the boundaries of what we think food should be, these weird foods from around the world are as fascinating as they are unforgettable. Some may make you curious, some might challenge your taste buds, and others could leave you completely amazed. So, for every adventurous foodie out there or just someone who loves discovering the strange and wonderful side of global cuisine, there’s something here that will for sure grab your attention. In this blog, we’ll take you on a journey to explore the weirdest dishes around the world and by the end, you might just find yourself adding a few unusual bites to your travel bucket list.
Casu Marzu- Italy, Sardinia
First on our list is Casu Marzu which is one of the most well-known weird foods from around the world and comes from Sardinia, Italy. It is a sheep’s milk cheese that contains live insect larvae, which break down the cheese into a soft paste. It is eaten by spreading it on traditional Sardinian bread and pairing it with strong red wine. The flavor is sharp, salty, and pungent, and the texture is creamy. It is also banned in the European Union for health reasons, so it is hard to find and can cost over €100 per kilogram on the black market, but the locals see it as a cultural specialty.
Mad Honey- Nepal
Next is, Mad Honey from Nepal which is collected from hives of giant bees that live on Himalayan cliffs. The bees feed on rhododendron flowers, which gives the honey a reddish color and mild hallucinogenic effects. It has an earthy, slightly bitter taste with a floral smell and locals like to eat it in small amounts with bread, yogurt, or tea. Note that large amounts of this honey can cause dizziness or nausea, so it is consumed carefully. It is mainly sold in Nepal and is considered a rare and unusual regional product. Additionally, harvesting this is dangerous and production is low, which makes it costing around $50-$60 for a small jar.
Balut- Philippines
Balut is another weird food which is basically a fertilized duck egg that is boiled and eaten directly from the shell. It is a common street food in the Philippines and also found in Vietnam and Cambodia. The egg contains a partially developed duck embryo along with yolk and broth, and is usually seasoned with salt, vinegar, or chili and eaten warm. The taste is rich and savory with the yolk being creamy and the broth slightly meaty. Balut is also inexpensive, costing about $0.50-$1 per egg from street vendors. It is high in protein and considered a local delicacy, though unusual for many first-time visitors.
Century Egg- China
Next, Century Egg, also called preserved egg or hundred-year egg, is a Chinese delicacy made by preserving duck, chicken, or quail eggs in a mixture of clay, quicklime, salt, and ash for several weeks to months. The process turns the egg white into a dark brown jelly and the yolk into a creamy green-gray paste, giving the egg an unusual appearance. The flavor of the egg is salty, rich, and slightly ammonia-like. These eggs are often served sliced with pickled ginger or used in congee and are affordable, usually $1-$2 each, sold in markets across China and in Chinese grocery stores worldwide.
Escargot- France
Escargot is among the weird foods from around the world that has become a gourmet dish in France. It consists of land snails cooked with garlic, parsley, and butter, then served in their shells. The snails have a mild, earthy flavor and a tender, chewy texture and Escargot is commonly eaten as an appetizer with bread to soak up the garlic butter. It is most popular in French restaurants and can range from $8-$20 for a small plate, depending on the restaurant. While it is unusual to some, it is a traditional French delicacy enjoyed during both casual meals as well as fine dining.
Purple Sweet Potato Ice Cream- Japan, Philippines and Hawaii
Another item on our list of weird foods from around the world is Purple Sweet Potato Ice Cream which is a dessert made from Okinawan purple sweet potatoes, known for their naturally bright violet color. It is very popular in Japan, Philippines and Hawaii and the ice cream has a mildly sweet, nutty flavor and a creamy texture. It is usually made with sweet potato purée, milk, cream, and sugar, sometimes flavored with vanilla and is served in cones, cups, or as part of parfaits. A serving typically costs $3-$5 in shops or markets. The dessert is appreciated for its unique color and gentle flavor, and it pairs well with tropical fruits like mango, coconut, or pineapple.
Surströmming- Sweden
Surströmming is one of the most pungent weird foods from around the world, originating from Sweden. It is Baltic herring that has been fermented in brine for several months, resulting in an extremely strong smell and is traditionally eaten outdoors to avoid the odor lingering indoors. Surströmming is additionally served with thin flatbread, boiled potatoes, onions, and sour cream and the flavor is salty, tangy, plus slightly fishy, with a soft texture. Moreover, cans are usually sold for $8-$12 and are available in Swedish specialty stores. While the smell is challenging for many, it is a traditional dish enjoyed during summer gatherings and festivals.
Frozen Whale Skin & Blubber/Muktuk- Arctic regions
Muktuk is a traditional Arctic food made from the skin and blubber of whales, usually bowhead, beluga, or narwhal and it is commonly eaten by Indigenous communities in Alaska, Canada, and Greenland. Muktuk can be eaten raw, frozen, boiled, or pickled and the skin is chewy, while the blubber is soft and slightly oily, with a mild, fish-like flavor. It is often dipped in soy sauce, mustard, or reindeer oil. It is rich in vitamin C and omega-3 fatty acids, plus is an important traditional food in cold climates. The prices vary widely but can reach around $20-$30 per pound in local Arctic markets.
Ant Eggs- Escamoles, Mexico
Escamoles are one of the most unusual weird foods from around the world, originating from central Mexico. They are the edible larvae and pupae of ants, harvested from the roots of agave plants. Escamoles have a mild, nutty flavor and a texture similar to cottage cheese and are often sautéed with butter, garlic, and spices, then served in tacos, omelets, or alongside rice. The food is traditionally considered a delicacy by the Aztecs, and they remain popular in upscale Mexican restaurants today. Escamoles are also expensive due to the difficulty of harvesting, often costing $35-$50 per pound, and they are available mainly during the spring harvesting season.
Soy Sauce Pickled Eggs- China, Taiwan
Next, Soy Sauce Pickled Eggs are a common snack in China and Taiwan, made by marinating hard-boiled eggs in a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, spices, and sometimes tea. The marinade gives the egg whites a dark brown color and the yolks a salty, slightly sweet taste. They are often eaten as a quick snack, added to noodle soups, or served with rice. The flavor is savory and rich, and the texture is firm yet tender. These eggs are inexpensive, usually $0.50-$1 each from street vendors or convenience stores, and can be stored for several days once marinated.
Witchetty Grub- Australia, Indigenous food
Witchetty Grub is another one of the traditional weird foods from around the world, eaten by Indigenous Australians for thousands of years. It is the larva of several moth species found in the roots of certain native plants. The grub can be eaten raw, with a slightly nutty flavor and soft texture, or cooked in hot ashes, where it becomes crispy on the outside and tender inside. It is high in protein and fat, making it an important survival food. Witchetty grubs are mostly found in rural and outback areas, and while not common in markets, they can cost up to $1-$2 each.
Pickled Herring- Northern Europe
Similarly, Pickled herring is also a traditional dish in Northern Europe, especially in countries like Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands. It is made by curing herring fillets in a brine of vinegar, sugar, onions, and spices. The fish develops a tangy, slightly sweet flavor with a tender texture. Pickled herring is often served with rye bread, boiled potatoes, or sour cream, and is a common appetizer during holidays and celebrations. The dish is mainly valued for its long shelf life and distinctive preserved taste. It is also inexpensive, usually $5-$8 for a jar, and widely available in supermarkets and fish markets.
Blood Sausage/Black Pudding- UK, Spain, Korea
Blood sausage is one of the better-known weird foods from around the world, eaten in many countries under different names, including black pudding in the UK, morcilla in Spain, and sundae in Korea. It is made by cooking animal blood, usually from pigs or cows, with fat, grains, and seasonings until thickened, then stuffed into casings and boiled or fried. The flavor is savory, slightly metallic, and rich, with a firm texture. It is often served sliced with breakfast in the UK, as a tapa in Spain, or in soups in Korea and its prices vary but average around $5-$10 per pound in markets.
Chicken Feet- Various countries like China, Philippines, South Africa
The next weird food on our list is Chicken feet, which are eaten in many countries, including China, the Philippines, and South Africa. They are usually boiled, steamed, or deep-fried and then braised in sauces like soy, black bean, or chili. The texture is gelatinous and tender with a mild chicken flavor that absorbs the seasoning. They are often also served as a dim sum dish, bar snack, or stew ingredient. Additionally, they are inexpensive, usually $2-$4 per pound in markets, and are valued for their collagen content. In many cultures, eating chicken feet is a way to avoid waste and use every part of the animal.
Stinky Tofu- Taiwan, China
Stinky tofu is one of the most famous weird foods from around the world, especially popular in Taiwan and parts of China. It is fermented tofu with a strong, pungent smell that can be noticed from a distance. But despite its smell, it is a well-loved street food for locals and travelers. The tofu is usually deep-fried until golden and crispy outside while the inside stays soft. It is served with pickled vegetables, chili sauce, or soy sauce for added flavor and the taste is salty, slightly sour, and richer than fresh tofu. Its prices usually range from $1-$3 per serving at night markets.
Sea Cucumber- East Asia
Next on our list of weird foods from around the world is Sea cucumber, a marine animal eaten in many East Asian countries, especially China, Japan, and Korea. It is usually dried and rehydrated before cooking in soups, stir-fries, or braised dishes. The texture is soft, slippery, and slightly chewy, while the flavor is mild and takes on the taste of seasonings used. Sea cucumber is valued in traditional Chinese medicine for its health benefits, including high protein and low fat content. It is an expensive ingredient, often costing $50-$100 per pound dried and is commonly served at banquets and special occasions as a symbol of luxury and health.
Lutefisk- Norway
Lutefisk is a traditional Norwegian dish and one of the classic weird foods from around the world. It is made by drying white fish, usually cod, and then soaking it in a lye solution before rinsing and cooking. This process gives the fish a jelly-like texture and a very mild, slightly soapy flavor. The dish is typically served with boiled potatoes, peas, bacon, and mustard sauce and is eaten mostly during the Christmas season in Norway and by Norwegian communities abroad. Its prices range from $8-$15 per pound, depending on preparation and though its texture can be unusual, it still remains a holiday tradition for many.
Jellied Moose Nose- Canada
Next up, Jellied moose nose is a traditional dish in northern parts of Canada, especially among Indigenous and hunting communities. It is made by boiling a moose’s nose until tender, then removing the skin, slicing the meat and cartilage, and setting it in a gelatin broth. The texture is a mix of soft meat and chewy cartilage, with a mild, gamey flavor. It is usually served cold in slices, sometimes with mustard or vinegar. This dish is rarely sold commercially and is usually prepared at home during hunting season, making it more of a cultural specialty than an everyday food.
Nattō- Japan
Nattō is a traditional Japanese food and one of the most distinctive weird foods from around the world. It is made by fermenting soybeans with a particular bacteria, named Bacillus subtilis bacteria, giving it a sticky, stringy texture and a strong, pungent smell. The flavor is salty, nutty, and slightly bitter. Nattō is usually eaten for breakfast with rice, soy sauce, and mustard, sometimes topped with green onions. It is valued for its high protein, vitamin K, and probiotic content. Moreover, a pack of nattō costs about $1-$2 in Japan and is widely sold in supermarkets, though its texture and aroma can be a bit challenging for new tastebuds.
Tiet Cahn/Raw Blood Pudding- Vietnam
Tiet Cahn is a traditional Vietnamese dish made from raw animal blood, usually from ducks or pigs, mixed with fish sauce and herbs. The blood is kept from clotting by adding a small amount of saline liquid, then poured over cooked meat, skin, and crushed peanuts. It is served fresh, often as a starter during special gatherings and the taste is metallic and savory with a soft, jelly-like texture. This dish is also inexpensive, generally costing $1-$3 per serving at local eateries, but it is becoming less common due to health concerns and changing food safety regulations in Vietnam.
Huitlacoche/Corn Smut- Mexico
Last on our list is Huitlacoche which is a Mexican delicacy and one of the lesser-known weird foods from around the world. It is a fungus that grows on corn kernels, turning them grayish-black and giving them a soft, earthy flavor. It is also often called ‘Mexican truffle’, and is harvested while still tender and cooked in quesadillas, soups, and tamales. The taste is rich, slightly smoky, and similar to mushrooms. Plus, it is considered nutritious, containing protein, fiber, and amino acids. Huitlacoche is seasonal and can cost $5-$10 per pound fresh, though it is also sold canned.
Conclusion
In the end, trying weird foods from around the world is more than a quirky travel experience, it’s also an invitation to taste the tradition and innovation in one bite. These weird foods from around the world promise flavours you won’t easily forget and prove that culinary adventures can be just as thrilling as any journey which are surely worth exploring at least once in a lifetime.
