It’s time to embark on a global gastronomic adventure and discover the most Exotic Foods our diverse planet has to offer. While we might be familiar with delicious breakfasts, the world of cuisine extends far beyond the ordinary. Prepare yourself for a public service announcement and a culinary education that will equip you to explore, and perhaps even savor, these 50 of the most exotic foods from around the globe.
1. Chicken Feet – East Asia, Caribbean, South America, and South Africa
Photo: Yi Chen
Considering its widespread consumption across numerous regions, labeling chicken feet as “weird” might be subjective. Composed primarily of skin, they offer a somewhat gelatinous texture. When seasoned correctly, they can be quite flavorful, though navigating the numerous small bones can be a challenge for some diners.
2. Haggis – Scotland
Photo: David Blaikie
Haggis is a quintessential Scottish dish, made with a sheep’s heart, liver, and lungs, minced and combined with onions, oatmeal, suet, and a blend of salt and spices. This mixture is traditionally cooked inside the animal’s stomach. For those seeking culinary adventures, Haggis presents a truly unique and exotic food experience.
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3. Tripe – Globally Enjoyed
Photo: Ernesto Andrade
Tripe, the stomach lining of various animals, boasts a distinctive sponge-like honeycomb texture. Resembling an unusual form of sea flora, its texture is often described as rubbery, which might not immediately appeal to everyone. It is commonly served with diverse sauces to enhance its flavor or simply with accompaniments like onions, making it an adaptable exotic food across cultures.
4. Khash – Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Turkey
Photo: Kamyar Adl
Khash is a somewhat intense dish consisting of stewed cow’s feet and head. Historically a winter comfort food, it has evolved into a delicacy in many regions. While some might find the concept daunting, those who overcome their initial hesitation might discover a surprisingly rich and flavorful exotic food.
5. Tuna Eyeballs – Japan
Although the idea of consuming tuna eyeballs might seem unusual, their taste is reportedly milder than expected, often compared to squid or octopus. Contrary to assumptions, they don’t possess the off-putting “gunk” one might anticipate when imagining slicing into eyeballs. Tuna eyeballs are considered a relatively tame entry into the world of exotic foods in Japan.
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6. Black Pudding (Blood Sausage) – Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe
Photo: Alpha
Black pudding, or blood sausage, is remarkably widespread across the globe. Despite its key ingredient – congealed blood – many find it delicious. This exotic food involves cooked and congealed blood combined with natural flavorings and thickening agents like suet and breadcrumbs, all encased in sausage skin. The result is a surprisingly savory and rich dish.
7. Spam – United States
Photo: Mike Mozart
Spam, the iconic “mystery meat” from the United States, has achieved global recognition. While its precise composition remains somewhat enigmatic, it is generally understood to be made from chopped pork shoulder meat, ham, and potato starch. Spam is an exotic food in its own right, representing a unique processed meat product with a distinctive flavor and cultural significance.
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8. Hákarl – Iceland
Photo: Richard Toller
Hákarl is a truly daring exotic food from Iceland, consisting of the rotting carcass of a Greenland or basking shark. The shark meat undergoes a complex preparation process: it’s buried underground in a shallow pit and pressed with stones to drain poisonous internal fluids. Following this, it’s hung to dry before being cut into strips and served. With a potent ammonia-rich aroma and a strong fishy taste, Hákarl is not for the faint of heart, famously described by Anthony Bourdain as “the single worst, most disgusting and terrible tasting thing.”
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9. Surströmming – Sweden
Surströmming, a Baltic Sea herring fermented with just enough salt to prevent complete decay, is another Scandinavian exotic food with a powerful reputation. Primarily available tinned in brine, opening a can of Surströmming releases an intensely pungent aroma, often necessitating consumption outdoors. Its distinctive and overpowering smell makes it a truly unique, if challenging, culinary experience.
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10. Century Egg / 100 Year Old Egg / 1000 Year Old Egg – China
Photo: surtr
Despite its dramatic names, the Century Egg, also known as 100 Year Old Egg or 1000 Year Old Egg, is not actually centuries old. This exotic food is preserved for a few months in a mixture of clay, ash, and quicklime. The preservation process transforms the yolk into a dark green or even black and slimy consistency, while the egg white becomes a dark brown translucent jelly. It is said to have a strong sulfur and ammonia smell but a taste similar to a hard-boiled egg – at least initially.
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11. Stinkheads – Alaska, United States
Stinkheads, a regional exotic food from Alaska, United States, are fermented king salmon heads. Prepared by burying the salmon head underground for several weeks, the resulting dish is a pungent, putty-like mush. This is certainly an acquired taste, representing a traditional food with a very strong flavor profile.
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12. Shiokara – Japan
Photo: takaokun
Shiokara is a truly intense Japanese exotic food. It’s made from pieces of meat taken from various sea creatures, served in a brown, viscous paste composed of their own salted and fermented viscera. Adding to its adventurous nature, Shiokara is served raw. This dish is definitely for the most daring culinary explorers.
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13. Jing Leed (Grasshoppers) – Thailand
Jing Leed, or grasshoppers, are a popular exotic food snack in Thailand. These large grasshoppers are seasoned with salt, pepper, and chili, then fried in a wok until crispy. The taste is often compared to hollow popcorn skin, with a slightly juicy burst when bitten into.
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14. Wasp Crackers – Japan
Wasp crackers are a unique and somewhat startling exotic food from Japan. As the name suggests, these are biscuits filled with wasps. Imagine chocolate chip cookies, but with insects replacing the chocolate. The digger wasp used in these crackers is known to have a potent sting, adding an extra element of surprise to this unusual snack.
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15. Fried Spider – Cambodia
Photo: saritravels
Fried spider is a regional delicacy and exotic food popular in Skuon, Cambodia. It is prepared by marinating a tarantula in MSG, sugar, and salt, then frying it in garlic. While it reportedly offers more meat than a grasshopper, it also contains a brown sludge in the abdomen, consisting of innards, eggs, and excrement – a detail that might deter some.
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16. Witchetty Grub – Australia
Witchetty grub is part of the Australian ‘bushmeat’ family and a traditional exotic food of Indigenous Australians in the desert. This grub can be eaten raw, with a flavor resembling almonds, or lightly cooked, where its skin crisps like roast chicken and the inside becomes similar to scrambled egg in texture and appearance.
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17. Escamol – Mexico
Escamol, also known as ‘insect caviar’, is a Mexican exotic food made from the edible larvae and pupae of ants, harvested from tequila or mescal plants. Considered a delicacy, it is said to have a consistency similar to cottage cheese and a buttery, nutty flavor.
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18. Beondegi – South Korea
Photo: istolethetv
Beondegi, or silkworm pupae, are a popular exotic food snack throughout South Korea. These pupae are simply boiled or steamed and lightly seasoned, often sold by street vendors. Their taste is often described as woody, a unique flavor profile for adventurous eaters.
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19. Escargots à la Bourguignonne – France
Photo: eatingeast
Escargots à la Bourguignonne, snails cooked in a sauce of white wine, garlic, butter, and parsley, served in their shells, are a classic French exotic food. They are said to have a consistency similar to mussels or clams, though some find them more rubbery. The rich garlic butter sauce is a key component of this dish.
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20. Sago Delight – Southeast Asia
Edible sago grubs, often referred to as “Sago Delight,” are a Southeast Asian exotic food. They are described as creamy when raw and meaty, like bacon, when cooked. Typically seasoned and flavored similarly to other Southeast Asian insect dishes like Jing Leed, they are often served together.
21. Stink Bugs – Africa
Stink bugs, an African exotic food, are used to flavor stews or eaten on their own. They are said to have a crunchy texture and a taste somewhat reminiscent of apple. When boiled in preparation, they release defensive pheromones, which, while irritating to the eyes, are ultimately harmless, similar to the compounds released when cutting onions.
22. Mopane Worms – Southern Africa
Mopane worms are a significant exotic food in Southern Africa. These large, juicy worms are considered full of meat. Traditionally dried or smoked for preservation, they are typically rehydrated and cooked with tomato or chili sauce for added flavor. Some describe their taste as similar to honey-barbecued chicken.
23. Tequila Worm – Mexico
The Tequila Worm, more accurately found in mescal (tequila’s cousin), is an exotic food novelty from Mexico. Despite legends suggesting hallucinogenic properties, these are largely nonexistent. The worm is primarily a marketing gimmick, rather than a significant flavor component of the spirit.
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24. Marmite (or Vegemite) – UK, New Zealand & Australia
Marmite (UK) and Vegemite (Australia/New Zealand) are exotic food spreads made from yeast extract, a byproduct of beer brewing. Essentially the slurry from the bottom of beer barrels, these sticky brown pastes have a concentrated, salty flavor. Typically spread on toast or eaten with cheese, they are famously divisive: people either “love it or hate it.”
25. Pickled Egg – UK
Pickled eggs are a straightforward yet exotic food from the UK. Hard-boiled eggs are left to cool and then submerged in a jar of vinegar. The sour liquid permeates the egg, resulting in a distinctly sour flavor throughout, even reaching the powdery yolk at the center.
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26. Bird’s Nest Soup – Southeast Asia
Bird’s Nest Soup is a highly prized Asian exotic food delicacy. Made from the nest of the swiftlet bird, these nests are constructed from the bird’s own gummy saliva, which hardens upon air exposure. Harvesting these nests, often built on high cliff faces, is dangerous, leading to fatalities each year. The soup itself is said to have a rubbery texture and mild flavor.
27. Fugu – Japan
Fugu, or pufferfish, is a notorious Japanese exotic food known for its potential lethality. If not prepared correctly, fugu can be deadly due to its tetrodotoxin content. Only chefs rigorously trained and licensed are permitted to prepare and serve fugu sashimi. Despite the risks, it is considered a delicacy with a unique, subtle flavor.
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28. Steak Tartare – France
Steak tartare, raw ground beef served with onions, capers, raw egg, and seasonings, is a French exotic food that might seem unusual to some. While French waiters might caution foreigners about it, it’s become relatively well-known globally. Made with high-quality raw beef, it’s seasoned with Worcestershire sauce and other condiments and typically served with rye bread or fries.
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29. Cherry Blossom Meat – Japan
Cherry blossom meat, or raw horse meat, is a Japanese exotic food. In light of past European horsemeat scandals, it might raise eyebrows for some. Served either on its own or as part of sushi, cherry blossom meat is said to be low in calories and fat. While culturally accepted in some regions, it remains an uncommon choice for many.
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30. Frog Legs – France, Southeast Asia, and Other Regions
Frog legs, the hind legs of frogs, are an exotic food enjoyed in France, Southeast Asia, and other parts of the world. Prepared grilled, baked, fried, or stewed, they are said to have a texture similar to chicken with a subtle fishy taste. They can be prepared in various ways, such as with chili in Cantonese cuisine or roasted with garlic and cream sauce.
31. Kangaroo – Australia
Kangaroo meat is a historically significant exotic food in Australia, traditionally a staple for Indigenous Australians. High in protein and low in fat, it’s considered a healthy choice. With a gamey flavor, it’s served in various forms, from steaks to sausages and burgers. Ecologically, some argue that farming kangaroos is more sustainable for Australian rangelands than cattle farming.
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32. Crocodile – Australia, Southeast Asia, and Africa
Crocodile meat, an exotic food found in Australia, Southeast Asia, and Africa, is considered a delicacy in many regions. Reportedly tasting like a cross between chicken and crab, crocodile meat is often farmed for consumption, making it a more sustainable option than wild harvesting, although ethical concerns remain.
33. Southern Fried Rattlesnake – United States
Southern fried rattlesnake is an exotic food popular in the Southwestern United States. Said to taste somewhat like frog legs, preparation involves boiling the meat off the bones, dipping it in egg, coating it in seasoned flour and breadcrumbs, and deep-frying it.
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34. Guinea Pig – South America
Guinea pig, consumed in South America, is an exotic food that might provoke mixed reactions. Typically served whole and roasted or in casseroles, guinea pig is said to have a flavor similar to rabbit. While some might find it ethically questionable, others view it as a traditional and acceptable food source.
35. Turtle Soup – China, Singapore, and United States
Turtle soup is an exotic food delicacy in China, Singapore, and the United States. Made using the meat, skin, and innards of soft-shell turtles in East Asia or snapping turtles in the US, it’s considered a Chinese delicacy. However, ethical concerns surrounding turtle slaughter have led some to abstain from this dish.
36. Starfish – China
Starfish, an exotic food in China, are served dry and covered in a hard, spiny exterior. Consuming starfish requires breaking off a leg and peeling open the skin to access the green-colored meat inside. The texture and flavor are not widely described, making it a truly adventurous culinary experience.
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37. Rocky Mountain Oysters – United States
Rocky Mountain oysters, despite the name, are not oysters at all. This exotic food from the United States is actually deep-fried bull testicles, battered in flour, pepper, and salt. Often a byproduct of cattle breeding, they are presented as a dish that utilizes otherwise discarded animal parts.
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38. Balut – Philippines
Balut, a developing duck embryo boiled alive in its shell, is a confronting exotic food from the Philippines. Considered a common street food and often served with beers, balut presents a visually and conceptually challenging culinary experience for many.
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39. Dragon in the Flame of Desire – China
Dragon in the Flame of Desire is an elaborately named exotic food from China, which simplifies to roasted yak penis. Served at the Guolizhuang Restaurant in Beijing, it is presented on a large platter with elaborate garnishes, representing a truly unique and unusual culinary offering.
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40. Shirako – Japan
Shirako, another euphemistically named exotic food, is cod sperm sac from Japan. Described as soft and creamy, it can be served steamed or deep-fried. This dish represents another example of utilizing animal parts that might be considered unconventional in other cuisines.
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41. Cobra Heart – Vietnam
Cobra heart is an extreme and ethically questionable exotic food from Vietnam. The preparation involves killing a cobra in front of the diner and serving its still-beating heart in a shot glass of its own blood. This dish is not for the faint of heart, representing a very visceral and controversial culinary practice.
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42. Casu Marzu – Italy
Casu Marzu, also known as “maggot cheese,” is a Sardinian exotic food. This sheep’s milk cheese is famous for containing live insect larvae. These maggots are said to enhance the flavor, but they can jump when disturbed, posing a slight risk to the diner. Some consume it with live maggots, while others attempt to remove or kill them beforehand.
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43. Ying-Yang Fish – China
Ying-Yang Fish is an exotic food from China characterized by extreme cruelty. It involves deep-frying a fish while keeping it alive. Videos show diners poking the fish’s face with chopsticks as it struggles to breathe, a practice widely condemned for its inhumane treatment of animals.
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44. Sannakji – South Korea
Sannakji, a South Korean exotic food, is another dish raising significant ethical concerns. It involves hacking the tentacles off a baby octopus and serving them immediately, while still wriggling. There is a risk of choking as the still-active suckers on the tentacles can adhere to the diner’s throat.
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45. Drunken Shrimp – China
Drunken shrimp, a Chinese exotic food, involves serving shrimp both living and intoxicated. Shrimp are stunned in strong liquor before being served. Diners typically bite off the head before consuming the body. Beyond ethical concerns, there is a risk of paragonimiasis, a parasitic infection, associated with consuming raw or undercooked crustaceans.
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46. Shark Fin Soup – China
Shark fin soup, while considered a delicacy in some parts of China, is a highly controversial exotic food. The barbaric practice of shark finning, where fins are hacked off living sharks before they are thrown back into the sea, makes this dish ethically unacceptable for many. The perceived benefits of shark fin soup are widely outweighed by the severe environmental and animal welfare concerns.
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47. Bushmeat – Africa
Bushmeat is a broad category of exotic food in Africa, encompassing the meat of various wild animals, including giraffe, lemurs, and even apes. The consumption of bushmeat raises concerns about conservation, potential disease transmission (including Ebola), and the ethical implications of consuming endangered or protected species.
48. Whale – Japan, United States, Canada, Greenland, Norway, Iceland
Whale meat consumption, practiced in countries like Japan, the United States, Canada, Greenland, Norway, and Iceland, remains a contentious exotic food. Despite widespread condemnation from conservationists and animal rights advocates, whale meat consumption persists. Beyond ethical concerns, whale meat can contain high levels of mercury and other toxins, posing health risks.
49. Dog – Korea, China, and Vietnam
Dog meat consumption in Korea, China, and Vietnam is a highly sensitive and exotic food topic, particularly for Western audiences. For many who view dogs as companion animals, the idea of consuming dog meat is deeply disturbing. While dog meat consumption is declining in some regions, it remains a significant issue, often associated with animal cruelty and the theft of pets.
50. Cat – East Asia
Cat meat consumption, similar to dog meat, is an exotic food found in parts of East Asia, including China and Korea. Like dog meat, it is ethically problematic for many due to the common perception of cats as pets. Cat meat is not widely available in mainstream restaurants and remains a controversial and uncommon culinary choice.
Have you been brave enough to try any of these exotic foods? Which unusual dishes intrigue you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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