Asia; home to fascinating culture, centuries old history and some downright bizarre foods! A wander through any market, side street or local butchers practically anywhere in Asia soon throws up an intriguing assortment of dishes ready to be sampled. Question is, how brave are you? Read on to whet your appetite.
Durian; you’ll smell it long before you set eyes on it! It’s described as smelling akin to rotting flesh but don’t let that put you off, everyone should try it at least once in their life. The durian fruit is large, about the size and shape of a rugby ball with sharp spiky skin. Street side market sellers prepare and sell it across Southeast Asia, especially in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Don’t expect to find it on your hotel menu (or try to take one in to your hotel) as it’s forbidden. And for a neat (if slightly mean trick) take some durians sweets home with you for your kids or colleagues!
If you’re in Vietnam, Cambodia or Thailand treat yourself to a nice steaming bowl of white ant eggs. They are mostly served in a soup and when you bite down on them, they will literally pop in your mouth and the sour taste
then hits the back of your mouth.
Calling all vegetarians – try the popular dish of smelly tofu (I’m sure it has a much more elegant name in China and Hong Kong!) As the name suggests, this delicacy really stinks. The small is likened to horse manure as it is fermented for a long period. It is one of those foods that you will either love or hate – add a little chilli sauce and you may become a fan.
How about a tasty little fish dish? The Japanese are very fond of fugu aka blowfish. Take your life in your own hands with this dish as the fugu contains dangerous toxins that could literally kill a person within hours. This is one delicacy to enjoy at a restaurant that holds a fugu preparation licence. Served in delicate little slivers, much like sashimi, this dish will also bust your wallet.
Pescatarians will delight at a dish with a difference – fish head curry. Literally as the name suggests the fish head is prepared and served in a spicy curry sauce. This dish has to be admired for creating a meal out of what we in the west would discard as a waste product. There’s a fair amount of meat on the head on the eyes are a delicacy. Try it in Singapore and Malaysia but resist the urge to play with teeth to make faces at your dining companion.
Heading on over to South Korea for our final dish of Beondegi, which is better known as silkworm larvae. Most of the time the larvae are steamed or boiled and lightly seasoned with local herbs and chilli before being served. They have a nutty smell to them and are crunchy on the outside with a weird texture on the inside.
After sampling these delicacies you’ll either be left wanting more or completely disgusted. But then that’s the whole point of travelling and exploring the world – you get to try new things and challenge yourself a little along the way, enjoy.
Julie has traveled to many countries across the world and has a particular passion for Asian culture, history and people, more details. She appreciates independent travel and her most recent travel experience was visiting Vietnam where she relished immersing herself into the local culture and trying the local foods!
Durian - King of Fruits
then hits the back of your mouth.
Calling all vegetarians – try the popular dish of smelly tofu (I’m sure it has a much more elegant name in China and Hong Kong!) As the name suggests, this delicacy really stinks. The small is likened to horse manure as it is fermented for a long period. It is one of those foods that you will either love or hate – add a little chilli sauce and you may become a fan.
Fugu
Heading on over to South Korea for our final dish of Beondegi, which is better known as silkworm larvae. Most of the time the larvae are steamed or boiled and lightly seasoned with local herbs and chilli before being served. They have a nutty smell to them and are crunchy on the outside with a weird texture on the inside.
After sampling these delicacies you’ll either be left wanting more or completely disgusted. But then that’s the whole point of travelling and exploring the world – you get to try new things and challenge yourself a little along the way, enjoy.
About the author
Julie has traveled to many countries across the world and has a particular passion for Asian culture, history and people, more details. She appreciates independent travel and her most recent travel experience was visiting Vietnam where she relished immersing herself into the local culture and trying the local foods!