21 Unusual, and Somewhat Gross, Dishes People Actually Enjoy Eating Around the World

A 28-year-old woman refused to back down after her friends dared her to try “Shirako,” the Japanese dish that comes with a name as bold as the bite. She thought it would be a quick win, like any other weird food trend, until the night kept getting stranger.

It started with a casual hangout, then turned into a full-on world tour of gross-to-some, delicious-to-others meals. One friend swore Soup Number Five in the Philippines tastes “hearty,” another kept pushing Wasp Crackers like they were a rare trophy, and someone else brought up Deep Fried Tarantula, complete with the egg and feces filling. By the time they got to Cherry Blossom Meat and Stargazy Pie, the group was arguing over what “enjoying” even means.

That’s when the real problem hit, because the table was divided, and nobody wanted to be the one who chickened out first.

1. Shirako

This Japanese delicacy consists of the creamy sperm sacs of male fish.

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2. Soup Number Five

A hearty broth from the Philippines, enriched with the distinctive flavors of bull genitalia.

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3. Wasp Crackers

This daring snack is a rare find, only awarded to those willing to journey 100 miles from Tokyo to the esteemed city of Omachi.

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4. Witchetty Grub

A down-under Australian delicacy said to offer a taste similar to scrambled eggs with a hint of nuttiness—whether raw or cooked.

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5. Stargazy Pie

Hailing from Cornwall, England, this pie is a nod to the brave fishermen who faced stormy seas. It features fish heads poking through the pie crust.

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6. Jellied Moose Nose

In this Canadian concoction, the moose's nose is simmered with onions, garlic, spices, and vinegar to create a dish that's truly unique.

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7. Kangaroo Meat

Kangaroo meat is a staple in Australia—no surprise there, if we’re being honest. This delicacy’s tantalizing taste is said to mirror a blend of venison and buffalo meat.

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8. Nsenene

In Uganda, these long-horned grasshoppers are savored fried, dried, or boiled, and often accompanied by onions.

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9. Deep Fried Tarantula

This crispy Cambodian treat is said to rival spare ribs in flavor. The icing on the cake? A ‘surprise’ filling consisting of the spider’s egg and feces—all deep-fried and ready to devour.

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10. Cherry Blossom Meat

Japan celebrates cherry blossom season with slices of raw horse meat, hence the name.

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It’s like the family feud over a sibling’s super spicy dish, where dinner turns into drama fast.

11. Haggis

This Scottish feast is a savory mix of sheep entrails, onions, oatmeal, and spices—all encased in a sheep’s stomach.

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12. Stink Bug

In Africa, these bugs can be enjoyed raw or cooked. They’re noted for their apple taste and calming effect.

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13. Dragonfly

Savored in both Indonesia and China, these insects are typically served boiled or fried. They boast a flavor that aficionados liken to soft-shell crab.

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14. Akutaq (Eskimo Ice Cream)

An unconventional Alaskan dessert made with reindeer fat, seal oil, snow, berries, and ground fish.

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15. Lutefisk

A Norwegian delicacy where aged whitefish is fermented in lye.

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16. Jumiles

In Mexico, these stink bugs add an extra zesty kick to salsas.

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17. Khash

Enjoyed across Eastern Europe, Turkey, and the Middle East, this hearty soup is brewed with cow feet for a rich, meaty flavor.

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18. Bird’s Nest Soup

A luxurious soup made from a unique ingredient—bird saliva.

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19. Casu Marzu

This Italian cheese is only deemed ready to devour once it begins teeming with thousands of live and apparently ‘tasty’ maggots.

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20. Starfish

A Chinese specialty with a unique texture rumored to land somewhere between toothpaste and finely minced beef.

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21. Beondegi

A popular Korean snack of silkworm pupae, enjoyed steamed or boiled.

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Right after she tried Shirako, the same friends started tossing around Stargazy Pie like it was a reward for bravery, not a test of endurance.

Then the talk jumped to Soup Number Five and Jellied Moose Nose, and suddenly the “just taste it” dare felt way more personal than anyone planned.

When Wasp Crackers came up, the group started measuring distances like 100 miles from Tokyo was somehow the same as “being chill.”

Finally, after Deep Fried Tarantula and Cherry Blossom Meat, the argument about who actually enjoyed what got loud enough to kill the mood for the whole meal.

Whew! What an exhilarating voyage that was. Judging by the many ‘intriguing’ delicacies we encountered, one thing is for sure: when it comes to food, the only rule is that there are no rules. 

So, tell us, brave reader, which of these extraordinary meals are you daring enough to try? Let us know in the comments below.

The family dinner did not end well, because half the table loved the weird stuff and the other half couldn’t stop judging the choices.

Wondering whether to confess a meaty secret, read what happened in this family recipe dilemma.