Top 10 Most Bizarre Foods in the World

1. Starfish

   

   Starfish, or sea stars, are star-shaped echinoderms belonging to the class Asteroidea. Common usage frequently includes ophiuroids under this name, although they are more accurately called brittle stars or "basket stars." Starfish are noted for their radial symmetry, diverse species, and ability to regenerate... read more

   Places eaten: Mainly Asian countries including China, Indonesia, Micronesia, and Japan.

   The meat is mostly eaten, but the other parts of the starfish are known to be unsuitable or even toxic. The taste is rather salty with a bitter undertone and feels quite tender in the mouth.

2. Bats

   

   Bats are mammals of the order Chiroptera. With their forelimbs adapted as wings, they are the only mammals capable of true and sustained flight. Their long, spread-out digits are covered by a thin membrane called the patagium, which gives them remarkable aerial maneuverability and allows many species... read more

   Places eaten: Vietnam, China, Philippines, Indonesia, and some West African/Pacific countries

   It's possible that they have been hunted as food since prehistoric times, mostly in the Pacific regions. Fruit bats usually have a taste reminiscent of chicken. However, consuming bats can come with risks, such as neurological diseases. It's speculated that both Ebola viruses and coronaviruses may have originated from these animals.

3. Century Eggs

   

   Also known as hundred-year-eggs, although they are sometimes called thousand-year-eggs. Preserved with a mixture of clay, wood ash, and salt, century eggs are usually eaten in China. Contrary to the belief that these eggs are rotten due to their age, they are perfectly safe to eat because they are long preserved. They contain a unique rich texture, but it is recommended to pair them with other foods and condiments like soy sauce. It's an acquired taste for many.

   Despite the name, century eggs aren't actually a hundred years old. They're eggs preserved for a few weeks up to a month using a saline solution.

4. Escargot

   

   Places eaten: France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, African countries such as Morocco, Albania, and most Asian (especially Southeast Asian countries) such as the Philippines, and Indonesia.

   Escargot is known to have a considerable amount of protein when eaten. In France, they are usually served with butter, parsley, and garlic, which makes the taste more similar to clams or depends on the sauce you use.

   It's French for snail.

5. Fried Rattlesnake

   

   Apparently, it tastes like chicken, much like frog legs.

6. Beondegi

   

   Many people find this food disgusting at first glance, but it is a popular street food in South Korea consisting of silkworm pupae. Beondegi literally translates to "pupa" in English. If you've been in South Korea, there's a good chance you've encountered someone offering you this food. It has a nutty texture and is usually either steamed or boiled with soy sauce. Delicious? Probably not.

   Also known as deep-fried silkworm pupae.

7. Steak Tartare

   

   Steak Tartare is usually made of raw chunks of sliced beef served with capers, onions, and other seasonings, as the picture suggests. Since the meat is served raw, it is kept cold. Due to the emphasis on safety in restaurants that serve this food, the risk associated with eating raw meat can be quite low.

   Steak Tartare is cow meat eaten in its raw form.

8. Muktuk

   

   Muktuk might look like watermelon slices but it's actually blubber from whales (particularly the bowhead whale). It is a traditional food in the Arctic and can be eaten raw or cooked. It is usually chewy and salty and is especially popular among the Inuit. It is known to contain a rich source of Vitamin C.

   Muktuk is straight-up whale skin and blubber. It is eaten raw.

9. Shark Fin Soup

   

   Places eaten: China, Taiwan, and parts of Southeast Asia

   A traditional yet luxurious food originating in China, commonly served at weddings and other festivities. The shark fin itself is tasteless but is revered for its chewy texture. Despite many claims about shark fins enhancing the body in various ways - such as qi energy, prolonging human life, or even preventing cancer or heart disease - shark fins have no nutritional benefits. Contrary to common beliefs, shark fins can contain high concentrations of mercury and should be consumed in moderation.

10. Turtle Soup

    

    Places eaten: Various SEA countries, China, England (formerly), and the United States.

    Commonly seen as a delicacy, turtle soup might be surprising to some as it is also eaten in the US, although it is not common. In some US restaurants, the common snapping turtle is served. Turtle soup was once popular in England but was quickly abandoned due to concerns over overfishing.

The Contenders

11. Crocodile