10 Foods You May Be Forced to Eat While Traveling
1. Black Scorpion on a Stick
Dong Hua Men night market, Beijing, China
“WARNING: MAY CONTAIN TOXIC”…Although scorpions are one of nature’s survivors, a certain number of them end up being sold in food markets in China and Vietnam. In Beijing, the black scorpion is considered the “lobster” of the species, more expensive than its yellow counterpart.
Grilled Scorpions (Shutterstock)
Eating black scorpions (crispy on the outside and soft on the inside) is an unforgettable experience. Whether the spines should be removed first is a matter of personal taste and courage.
2. Fried sparrow
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Fried sparrow is another great example of WYSIWYG cooking school: it’s a sparrow, and it’s fried. simple.
Fried Sparrow (Dreamstime)
These little sparrows are bought by the weight and finished in a bite or two: great as a snack, they don’t make much of a meal. If you’re lucky, you might even get one of these to stand on your plate…
3. Kangaroo tail
Alice Springs, Australia
Kangaroo meat was once eaten only by Aboriginal Australians. As “bush food”, it was an important source of nutrition for Aboriginal people; one animal would be shared by many.
Today it is available all over the world, especially in the ‘exotic meats’ section of farmers markets; for example, in London’s Borough Market, it is served as a burger or steak alongside zebra, ostrich and antelope sell.
A kangaroo with its tail intact (Shutterstock)
In Australia, people can still eat kangaroo tails as part of a true outback experience. A traditional cooking method used by the Arrernte people of central and northern Australia is recreated, which begins by charring the tail to remove the hair. They are then buried in the ground with hot coals, cooked and then dug up. The meat itself is low in fat and cholesterol.
4. Package
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
If bites of feathers, freshly formed bones, and duck embryos are your thing, then wrap Definitely the dish for you. For many Southeast Asians — especially Filipinos — this hard-boiled, fertilized duck egg is a street food standout.
Widely considered an aphrodisiac, wrap Usually eaten straight, perhaps with a pinch of salt. After poking a hole in the top of the egg, take a sip of the liquid before eating the rest.
Balut (Shutterstock)
The preferred age of eggs is a matter of geography. The Filipinos consider them at their best at 17 days old, when the feathers and bones are not yet fully developed, while the Vietnamese prefer a few days older, by which time the embryos can be recognized as ducklings.
5. Pig head
Central Market, Cardiff
While the ears, nose, and cheeks may be the main cut for some, the entire head can be deconstructed into jelly muscles.
Pig’s Head at the Butcher’s Shop (Flickr C/C: Walt Jabsco)
Also known as “head cheese,” fromage de tête (France), and coppa di testa (Italy), it is mostly eaten in Europe, although variations can be found in Asia and the Middle East. Historically, it was made from the head of a wild boar.
6. Grasshopper
Chiapas, Mexico
Salty, lemony and a little leggy, grasshoppers are high on menus in the Mexican state of Chiapas. Grab a handful straight from the market, or cook them in a sauce, or eat them with tacos, and they’re actually harmless.
Mexican Grasshopper (Shutterstock)
You might want to wash them down with tequila, though: they’re dry, and their shanks can get stuck between your teeth.
7. Battered Hot Dogs and Chips
Seoul, Korea
Who needs a plate to eat, or even a bag to serve? In Seoul, South Korea, this meal is the ultimate takeout fast food for local students. It consists of a hot dog sausage coated in dough, then battered with crinkle-cut potato chips.
Battered Hot Dogs (LifesWanderlust: Seoul Street Food)
The only thing left to do is decide whether to use ketchup or mustard. See our beginner’s guide to street food in Seoul.
8. Live Squid
Jagalchi Fish Market, Busan, South Korea
Korean Fish Market (Shutterstock)
Baby squid are eaten alive in Korea, although the risk of the creature’s suckers sticking to its tongue might put you off…
9. Mouse
Vientiane, Laos
Rats are eaten throughout Southeast Asia. They’re also eaten in the northeastern Indian state of Bihar: the Musahar community there — traditionally feeding on voles — now farms the animals commercially.
Mouse Treats (Flickr c/c: istolethetv)
However, before you head straight for your nearest sewer, it might be worth remembering that voles tend to have a much healthier diet than their urban cousins.
10. dog
Hanoi, Vietnam
How much is that puppy in the window? Cannibalism of man’s best friend is generally considered unconscionable in the West. Not so in Vietnam, China and South Korea, where dog meat is popular. For example, in Hanoi, an entire area of the city is dedicated to dog meat restaurants.
**We were going to put a photo here, but we think that’s a step too far. Call us squeamish, but we think your eyes have had enough**
In some Asian communities, eating dog meat at certain times of the lunar month is said to bring good luck. It was also eaten almost exclusively by merchants – as part of a male chiefdom ritual – who believed the meat would make them more manly. Dogs, at least, are incredibly versatile: While in Beijing, I came across a recipe book that listed 167 different ways to cook them.
These delicacies are made from Pooh!what people eat Neil Setchfield (£9.95, Merrel)
Main image: Beijing Food Stall (Shutterstock)