On almost any international trip we’ve certainly encountered some foods that, well, we are just not accustomed to. Even New York and Louisiana are home to two of the top 10 most bizarre travel foods.
- Malaysia – Durian; Durian is considered a delicacy in some parts of Malaysia, and has been known to sell for $50 (U.S.) for one fruit. Many people love the taste of durian, but its powerful aroma is so offensive to some that airplanes, trains, and buses often prohibit the fruit in passenger areas.
- Madrid, Spain – Callos; A casserole made with blood sausage and tripe, which comes from the intestines of various domestic animals. This dish is popular in Taberna de Antonio Sanchez in Madrid, Spain, where it is often served as tapas, small dishes designed for sharing.
- Philippines –Soup No. 5; Soup made from the back and testicles of a cow is eaten at Balaw Balaw in Luzon, Philippines. In the United States, cow testicles are also sometimes referred to as “Rocky Mountain oysters” and can be prepared in a batter and then fried in oil and eaten with hot sauce.
Of course, any trip to the Philippines is not complete with some balut. What strange foods have you found in your travels domestic or abroad? Personally, I like the taste of fried cow intestines (kokarec in Turkey). Any others?
Thanks Becks!
Mmm…Durian! I tried it for the first time with the aide of my Couchsurfing host in Singapore. After all the build up about smell, I was surprised to enjoy it. And I didn’t think it smelled that bad to boot.
Later, I even sought it out on Kho San Road in Bangkok. 🙂
I had a similar experience with intestines once – they’re pretty good once you get over the idea that they’re…well, intestines 🙂
I’m looking forward to eating a lot of unusual foods still on my list next time I’m in SE Asia. I still keep chickening out on a few 😉
I tasted my first durian in Malaysia in the posh Suria KLCC shopping center at the base of the world’s tallest buildings, the Petronas Towers, in downtown Kuala Lumpur. The owner there told me that durians taste like heaven and smell like h*ll.
LOL, love the description 🙂
Anil, if you dare to try it, and change your believe system that “it must be so good that almost all Malaysian love Durian”, and try it again, you will fall in love with it. I agree the smell is so damn terrified to some, but trust me, it taste really good. I have a Spanish friend visited me, and he have never ever want to eat durian everytime he travelled to Asia, I brought him to try one of the best grade Durian, believe me or not, he fell in love with it 🙂
I most definitely will on my next return to SE Asia, it has been a while since I’ve been in that part of the world…
Try it at Singapore if you get a chance to return to SE Asia, coz Singapore has virtually the best of the best, as far as durian is concerned. Reason being, the best grade of Durian from Malaysia has all been exported to Singapore for the better market value. Singaporean are crazy about Durian, and they only want the best of the best 🙂
I will definitely keep that in mind, when hanging around SE Asia Singapore tends to be a city I cross paths through enough times for stopovers; now I can look forward to some durian next time 🙂