If you’re like us, you love sampling the crazy foods the world has to offer. While restaurants and cafes are great, street food is considered the staple of cultural travelling!
Here are some of the weirdest vendor delicacies you can encounter:
Cup of Cow Urine – India
If you’re keen to boost your body’s healing properties, look no further! Hindus believe that a glass of cow urine has many healing benefits and can even prevent cancer. In India, this tasty bev is sold on the street along with other drinks like milk and yoghurt.
Giant Spiders On a Stick – Cambodia
Perhaps one of the most well known yet weirdest (and horrifying) street foods around the world are the giant, deep fried tarantulas of Cambodia. They’re considered a must-try for all travellers, legs, body and all! Not in Cambodia? Don’t fear. These spider sticks can also be found in China, Thailand and the Philippines.
Octopus Balls – Japan
Takoyaki is a favourite on the streets Osaka, and almost everywhere you turn, you’re guaranteed to come across an Octopus Ball stand! This delicacy involves using chopsticks to create small balls of batter than are filled with octopus bits and topped with sauce and fish flakes. Soft and delicious, we recommend you try them with a beer!
Dragon Beard Candy – USA
No dragons were harmed in the making of this candy. Instead, sweet-toothed connoisseurs spin sugar into silk-like strands and wrap them into balls around nuts to create what’s called ‘dragon beard candy.’ You can find these stands around the USA and Canada, as well as in Hong Kong and other parts of Asia, where it originated.
Fried Herring Sandwich – Sweden
It’s Stockholm’s very own answer to the Aussie fish burger. This street food is known as knäckis and consists of fried herring, cucumbers and onions on bread. We promise it’s more delicious than it sounds!
Sea Horses On a Stick – China
They might looks cute when hanging about in the ocean (or an aquarium), but would you really eat a fried seahorse on a stick? If you’re ever in Beijing, these delicacies are a must at the night markets. Apparently they’re more expensive than the other ‘on a sticks’ you can buy, but they’re well worth it and taste a lot like salty fish!
Poutine – Canada
Ready for a heart attack? Having originally come out of Quebec, poutine is a Canadian street food specialty and it’s a sure winner if you love potato fries topped with gravy and cheese curds. This street dish is so popular that it’s incredibly easy to come by in both Canada and the US. Some venues in Australia even have it on their menus!
Grasshopper Tacos – Mexico
It’s not just Asia that loves grasshoppers! In Mexico, grasshoppers or “chapulines” are a common delicacy on the street, particularly in the region of Oaxaca. Usually served in soft tacos, these snacks are seasoned with spices and agave worm extract and are renowned for the protein and low fat benefits. Mmm, crunchy!
Currywurst – Germany
You wouldn’t think bratwurst and curry really go together, but the Germans will surely change all that. On the streets of Berlin and other towns in Germany, Currywurst carts are common and you can pick up a saucy sausage covered in curry powder and served with chips and mayo. Weirdly tasty.
Beet Fries – USA
Vegetarians and vegans will love this street food! Head to Austin, Texas, and you’ll find the East Side King food truck serving yummy beet fries. They look like cubes of meat, but these squared up beetroots are seasoned, fire roasted and served with sweet mayo.
Duck Embryo – Vietnam
Weird at best, these embryo duck eggs – or Hot Vit Lon – are much loved food in Vietnam and locals believe the embryo has excellent nutritious value. Despite the health benefits, though, it 05/take a little to get past eating a boiled duck embryo still in its shell! You can also find this street food in other South East Asian countries, especially in the Philippines where it’s called ‘balut’.