Exploring the local food scene is a huge part of visiting a new country because you see things that are new. Some plates look so different or are made in such a wild way that they really stand out to you. There are many real street foods that give travelers a massive surprise when they first see them being sold on the sidewalk carts.
Balut In The Philippines
This is a developed duck embryo that is boiled and eaten right out of the shell as a common snack. It looks like a simple egg until it is opened and you can see the tiny bird inside.
Fried Scorpions In China
In the busy streets of China you can find scorpions served on thin wooden skewers at the local food stalls. These little creatures are fried in oil until they are crispy and then the cook adds a lot of salt and some hot spices.
Durian Fruit In Southeast Asia
This huge fruit has sharp spikes on the outside and a very wild scent. People around the world talk about it because the smell is truly intense. Many public places like buses do not allow it inside. You either love the flavor or you don’t.
Fried Tarantulas In Cambodia
Villagers catch these massive spiders and cook them in hot oil for hungry people passing by. They use garlic and special herbs to make the spiders smell really nice. The outside gets very crunchy while the inside stays soft which is a big surprise.
Sannakji Live Octopus In South Korea
For this dish small octopus is quickly chopped into pieces and served raw with sesame oil immediately after cutting. The tentacles are still moving on the plate which is definitely a startling sight when you are waiting for your meal.
Snake Soup In Hong Kong
This is a very traditional warming soup made with different types of snake meat cooked down inside the broth. It has been popular for a very long time and locals often eat it during the cooler winter months for health reasons.
Silkworm Pupae In South Korea
I found that steamed silkworms are a very popular treat found all over the streets of South Korea. They are served in little paper cups by vendors who cook them in big batches. The smell is quite powerful and reaches you from a long distance.
Grasshoppers In Mexico
These little bugs are a famous snack called chapulines. Cooks toss them on hot metal plates with salt and peppers. They add garlic and lime to make them zingy. Locals grab a bunch to eat or use them to make their meals feel more crunchy.
Century Eggs In China
These look like very old black eggs because they are preserved in clay ash and lime for many weeks or months. The color change is dramatic turning the yolk creamy green and the white part brown and jelly like.
Stinky Tofu In Taiwan
This fermented tofu has a extremely pungent odor that can be smelled from quite a distance away down the busy street. Despite the very strong smell many locals absolutely love eating it fried with vegetables on the side.
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