The Most Shocking Foods From Around The World

'Jibachi Senbei', Japan - Wasp Crackers

Image Source/ SoraNews24I mean... it's what it says on the tin. This Japanese tasty snack is actually a biscuit filled with wasps. It supposedly leaves stings as you eat them, ouch! Can you imagine your disappointment if you mistook these eccentric cookies for your usually chocolate chip?

Cobra Heart, Vietnam - Shotted Whilst The Heart Still Pumps

Image Source/ Arab NewsThis one sounds a bit heavy metal. While still alive, the snake is slit right in front of you and its heart is dumped into a shot glass of its own blood. Then, you shot it back... while the heart still pumps. It seems the Vietnamese really know how to do it.

'Khash', The Middle East - Cow's Feet & Head Broth

Image Source/ TripAdvisorWhat's more flavoursome than the belly? The feet and head apparently. Khash is a delicacy enjoyed across the Middle East and in parts of Eastern Europe. It involves stewing a cow's feet and head in a broth. It was considered a hearty comfort food for bleak winters.

'Hákarl', Iceland - Shark's Rotting Corpse

Image Source/ Fine Dining LoversHákarl is not for the faint-hearted. You'll be surprised to hear that this delicacy is actually a Greenland shark's rotting corpse

. The Icelanders will bury shark carcasses underground and press with stones until all its poisonous fluids have been drained, before hanging out to dry and then serve.

'Casu Marzu', Italy - Maggot Cheese

Image Source/ WikipediaTo put it simply... maggot cheese

. The Sardinian cheese is made of sheep's milk, which is known for containing live insect larvae. While it's some Italian's preference to eat once the maggots are dead, some prefer to eat while still alive, while others (like me) just prefer not to eat it at all.

'Haggis', Scotland - Sheep Heart Liver & Lungs Minced

Image Source/ TasteAtlasThis classic Scottish dish is one for the bucket list. Haggis is actually made from the innards of a sheep by mincing its heart, liver and lungs, before mixing with onions, oatmeal and suet. The tasty concoction is seasoned with salt and spices and is cooked inside the sheep's stomach. Yum!

'Balut', The Philippines - Boiled Duck Embryo

Image Source/ ZME ScienceI can't say I'm overly excited to try this Filipino staple. Made by boiling a live developing duck embryo in its shell, it can be found on many street food markets and is served alongside a nice cold beer. Hopefully that's enough to wash it down with!

Fried Spider, Cambodia - Including Eggs In Abdomen

Image Source/ Rove.meThis tasty snack can be found in the heart of Cambodia, Skuon. The spider is prepped by marinating in MSG, sugar and salt, before frying it off with some garlic. With there being more meat on its carcass, its abdomen lets out a brown sludge made up of innards, eggs and excrement.

'Jing Leed', Thailand - Fried Grasshopper

Image Source/ World Food GuidePut this one on your list for your travels round Thailand. This delicacy can be found in the street markets and is actually a big fried grasshopper seasoned with salt, pepper and chilli. Those who have tried describes its taste as popcorn skin, but with more juice squirting out.

'Shirako', Japan - Cod's Sperm Sac

Image Source/ Lifestyle Asia Hong KongThis one makes me question how they possibly found out this tasted good? Essentially, Shirako is a cod's sperm sac. Yep, you heard that right. Those who've eaten it have described it as soft and creamy, it can be served up either steamed or deep fat fried.

Southern Fried Rattlesnake, USA

Image Source/ Kent RollinsWhile we're on the course of fried arachnids, why not introduce fried reptiles? A staple in Southwestern United States, fried rattlesnakes are prepared by boiling the meat from the bone before dipping in egg and breadcrumbs and deep fat frying. Forget KFC, it's all about KFS.

'Bushmeat', Africa - Giraffe, Lemurs & Apes

Image Source/ Stockholm Resilience CentreA bit of a generic term but covers all types of mammals found in Africa, including giraffe, lemurs and even apes. Given how close apes are to humans, this is definitely a controversial one. It's known that bushmeat is bad for conservation efforts and can spread diseases easily.

Stink Bugs, Africa

Image Source/ VinExpress InternationalHow about this for a palette cleanser! It's been known that Africans use stink bugs to flavour stews or even eat on their own. While they have a satisfying crunch, they're said to have the taste of an apple. The bugs are killed by boiling them alive, where they give off last minute pheromones in defence.

Starfish, China and Japan

Image Source/ A Field Guide to Chinese Street FoodIf you've ever watched Finding Nemo, you might find this one a bit hard to swallow. Despite what you think, you don't actually eat through it's hard and spiny armour. If you break off one of its legs (or arms?) you'll be able to get at the green-coloured meat on its inside.

'Escargots à la Bourguignonne', France - Snails

Image Source/ Caviar StarThere's no surprise to find France's iconic and eccentric meal choice up on this list; snails. Made by cooking the shell-insects in white wine, garlic, butter and parsley, before being served in their very shells. Their consistency is compared to mussels and clams, but a bit more rubbery.

Frog Legs, France

Image Source/ Matador NetworkWhile on our French tangent, we can't miss out a classic Parisian favourite: frog legs. These can be enjoyed in a variety of ways either by being grilled, baked, fried or stewed. While it's texture is like chicken, it has a slight fishy taste and goes great with chilli.

Tuna Eyeballs, Japan

Image Source/ Orange SmileIf you've tried Squid or Octopus, this one should come as a breeze to you. Although it may sound strange in certain parts of the world, Japan find this delicacy to be the norm. Tuna eyeballs aren't the first thing you'd think of when on the hunt for a snack.

Turtle Soup, China and Singapore

Image Source/ WikipediaEnjoyed widely in China and Singapore, this soup is made by using the meat, skin and innards of the soft-shell turtle in East Asia. As you can see, it doesn't look far from a chicken soup, but probably tastes much different. The delicacy can actually be found in certain parts of America but with the snapping turtle.

Tripe, Everywhere - Stomach Lining Of Various Animals

Image Source/ Serious EatsTripe is actually the stomach lining of various animals, with what can only be described as a sponge-like honeycomb texture. Some find that the rubbery nature is not very appetising for them... we can imagine. The food can be found all over the world and can be served up with a variety of sauces.

Chicken Feet - America, South Africa and the Caribbean

Image Source/ IzzyCookingThis delicacy can be found in East Asia, South America, South Africa and the Caribbean. Given its popularity, it might be unfair to deem this one of the most shocking foods, but is probably enough to turn Western stomachs! Chicken feet can be really tasty when properly flavoured, just watch for the bones.

'Escamol', Mexico - Larvae of Ants

Image Source/ The Daily MealHere's a great one from Mexico: Escamol. This dish can also be known as 'insect caviar'. It's made with the edible larvae and pupae of ants, harvested from the tequila or mescal plant. It's taste is described as buttery and nutty, while it's texture is compared to cottage cheese.

Bird’s Nest Soup, Asia

Image Source/ Travel Food AtlasThis Asian treat actually causes loss of life in order to harvest its main ingredient; the nest of the swiftlet bird. Rather than collecting twigs for its bed, the swiftlet bird uses its own gummy saliva to create its nest, which goes hard after being exposed to air.

Century Egg, China - Egg Preserved For Months

Image Source/ Devoir.AsiaThis Chinese tradition sees an egg preserved in a mixture of clay, ash and quicklime for several months (not quite the 100 years its name suggests). During this time, the yolk turns green while the white becomes a dark brown jelly. It supposedly tastes like a boiled egg.

'Fugu', Japan - Pufferfish

Image Source/ Live JapanThis Japanese sashimi dish can be deadly dangerous to eat, so only trust if made by the world's greatest chef. The meal is actually slithers of pufferfish and was made famous in an episode of The Simpsons. Why not try seeing if you can order that next time you're at Wagamamas?

Shark Fin Soup, China

Image Source/ WikipediaThis particular dish is very controversial for the inhumane way that the shark's fins are harvested. Served in China, sharks are caught and have their fins hacked from their still living bodies, before being dumped back into the sea to die. Doesn't sound the most humane way to go about making a broth.

Steak Tartare, France - Raw Ground Beef

Image Source/ DeliciousIf you like your steak well done, turn away now. This French delicacy sees raw ground beef serviced with onions, capers, a raw egg and seasoned with Worcester sauce, with rye bread or fries on the side. This makes those who order their steak blue look weak.

Guinea Pig, Peru

Image Source/ Eat PeruRemember when you're guinea pig died while you were at school? Yeah, you're mum lied to you. It might've actually ended up on your plate. It's typically served roasted as a whole, but can be enjoyed in a casserole too. It's taste is similar to that of a rabbit.

Crocodile, Australia and Africa

Image Source/ YouTubeIf being killed to make a pair of shoes wasn't enough, crocodiles also face being killed for food. Many places across the globe like Australia and Africa enjoy the tastes of crocodile meat and it has been described as a cross between chicken and crab... which kind of makes sense?

Kangaroo, Australia

Image Source/ YouTubeThis one feels illegal... can you believe that Australians actually eat kangaroos? With meat that's high in protein and low in fat, it makes a pretty healthy choice of meat for the Aussies. It can be served as a steak, or made into burgers and sausages.

'Surstromming', Sweden - Baltic Sea Herring In Brine

Image Source/ Routes NorthIf you thought people hated you for eating tuna on a train, try eating this one. Surstromming is a Swedish delight; Baltic Sea herring fermented and tinned in brine. The salt content stops the fish from rotting while in its tin and releases a pungent odour on opening.