5 Unappetizing Dishes from Around the World: Exploring the Culinary Delights You Should Avoid

Food is a universal language that brings people together. It’s a reflection of a country’s history, culture, and traditions. However, not all dishes are created equal. Some are so bizarre and unappetizing that they might make you lose your appetite. Here are five such dishes from around the world that you might want to avoid.

1. Casu Marzu (Italy)

Also known as “rotten cheese,” Casu Marzu is a traditional Sardinian cheese made from sheep’s milk. What makes it unappetizing is the way it’s prepared. The cheese is left outside to allow flies to lay eggs on it. The larvae from these eggs eat through the cheese, causing it to ferment. The result is a soft, creamy cheese that’s eaten with the live maggots still inside. Many find the idea of eating live maggots repulsive, making Casu Marzu one of the most unappetizing dishes in the world.

2. Hakarl (Iceland)

Hakarl is a traditional Icelandic dish made from fermented shark. The shark is buried underground and left to ferment for several months. The result is a strong-smelling, ammonia-rich dish that’s often described as tasting like very strong cheese. Many find the smell and taste of Hakarl off-putting, making it a dish best avoided.

3. Balut (Philippines)

Balut is a fertilized duck egg that’s boiled and eaten in the shell. It’s a popular street food in the Philippines, but many find the sight of the partially developed duck embryo inside the egg unappetizing. The taste is described as a mix of chicken and duck, but it’s the visual aspect of Balut that puts many people off.

4. Surströmming (Sweden)

Surströmming is a type of fermented herring that’s considered a delicacy in Sweden. The fish is fermented in a can for several months, resulting in a strong, pungent smell when the can is opened. The smell is so strong that Surströmming is often eaten outdoors to avoid stinking up the house. The taste is described as sour and salty, but it’s the smell that makes Surströmming one of the most unappetizing dishes in the world.

5. Century Egg (China)

Century Egg, also known as thousand-year egg, is a Chinese delicacy made by preserving duck, chicken, or quail eggs in a mixture of clay, ash, salt, quicklime, and rice hulls for several weeks to several months. The result is a dark, gelatinous egg with a strong smell and taste. Many find the appearance and taste of Century Egg unappetizing, making it a dish best avoided.

While these dishes might seem unappetizing to some, they’re considered delicacies in their respective countries. It’s a reminder that food is subjective, and what’s considered unappetizing to some might be a culinary delight to others.