Craziest Foods I’ve Ever Tried (In My Opinion)

I’m the kind of person who will try the "craziest" thing on the menu just to say I tried it. I may not like it (spoiler: most of the time, I don’t), but for me, eating strange foods is part of the adventure. Traveling has a way of daring you to step outside your comfort zone, and I usually cave to the challenge. Over the years, this has led me to some… interesting culinary experiences.

Here are the "craziest" foods I’ve ever tried around the world (in no particular order):

Fermented Shark (Hákarl) – Iceland

This was… an experience. Imagine someone left fish out in the sun for three months, then told you it was a delicacy. The smell alone almost made me tap out. It’s ammonia-heavy, like a cross between cleaning supplies and low tide. I managed a small bite, immediately regretted it. To be transparent, I spit it out. If that’s considered cheating, I’ll gladly live with the consequences.

Kangaroo Burger – Uluru, Australia

Kangaroos are adorable… and also apparently dinner. The burger itself was leaner and gamier than beef. People told me it’s healthier and packed with protein, but all I could think was, I am eating the cute Kangaroos we saw earlier that day. Probably a mental block, but this one wasn’t for me.

Cuy (Guinea Pig) – Peru

This is a traditional dish in Peru, and it’s served whole—teeth, little paws, everything. That alone made it tough to eat. The taste was a mix between rabbit and dark chicken meat, but the texture was greasy and crunchy bones. My parents agreed this was not our favorite dish.

Frog Legs – Paris, France

When in Paris, right? Frog legs are supposedly “just like chicken,” but I disagree. The texture was slimier, like fish crossed with poultry. The garlic butter they were cooked in was delicious, but the moment I remembered what I was chewing, I was done.

Emu Kabob – Sydney, Australia

Australia really likes turning its wildlife into entrées. Emu kabob was dense and oddly metallic-tasting. I didn’t mind the first bite, but let’s just say, I’ll stick to beef skewers from here on out.

Spam – Hawaii, USA

Spam is everywhere in Hawaii—Spam musubi, Spam fried rice, Spam breakfast plates. Out of respect for my tour guides request, I gave it a go. Verdict? Salty. Like… aggressively salty. I get the convenience factor, but it’s not something I’d voluntarily add to my pantry.

Flavored Sardines – Portugal

Portugal has entire shops dedicated to canned sardines in every flavor imaginable, beautifully packaged like souvenirs. I fell for the cute design (I am a marketing major after all) and cracked one open. Big mistake. The smell nearly cleared the room, and the flavor was even stronger. I still don’t know if they’re actually meant to be eaten straight from the can or incorporated into a dish, but either way: never again.

Escargots – Paris, France

I really wanted to like escargots. My mom loves it. They were served in fancy little shells, drenched in garlic butter, and everyone around me was raving. But texture is everything for me, and this was a nonstarter. Slimy, chewy, and just not enjoyable. 10/10 for presentation, 0/10 for my taste buds.

Vegemite – Australia/New Zealand

Every Aussie will tell you that foreigners just “don’t know how to eat Vegemite.” You’re supposed to spread it thinly on toast with butter. I followed instructions to the letter.; Well…I put it on a cracker without butter. The taste is bitter, salty, and yeasty all at once. To me, it felt like eating oil mixed with soy sauce.

Beans on Toast – London, UK

This was the least intimidating but still made the list because… why? I love toast, I hate beans, together it felt extra wrong. Maybe it’s a comfort food you have to grow up with to appreciate. For me, it was just soggy bread topped off with beans.

Would I eat these foods again? Probably not. But each bite came with a story, a cultural lesson, and a memory I’ll never forget. These meals reminded me that part of travel isn’t just seeing new sights, it’s experiencing the world through taste, even when your taste buds aren’t thrilled.

So yes, I’ll try the "craziest" thing on the menu… once.