If you have seen Delicious Ugly on Netflix, you’ll understand what award-winning chef David Chang means when he says that sometimes, the ugliest food often tastes better.
It’s okay to admit that you’re a little biased when it comes to what your food looks like. From picking up produce at the grocery store to eating dishes at a restaurant, we are more tempted to try beautiful food than something that looks strange. Right?
So, to encourage you to eat more ugly and delicious food, we are exploring some exotic dishes that look strange but taste great. Dig in — it’s time to expand your culinary horizons!
Chicken Feet
It might as well hit the ground running with our first weird food to make the list. The chicken feet look exactly as you would expect and are sure to put a lot of people off.
But, when well cooked, chicken feet they are favored in many places around the world including East Asia, South Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. Do you try them?
Dragon fruit
With the popularity of acai bowls filled with exotic fruits, dragon fruit has become more mainstream in recent years. But that doesn’t mean that its strange exterior doesn’t make people think twice. In addition, its name gives a sense that this fruit is intense!
However, the seed inside is light and yummy, similar to that of a melon. It adds just the right amount of sweetness to fruit salads and smoothie bowls, so go ahead – try it.
Jellyfish
Although jellyfish in the wild are very poisonous, once their tentacles are removed, the Chinese eat them as sweets. Who knew that this strange looking sea creature has a sweet and savory taste.
It’s a must-eat item during your Chinese vacation. But if you prefer to stay at home, ask if they have it Jellyfish jelly on the menu at your local Chinese restaurant. You may be surprised!
Jackfruit
Jackfruit is a large and heavy fruit native to India but can now be found throughout Brazil. Because of the meat that can be sliced, it has become popular among vegans to replace the texture of pulled meat in their many recipes.
Jackfruit it also often comes canned and is worth a try, even if you are not sure about its strange consistency. Fruit as a substitute for meat? Now that’s something you should try!
Black rice
Black rice is found only in Southeast Asia and the northeastern parts of India. In North America, we are used to brown rice or white rice — but black rice? Seems pretty weird to me!
However, black rice it is incredibly popular in other regions and offers a ton of health benefits. It gets its dark color from a high anthocyanin content, which makes it rich in amino acids, iron, zinc and B vitamins.
Lychee
Lychee it is a strange looking fruit that is prickly on the outside with odd, almost transparent flesh. This sweet Japanese treat can sometimes be found in frozen yogurt bars and infused in cocktails. It is similar to jelly and absolutely delicious. Try it next time you see one.
Pulasan
If you love the sweetness of lychee, then pulasan is a fruit you must try. Pulasan is a small fruit that opens. In fact, her name means “to turn” in Malaysian
With her red, scaly skin, pulasan it is sweetened by lychee and will satisfy your dessert craving, no matter how strange it may seem.
Escargots
You’ve probably heard of escargot. But is it too weird for you to try? It originates in Franceescargots are snails usually cooked in a white wine sauce and served with melted butter.
Similar to oysters or clams, escargot it is served in its shell and can be quite chewy. Anyway, many agree, they are also totally delicious.
Buddha’s hand
Buddha’s hand is a Japanese citrus fruit, but it definitely looks weirder than your average lemon.
interestingly, Buddha’s hand do not produce juice or have pulp. But they give a strong and citrusy aroma and are mostly used in perfumes. In food, the hand of Buddha is zested to give a taste boost to your plate. So, although it looks super weird, it will help your meals taste amazing.
Kimchi
Kimchi is a fermented Korean condiment that looks rather strange, but tastes incredible. It combines sour, spicy and umami notes by fermenting vegetables such as cabbage and radish with garlic, ginger and chilli.
If you are not used to Korean food, you can find kimchi which is spicy and sour than you are used to, but it is worth trying. It’s like an Asian sauerkraut, if you will.
Mangosteen
Mangosteen (which is a pretty weird name, too) looks like a small pumpkin. But, it is actually a fruit with a funny white flesh on the inside.
However, there is nothing strange in its sweet and delectable taste. From now on, mangosteen it is not readily available outside Malaysia. So, if you’re in Southeast Asia, be sure to try some while you can.
Kangaroo
Here’s a food that might seem normal, but it can still seem pretty weird once you realize what you’re eating. Below, native Australians have been eating kangaroo meat for centuries, and even today you’ll find kangaroo on many Aussie menus.
It’s extremely lean meat and some say kangaroo hunting is better for the Australian environment than cattle farming, for example. Prepared as a steak, burger, sausage, or jerky, kangaroo meat has a distinct, slightly gamey flavor.
It’s definitely a weird food you should try when you visit Australia.
Durian
Finally, we end with durianwhich not only looks strange with its spiky exterior, but also smells absolutely horrible. That’s right, the smell emanating from this Malaysian fruit is so bad that these fruits have been banned from hotels, restaurants, and public transport.
Anyway, most people love what’s inside its stinky outside. Described as a creamy, custard-like flesh that has an almond flavor, eating durian while traveling in Southeast Asia is sure to be memorable.
Ready to take a food tour of the weirdest meals you can find? Book a trip, store your luggage, and make your way through those exotic restaurants and street markets. a whole new world of delicious ugly food just opened. Go explore it!