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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsWhat "weird" or "gross" (to some people) foods do you enjoy?
This afternoon I had some ahi tuna sashimi (plain raw fish, that is, not sushi-style) from an Asian grocery store. Pretty tasty, though it did give me a brief bit of stomach upset - raw fish and sake aren't the best combo for human digestion, I suppose.
Paulie
(8,462 posts)Nom nom
nomorenomore08
(13,324 posts)LumosMaxima
(585 posts)NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)yuiyoshida
(41,818 posts)Which I liked better..those...or sugar coated squid. (yes they have that in the Asian stores!)
nomorenomore08
(13,324 posts)Locut0s
(6,154 posts)Same for dried squid, sometimes shredded. Crazy salty, but ohm nom.
Locut0s
(6,154 posts)I'm thinking of the Chinese variety at least.
Arcanetrance
(2,670 posts)nomorenomore08
(13,324 posts)Arcanetrance
(2,670 posts)Walk away
(9,494 posts)The Brits make the worst food and call it even worse names.
NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)I haven't had them make a piece or a roll that I didnt like. Scratch that, I had the quail egg sushi and did not like.
I love raw oysters as well, but we can't eat them anymore. I know of two peeps that got very sick this past year from them.
nomorenomore08
(13,324 posts)And it sounds as if the risk of food poisoning is a tad too high to be worth it.
Phentex
(16,330 posts)Mopar151
(9,975 posts)with TAB!
Art_from_Ark
(27,247 posts)Two lousy tastes that are even lousier together!
Mopar151
(9,975 posts)The mere thought was messin' with my Funny Bones
noamnety
(20,234 posts)If I have beef tenderloin from a butcher I trust, I eat some raw when nobody's looking.
nomorenomore08
(13,324 posts)Locut0s
(6,154 posts)noamnety
(20,234 posts)I guess normally it's ground or minced, and with garnishy condiments. But just plain, it's kind of sweet, and with a good cut, almost melts in your mouth.
Locut0s
(6,154 posts)Sushi by definition contains rice while sashimi is just the raw fish. But many types of sushi contain the same raw fish along with the rice.
The stomach upset suggests perhaps that it wasn't handled quite as hygienically as it should have been? Or it wasn't as fresh as it could have been? Otherwise sashimi and sake go together perfectly and shouldn't upset your stomach at all, assuming it's fresh and handled properly.
nomorenomore08
(13,324 posts)And it was a few hours old, I guess. Tasted pretty fresh though.
amerikat
(4,909 posts)mwdem
(4,031 posts)From the best South Jersey diners...lived there 10 years.
JCMach1
(27,553 posts)Locut0s
(6,154 posts)My mother is actually Malaysian Chinese and I lived in Malaysia for a year. Ate all the street food one could wish for. Since then living in Vancouver I've maintained a fairly adventurous diet. I'll admit there are a lot of foreign cuisines I've yet to try though, from a lack of availability and not from a lack of adventurousness. There's not much I've come across that I truly hate. And I enjoy a heck of a lot.
So I guess what I'm trying to say is I don't know what other people would find gross that I enjoy. I enjoy most things. A better question is, what do you find gross, then I'll tell you if I enjoy it
nomorenomore08
(13,324 posts)fontina, gruyere, etc. - those aren't too strong I guess. Also not that fond of feta - tastes okay but the texture is weird to me, especially on pizza.
Probably anything that would be featured on "Bizarre Foods" I would tend to avoid. I'm not a picky eater by any means, but I'm not gonna eat a duck fetus or "bat soup" (fur and all) either.
Locut0s
(6,154 posts)I say yet cause I'd like to try them. I'd like to try some good insect dishes. The key to most cuisines is to try to get it as authentic as possible as often the foreign imports or fakes taste vastly different from the way it was meant to taste. Sadly even in Vancouver I don't know of any bug restaurants. As for stinky cheeses I don't care for the smell but I quite like the taste, and I love feta
The duck fetus is called Balut and is a Philippino specialty. I haven't tried it either but after watching and reading many reports it's supposedly MUCH more a mental issues than a taste one. It supposedly doesn't taste that different from a strong duck soup or something of that nature. I want to try Balut!
Bat soup would worry me a bit more depending on the origins of the bats. Bats in the tropics are now known to carry Ebola and other similar diseases.
Major Nikon
(36,818 posts)They put a lot of spices on the meat so I had no idea what it was. Tasted like chicken. I tried a lot of things and found most of it quite tasty. I did stray away from anything fried in oil and ate things that were either grilled or steamed.
Locut0s
(6,154 posts)Indeed most street food meat world wide will be heavily spiced. It may have all tasted like chicken cause it may all have been chicken, Chinese use chicken a lot!
The things fried in oil aren't likely to make you sick but you are likely to get "montezuma'a revenge" from them as they rarely replace the oil, yeah it's not clean oil
The stuff I would stay away from is any form of shellfish. Fish is usually ok cause it just needs to be seared well. But shellfish is a dangerous one.
Major Nikon
(36,818 posts)Locut0s
(6,154 posts)When was this? How long were you there? What overall opinion did you come away with?
Major Nikon
(36,818 posts)It was through a tour group so I got to see a lot of things in a relatively short period. It was an amazing trip.
I've been to India before and I was expecting something along those lines, but it was much different. We didn't get to see much of the rural areas and I'm sure there are still areas of China which are quite depressed still. From what I saw everyone seemed to be doing pretty well and seemed as happy and content as anywhere and even more so than in the US. I didn't see any homelessness or people living in shanties although I'm sure there are some.
I was there in 2012 during the weeklong fall Chinese vacation period. The tourist traps were crowded, but it was a good time to be there. Here's an old post which contains a few pictures that I think give a good sense of what it was like.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10369726
Locut0s
(6,154 posts)You've captured feeling of the place through the faces of the people. I'm not one to take shots of people myself, I'm more into abstract, landscape, architectural, nature and the like. But I appreciate good shots of all types.
Yeah China has changed IMMENSELY over the years. In fact the pace is so fast that all you have to do is wait a few years and it will seem like a different country again when you return. Poverty is still a big problem throughout China but not at the levels it is in India. The major issues are more the growing wealth gap, and how to support such an immense population while trying to raise the standard of living. China has ironically become the epitome of laissez-faire capitalism. Everyone wants to become wealthy, there are few rules, corruption is everywhere, money flows like water and business deals are being done by the second. New buildings and mega projects sprout up like bamboo shoots. There's a real energy in the air. A feeling that "we are going places". Of course there are some epic challenges they are facing and exactly where they are going is yet to be determined.
I think the last time I was there was in 2011.
Locut0s
(6,154 posts)Durian.
My mother loves the stuff. I would really rather not eat it but I can if I have to. But most "westerners" can't even stomach / handle it at all
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)Locut0s
(6,154 posts)I describe the flavour as fruity creamy custard, with a strong hint of raw onion and garlic. Top it off with the aroma of rotting garbage.
But it's not as bad as people make it out to be.
MicaelS
(8,747 posts)Yum-yum. Either breaded in flour and smothered in gravy or fried in corn meal. I love fried chicken gizzards, chicken hearts or chicken livers, too. But that is about as far as I'll go for organ meats. Never have eaten brains or thymus and don't plan to. I know that brains and eggs is a well loved dish by some, but not me. As far as tripe, or haggis...."Oh, Hell No!"
Locut0s
(6,154 posts)That irony, mineral flavour, when combined with the chalky pasty texture, doesn't do much for me.
Agschmid
(28,749 posts)TeamPooka
(24,207 posts)Don't make that face.
They are delicious.
geardaddy
(24,926 posts)idendoit
(505 posts)Delicious on some locally baked black bread.
Ino
(3,366 posts)chungking34
(51 posts)Other foods I like that are considered to be an acquired taste by others:
Tomally
Kimchi
Natto
Brussel Sprouts
Okra
Marmite/Vegemite
Blue Cheese
And etc.
Walk away
(9,494 posts)In honor of Robbie Burns. My middle dog was rescued on a freezing cold night on the 25th of Jan. and I named him Robbie.
"But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed,
The trembling earth resounds his tread.
Clap in his walie nieve a blade,
He'll make it whissle;
An' legs, an' arms, an' heads will sned,
Like taps o' thrissle."
<a href=".html" target="_blank"><img src="" border="0" alt=" photo face4.jpg"/></a>
nomorenomore08
(13,324 posts)Being of Scottish heritage, I feel like I should try haggis sometime, I just want to be sure I'll be able to ingest it/keep it down.
Walk away
(9,494 posts)it actually comes out like a sausage pate. This way I can leave out the naughty bits!
cyberswede
(26,117 posts)Also, I used to drink milk & diet Pepsi, before I quit drinking soda.
Locut0s
(6,154 posts)Indeed that's rather odd
cyberswede
(26,117 posts)It tastes kind of like a float, but not as sweet. I miss it, now that I don't drink soda.
Generic Brad
(14,272 posts)My food preferences fall outside of the mainstream. Uni (sea urchin). Unagi (eel). Liver. Mabu Tofu. Blue cheese. Beef tongue. Tripe. The other night I had a wonderful meal of rice, miso pork and kim chee.
I suppose I appreciate a wide variety of tastes and textures.
mithnanthy
(1,725 posts)My brother and I, as kids, traveled with our parents, for 2 weeks each summer, around the country. I have NO IDEA how we came up with the concoction of Pancakes with slivers of cold butter and Kero dark syrup (both smashed together into a "paste" and Ketchup on the side, for dipping each piece of Kero soaked pancakes. I'm now 67 years old and I STILL eat pancakes that way, at home or in a restaurant.....yum!
Inkfreak
(1,695 posts)I cannot look at him eating it. It looks do wrong.
Rowdyboy
(22,057 posts)Locut0s
(6,154 posts)I guess the slimy aspect of it could put you off. But the taste is wonderful.
Rowdyboy
(22,057 posts)and it was heavenly. I like it boiled too especially in gumbo and soup but fried is simply awesome.
Prisoner_Number_Six
(15,676 posts)Yummers!
Rowdyboy
(22,057 posts)of buttered toast.
Art_from_Ark
(27,247 posts)it will usually come with ketchup on top
fizzgig
(24,146 posts)Love it, love it, love it. Smoked herring in sour cream and smoked oysters might also put people off, but I think they're damn tasty.
GoneOffShore
(17,337 posts)Sushi
Sea urchins
Raw oysters, clams, mussels
Blue cheese
Blood sausage
Head cheese
Prunes
Anchovies
Radicchio
Belgian endive
Tripe
Andouillete - chitterling sausage
Venison
Quail
Rabbit
Goat
Duck
Goose
Eggplant
Mushrooms
Olives
laundry_queen
(8,646 posts)with honey mixed into the water is the 'weirdest' thing I like.
I *think* it's called Kutya in Ukrainian. We used to eat it at Ukrainian Christmas every year (and sometimes my dad would make it for a treat once in awhile). To me, wheat berries w/honey seem harmless but none of my friends or even my kids ever liked it. Even my mom and brother only 'tolerated' it. Just my dad and I really loved it. Then there's the other Ukrainian foods that may seem strange to other people...Nalysnyky (cottage cheese filled crepes with dill cream sauce) is just one. My Baba used to make these little dumplings rolled in beet leaves that were very yummy too. People are more familiar with other Ukrainian fare like perogies, borscht and cabbage rolls though so I wouldn't count those.
hopemountain
(3,919 posts)a soup made with spicy red chile, garlic, onions, cumin & oregano, hominy, and well prepared tripe (rinsed well, cut into bite size pieces, marinated for a while with lemon juice) - served hot with lemon wedges, cilantro, fresh diced onions, and more oregano. hmmm, hmmm, hmmm, good!
nomorenomore08
(13,324 posts)Go Vols
(5,902 posts)cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)charlie and algernon
(13,447 posts)Spread it on crackers.
We get it every time we go to my Aunt and Uncle's place on Christmas. Though the running joke is that only the blood relatives like it. None of the spouses will eat it. The common phrase heard is "You like it? Then you must be a <last name>."
antiquie
(4,299 posts)We ate this and looked forward greedily to it in my youth. Might be one reason I don't eat meat now.
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)intaglio
(8,170 posts)Mussels, oysters, ox tongue, ox tail, Brains faggots, hogs pudding, steak and kidney pudding, lambs heart ...
Inkfreak
(1,695 posts)every time as I eat shredded wheat for breakfast. I swore to myself as a kid I would eat Golden Grahams everyday when I grew up. Now, I'm just trying to stay regular..
And as far as odd eating habits..I love to dip buttered toast in milk. Not do strange I guess. But it's gotten me odd looks.
Auggie
(31,133 posts)YankeyMCC
(8,401 posts)At least I did, I haven't tried it since I was 10 or 11. It never occurred to me that people might find that weird until one time while traveling to England I described it to a colleague young children, they and their parents were completely appalled. Did I mention this was England
A maybe weird one I do still enjoy from time to time, is Pickle sandwiches, just a pickle, preferable a half sour, wrapped in a slice of bread.
LNM
(1,078 posts)Par-boil them to tenderize them, then fry with garlic. Mmmm.
geardaddy
(24,926 posts)haggis
steak and kidney pie
sashimi
pickled herring
kippers
dried cuttlefish
black and white pudding
chicken feet
duck webs
duck tongues
pickled jellyfish
organ meats of any kind
the pope's nose (chicken or turkey tail)
Blue_In_AK
(46,436 posts)I know a lot of people can't get past the smell.
Chellee
(2,091 posts)I don't know if its weird, but it is very tasty.