6 Weird Street Foods You Have Never Heard Of!

By Marie-Antoinette Issa.

According to research by the Food and Agriculture Organisation, approximately 2.5 billion people consume street foods on a daily basis. In fact, whether sold from food booths, carts or trucks, almost every city in the world offers its take on fast, ready-to-eat meals, snacks and beverages.

The kind that allows natives and nomads alike the opportunity to enjoy a tasty (and affordable) insight into the local culture - in a way that a fancy dine-in destination just could not deliver.

While pizza and pretzels may be among the most popular portable meals in America, the world is also home to a number of other edible offerings best enjoyed on the go. Here are six weird street foods you may have never heard of:

Balut is a popular street food in the Philippines that is definitely not for the faint of heart! This delicacy consists of a fertilised duck embryo that is boiled and eaten directly from the shell. While it may sound intimidating to some, balut is beloved by many for its rich flavour and unique texture.

 

Honourable mention: in a similar vein, those headed to China may seek out century eggs. A popular street food that typically involves coating duck, chicken or quail eggs in a mixture of clay, ash, salt, quicklime and rice hulls.

They are then aged for several months in an alkaline environment that causes the eggs' proteins and fats to undergo chemical changes, resulting in a unique taste and texture. 

 

Travellers brave enough to venture beyond tostadas and tamales are encouraged to experience Mexican escamoles. Also known as ‘insect caviar’, this dish features the edible larvae of ants harvested from the roots of agave plants in Mexico.

 

These tiny white eggs have mild nuttiness and a creamy texture, making them a delicacy in Mexican cuisine. While escamoles can be enjoyed in various culinary preparations, they are often showcased in tacos, where their delicate flavour shines amidst the vibrant medley of fresh herbs, tangy salsas and warm tortillas.

Alternatively, escamoles can be savoured on their own as a decadent snack, alongside a cold cerveza. 

Fried tarantulas are a Cambodian delicacy that might startle those with arachnophobia! However, they have become a celebrated part of the country's culinary landscape - these giant spiders, which can grow to impressive sizes, are seasoned with a blend of salt, sugar and garlic, then carefully deep-fried until they achieve a satisfyingly crispy texture.

 

Despite their intimidating appearance, those brave enough to try them often find that fried tarantulas boast a surprisingly delicate flavour reminiscent of seafood, particularly crab or prawns.

This unexpected resemblance has made them a favourite snack among adventurous food enthusiasts seeking unique and unforgettable culinary experiences in ‘The Kingdom of Wonder’.

As globetrotters meander through the labyrinth of streets of Istanbul’s bustling bazaars, or gather at the famed food stalls of Ankara and beyond, the sight and aroma of kokorec grilling over open flames serves as an irresistible invitation to sample one of Turkey’s most iconic dishes.

 

Kokorec, a beloved street food delicacy, embodies the rich culinary heritage of the country, that goes beyond basic gozleme. This savoury dish features seasoned lamb intestines, meticulously skewered and grilled to achieve a perfect balance of tastes and textures. The grilling process imbues the kokorec with a tantalising smokiness while allowing the spices to infuse the meat, resulting in a dish that is both aromatic and delicious.

Traditionally, kokorec is served as a filling sandwich, where the tender grilled meat is nestled between slices of freshly baked bread and adorned with a vibrant array of fresh herbs and spices. This combination creates a culinary concoction that truly tantalises the taste buds and leaves a lasting impression on those who indulge.

Scorpion skewers are a popular street food in China, particularly in cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. In these urban areas, locals and adventurous tourists alike are drawn to street vendors who offer skewers of various exotic meats, including scorpions (alongside other insects or arachnids).

 

These crunchy critters are typically deep-fried or grilled and seasoned with spices for flavour to create a unique culinary experience. Although many may initially experiment with this daunting dish as a mere novelty, most find it surprisingly tasty, with a flavour reminiscent of crispy chips.

 

While The Big Apple’s famed food trucks may have put mini meals such as bagels, burritos and burgers on the street food map, brain sandwich is a surprisingly popular offering in some parts of the United States.

Originating in the Midwest, (particularly popular in Indiana and Missouri), a fried brain sandwich consists of slices of beef brain coated in batter and deep-fried until crispy. Served on a bun with condiments like mustard and pickles, this unique dish has a rich, creamy texture and a savoury flavour that appeals to those with brave hearts and open minds!