Deep fried hairy spiders? Fermented shark? Why some find these foods delicious and others shy away in disgust
For a traveller, immersing oneself in another culture means to really try and walk in another pair of shoes for a little while. A traveller will often attempt to speak a few words in a new language, to listen to the music of a new culture and to taste the food of the locals.
From time to time, however, this attempt to really immerse oneself in another culture can put us way outside our comfort zone – especially if we’re brave enough to try some unusual local delicacies.
Writer and world traveller, Robin Esrock, wrote a piece about some of the strangest foods he has come across (and tasted!) during his travels.
Now, we’ve discovered a new item to add to that list – China’s urine hard boiled eggs.
Preparing and selling 'Virgin boy eggs' is a local spring time tradition in Dongyang in the Zhejiang province in China. The dish is prepared using a very particular ingredient - urine from young boys. Basins and buckets of boys' urine are collected from primary school toilets, which are then used by street vendors to cook hard boiled eggs. It’s a centuries old tradition that the locals claim has health benefits.
"By eating these eggs, we will not have any pain in our waists, legs and joints. Also, you will have more energy when you work," 59-year-old Li Yangzhen told Reuters news.
Whether this dish holds health benefits or not is debatable, even among Chinese medical experts.
But that’s not what we’re discussing today.
My question is this - why is it that one person can look at a dish and think it’s a delicacy while another person experiences a gag reaction at the mere thought of the same dish?
To get an answer, I turned this question to the team of veteran travellers who write for Sympatico.ca Travel.
“Food is all about culture, and what some cultures might consider gross, others might find delicious,” says Robin Esrock, who has travelled to over 50 countries and savoured many cuisines. “For example, I grew up eating pickled herring and chopped liver, which I still find delicious. In Iceland, I tried hakarl (fermented Greenland shark) which made me want to retch my eyeballs out. Locals find that delicious too. As a traveller, you have to keep your mind open, and at least try what's put in front of you. You might be surprised at the taste, if not the concept.”
I can relate to that.
Growing up in Pakistan, my family often enjoyed maghaz - a spicy stew made from cow brain. But for years, I steered clear from rare steak and sashimi because the thought of eating raw meat or fish disgusted me. In a culture where everything (even vegetables!) are cooked until every fibre breaks down, eating raw flesh is as revolting as drinking a pint of blood. And so, in following what was familiar to me and what my ancestors had done for centuries, I avoided raw flesh because the mere thought of it grossed me out.
Living in Toronto and being surrounded by a plethora of cuisines from around the world, I eventually caved and decided to try medium rare steak and sashimi. Neither of them ever made it to my list of favourite foods, but I thought they tasted alright. My family, however, still thinks I’m crazy for even giving it a try.
So what makes people want to eat these “gross” foods? Why do Canadians in the Yukon territory still enjoy vodka flavoured with a human toe, Cambodians their deep fried hairy spiders and the Icelandics their fermented shark
“I think it stems from old traditions and superstitions,” said traveller and avid foodie, Gizelle Lau.
Lau’s family is originally from Hong Kong and they still enjoy local Chinese delicacies from time to time.
“I do, at times, eat thousand-year-old-eggs which aren't actually a thousand years old but are black and have a very strong smell that's not for the faint of heart,” Lau said.
But when I asked if she would try urine hard boiled eggs, she didn’t seem too keen on the idea but admitted “If I lived and grew up in that region or village/city, I most likely would.”
What’s the “grossest” thing she’s eaten?
“Snake soup in Hong Kong” Lau admits with a chuckle. “But it was kind of delicious. It's a pretty classic Chinese food so I figured if generations of Chinese have eaten it, it can't be so bad!”
I posed the same question to travel enthusiast, Chris Myden, who enjoys visiting off-beat destinations.
“I would probably have to go with chicken feet or duck tongue from the famous night markets of Taiwan,” Myden said. “I can't think of any other reason that would compel me to eat either one, other than to say I did it!”
So whether one does it for the flavour, for the thrill or just for the badge of honour, tasting local delicacies is just one of new experiences on seeks while travelling the world. Of course, everyone has their own preference of where they draw the line.
“Fermented shark is rich in uric acid, giving its unique stench, and legendary taste,” is perhaps the strangest thing Esrock tried during his travels. “Since I tried it, I shy away from urine myself, especially if it's human, and especially if little boys are involved. This is one I'd pass.”
What’s the strangest thing you’ve eaten while travelling?
