10 Wacky Street Foods You Won’t Believe People Actually Eat
One of my favorite things about traveling is wandering through local street markets with a growling stomach and an open mind.
And believe me, I’ve seen and tasted things that would make most people gag — or at least hesitate real hard.
The first time I bit into something that looked like a giant fried spider, I questioned all my life choices. But by the second bite, I weirdly enjoyed it.
That’s the thing with street food. Sometimes it’s loud and sizzling. Sometimes it smells like your socks after a 10-hour hike. But it’s always an experience.
This article isn’t about the safe, Instagram-friendly stuff like tacos or crepes. I’m diving deep into the wildest, weirdest, and most unforgettable street eats from around the world.
If you’ve ever wondered what people are actually eating in the back alleys of Bangkok or the night markets of Lagos, this is for you.
Image credit Flickr
1. Cambodia — Fried Tarantulas
Yes, tarantulas.
In Cambodia, these deep-fried hairy spiders are a crispy snack, often sold on skewers at roadside stands. Locals say it tastes like a mix of crab and chicken — if crab had eight legs and stared into your soul.
I tried one in Phnom Penh. The legs were crunchy, but the body? Let’s just say I chewed with commitment.
Image credit Flickr
2. Philippines — Balut (Duck Embryo)
Balut is a fertilized duck egg, boiled and eaten whole — beak, feathers, and all.
You crack it open, sip the broth, and then dig in. It’s a popular high-protein snack in the Philippines.
I tried it at a bus terminal in Manila. It tasted better than it looked, but I needed to mentally block out the crunch.
Image credit Wikimedia
3. China — Stinky Tofu
You’ll smell it before you see it.
Stinky tofu is fermented tofu that’s deep-fried and served with chili sauce. The scent is somewhere between old gym socks and garbage left in the sun.
But locals in cities like Shanghai and Taipei line up for it like it’s gold. I gagged at first, but with sauce? It grew on me. Sort of.
Image credit Flickr
4. Iceland — Hákarl (Fermented Shark)
This one’s not even cooked.
Hákarl is Greenland shark meat that’s been buried and fermented for months. Then it’s hung to dry and sold in tiny cubes — usually served with a shot of Brennivín (which you’ll need).
I tasted this in Reykjavik and honestly thought something had died inside my mouth.
Locals say it’s an acquired taste. I say, I’d rather acquire something else.
Image credit Wikimedia
5. South Korea — Beondegi (Silkworm Pupae)
Little brown bug-like cocoons sold steaming hot in paper cups.
Beondegi has a chewy, nutty texture and a smell I’d describe as boiled socks. It’s a popular street snack in Seoul, often eaten while walking around night markets.
I took one bite and almost spit it out — but the vendor was watching, so I powered through.
Image credit Wikimedia
6. Nigeria — Suya with Cow Tongue
Suya is amazing. But in Nigeria, you can get it made with cow tongue, grilled over open flames, and sprinkled with spicy yaji powder.
The texture is soft and a little rubbery, but the flavor? Deep and smoky.
I tried this in Lagos and was surprised at how addictive it was. You just have to get over the fact that you’re chewing your tongue.
Image credit Flickr
7. Japan — Shirako (Fish Sperm)
Yep. You read that right.
Shirako translates to “white children” — it’s the milt (sperm sacs) of cod or pufferfish. Often served grilled or raw on skewers.
I passed this one at first in Osaka. But after some sake, I gave it a shot. Smooth, creamy, and oddly delicate.
Don’t think about it too much.
8. Thailand — Deep-Fried Scorpions
In Thailand, especially around Khao San Road, you’ll find fried scorpions on sticks.
They’re crunchy, salty, and surprisingly not bad if you’re into that toasted-bug flavor.
I tried one just for the photo, but the real surprise? I kind of liked the tail.
Image credit Flickr
9. Peru — Anticuchos (Cow Heart Skewers)
Grilled cow heart might sound intense, but in Peru, anticuchos are a beloved street food — juicy, smoky, and served with a spicy ají sauce.
I had it in Cusco after a long day of hiking, and honestly, it was one of the best meals I’ve ever had.
Don’t knock it till you try it.
Image credit Wikimedia
10. Indonesia — Sate Ulat (Sago Worm Satay)
In Borneo and Papua, locals grill fat white sago worms on sticks and serve them like chicken satay.
They’re rich in protein and kind of burst when you bite into them. Not my favorite texture, but people there go crazy for it.
If you can handle it, they say it makes your skin glow.
Final Thoughts
Street food isn’t just about filling your stomach — it’s about stepping out of your comfort zone.
These wacky dishes may sound extreme, but they tell you something powerful about culture, survival, and what people find delicious around the world.
You might laugh. You might gag. But you’ll definitely remember it.
And if you’re anything like me, you’ll probably try it anyway.
