Experience the exotic delicacies of Vietnam: fried cricket sausage and balut, ranked among the most daring dishes in Asia.

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Discover the 7 most bizarre dishes across Asia

1. Bat soup with vegetables in Asia

2. Hanoi's fried cricket sausage

3. Balut

4. Giant tuna eyes

5. Vietnam's blood pudding

6. Live octopus

7. Frog sashimi

Witnessing the ingredients firsthand, many may hesitate to indulge in Vietnam's fried cricket sausage, while balut is consistently listed as one of the most horrifying dishes in Asia.

While dishes like mouse intestine and monkey brain are common delicacies in many Asian countries, Vietnam boasts a variety of specialties that not every diner dares to try upon seeing them up close. Fried cricket sausage is regarded as the most intimidating specialty of Hanoi's winter season due to the appearance of its raw ingredients. Meanwhile, balut— a common street food or snack for many Vietnamese—is mercilessly dubbed one of the 'worst egg dishes in Asia.'

Embark on a culinary journey across Asian countries to discover the most spine-chilling dishes and understand why many fear them so deeply.

Discover the 7 most bizarre dishes across Asia

1. Bat soup with vegetables in Asia

Bat soup with vegetables is a common dish in many Asian countries such as China, Thailand,... Photo: TheRichest

During a tour of Cambodia or exploration in some Asian countries like Palau or Guam, you won't find it difficult to encounter bat soup—a renowned specialty that might evoke fear with just a glance. When you visit local restaurants and order this eerie dish, the waitstaff will bring out a cage of live bats, allowing you to make your selection before they're prepared into soup or even consumed raw.

In addition to soup, bats are also made into porridge. Photo: Pinterest

Bat meat is cooked with spices like ginger, garlic, salt, and pepper to eliminate odor. After simmering to tender, the meat is separated and served in a bowl, either cooked with vegetables or eaten with a bit of spring onion, sesame oil, and coconut cream.

2. Hanoi's fried cricket sausage

With such an enticing appearance, few would think that fried cricket sausage is one of the 'horrifying' dishes of the winter season. Photo: charuoi.com

Fried cricket sausage (sausage made from molds) is one of the unique fried sausage dishes of the Vietnamese people, only enjoyed in the winter, yet considered a horrifying dish by many foreigners worldwide.

The soft-bodied crickets with legs and bristles often evoke fear in many. Photo: toplist

The cricket season is short, only found in certain localities like Quang Ninh, Hai Duong, Hai Phong, Thai Binh, and is considered a delicacy in these places, but more prevalent in Hanoi's cuisine. The reason it's so 'terrifying' is because the main ingredient, soft-bodied crickets with legs and bristles, live in muddy waters like river mouths and coastal areas. Contrary to its somewhat horrifying appearance, fried cricket sausage has an incredibly delicious flavor when mixed with eggs, lime leaves, citrus peel, and other spices and fried.

3. Balut

A popular evening treat among the Vietnamese people. Photo: Tiin

Being a horrifying dish not only in Vietnam but also widely popular in some other Asian countries, it's understandable why balut is dubbed the 'worst egg dish in the world' by the culinary website Taste Atlas.

The sight of the whole duck embryo inside often terrifies many. Photo: vietnamnet

This dish consists of a duck egg with a developed embryo, boiled and served with salt, pepper, and thinly sliced ginger. The sight of the whole duck embryo inside often scares people away. Besides Vietnam, some Asian countries also favor this nutritious dish, including the Philippines, Cambodia, and China.

4. Giant tuna eyes

Would you dare to try these gigantic eyes? Photo: vtc

One of the most horrifying dishes in Asia is giant tuna eyes. Despite being highly nutritious and beneficial for health, not many dare to try it upon seeing the 'super-sized' eyes. To enjoy this dish, you can visit Japan or China. Giant tuna eyes are dropped into boiling water and then scooped out to be enjoyed with sauce and garlic, providing beneficial fatty acids and omega-3 for the eyes.

5. Vietnam's blood pudding

The culinary website Taste Atlas once suggested travelers to Vietnam to indulge in blood pudding. Photo: TasteAtlas

Another horrifying dish from Vietnam that makes global diners steer clear right from the sight of it is blood pudding. It's a raw dish made from fresh animal blood mixed with light saltwater or fish sauce, finely chopped cartilage. What's horrifying here is that it undergoes no cooking process but merely sets like jelly, squeezed with a bit of lime, boiled liver, and sprinkled with roasted peanuts to be enjoyed.

There are various types of blood pudding such as pork, chicken, duck, and goat. Photo: ngonaz

The preparation method of such dishes is quite common in Vietnamese cuisine, especially in the Northern region, but has never been seen in the cuisine of any other place in the world.

6. Live octopus

The dish of live octopus or Sannakji from South Korea. Photo: Quora

If you're a fan of million-view mukbang clips, you're probably familiar with live octopus or Sannakji from South Korea. What makes it the most horrifying dish in the world is that even when the tentacles of the live octopus are chopped into small pieces, they still squirm and stick to the mouth and throat when eaten. That's why not everyone has the courage to try it, even though the octopus has been marinated with some spices to reduce the fishy smell.

Katsu ika odori-don is the Japanese version served with noodles or rice underneath. Photo: Pinterest

A horrifying dish from Japan similar to live octopus is Katsu ika odori-don – a dish of rice or noodles topped with live squid. When served on the table, the live squid still wriggles around trying to escape from the sauce and marinade. However, this dish is quite dangerous, so you should consider carefully before eating.

7. Frog sashimi

Forget frog hot pot or delicious salt-roasted frog, when in Japan and if you're brave enough, you can enjoy frog served as sashimi. To serve this most horrifying dish on the planet as fresh as possible, Japanese restaurants often keep frogs right in the kitchen, preparing them in front of the diners.

Japanese frog sashimi. Photo: Indozone

This means you'll be eating while seeing frog pieces on the plate still 'twitching', with their eyes even blinking. Few tourists dare to try this horrifying dish, although it's a favorite drinking snack of the Japanese.

Moc Nhien

According to Vietnam Sports Newspaper

Posted by: Lien Trinh

Keywords: Vietnam's exotic fried cricket sausage, balut, and the top most horrifying dishes in Asia

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are some of the most horrifying dishes in Asia that you can try?

Asia is home to numerous horrifying dishes, including Vietnam's fried cricket sausage, balut, giant tuna eyes, and live octopus. These dishes often evoke fear due to their unusual ingredients and appearances, making them a challenge for many adventurous eaters.

Why is balut considered one of the worst egg dishes in the world?

Balut is considered one of the worst egg dishes due to the sight of a developed duck embryo inside the egg. This unsettling appearance can deter many people, despite its popularity in countries like Vietnam and the Philippines.

What unique ingredients are used in Vietnam's fried cricket sausage?

Vietnam's fried cricket sausage features soft-bodied crickets, which are mixed with eggs, lime leaves, and spices. Despite its intimidating look, the sausage is known for its delicious flavor, making it a winter delicacy in Hanoi.

How is bat soup prepared in various Asian countries?

In many Asian countries, bat soup is prepared by selecting live bats, which are then cooked with spices like ginger and garlic. This dish is often served with vegetables or in porridge, showcasing a unique culinary tradition that can be quite shocking for first-time diners.

What makes live octopus such a terrifying dish to try?

Live octopus, known as Sannakji, is considered terrifying because the tentacles continue to squirm even after being chopped. This unusual presentation can pose a choking hazard, which deters many from trying this adventurous dish.

What is the significance of frog sashimi in Japanese cuisine?

Frog sashimi holds significance in Japanese cuisine as it showcases the culture's emphasis on fresh ingredients. Served with the frog still twitching, this dish reflects Japan's unique approach to food and highlights the adventurous nature of its culinary offerings.