Top 11 Creepy Dishes You Won't Believe Actually Exist in Japan

At first glance, these fish might seem like just another dried fish dish, and you wouldn’t think twice before trying them. But hold your breath—if you catch a whiff of their smell, you might change your mind. This traditional dish from Izu Island is known for its overpowering stench, and only the bravest dare to give it a taste. Locals prepare Kusaya by soaking various types of fish in seawater, which is reused multiple times, allowing the fish to ferment. The smell is so pungent that even many Japanese people shy away from this dish.

Seafood is a healthy and familiar dish for many of us, but in Japan, they take it a step further with their fermented seafood delicacy, Shiokara. Unlike regular seafood, these are left to ferment before consumption, and the taste is far from pleasant. If you're brave enough to try it, it’s recommended to pair it with some alcohol. Otherwise, it wouldn’t even be considered a specialty in Japan if it was prepared normally!

Japanese cuisine is renowned for its raw dishes, as it's believed that raw foods retain more nutrients. However, the dancing fish dish is truly unique. Essentially, it's a dish of live fish, served raw, and when placed in your mouth, the fish is still wriggling. That's why it's called the dancing fish. This dish often makes diners hesitant, but if given the chance, would you dare try this quirky Japanese delicacy?

When it comes to dishes involving sperm, it’s already a bit unusual, but in Japan, cod sperm (Shirako) is considered a delicacy, often served raw. Sounds unappealing, right? Despite its off-putting appearance and taste, it’s believed to be highly nutritious and great for male vitality. But even though it's packed with nutrients, its look and flavor might just make you lose your appetite!

Soy-based dishes are known for being delicious and nutritious, but the Japanese have a very peculiar way of preparing them. Natto, as the name suggests, is fermented soybeans. The beans are soaked in water for a day until soft, then left to ferment until they develop long, sticky threads like spider webs. The longer and stickier the threads, the more flavorful the Natto becomes.

However, due to the fermentation process, the taste is anything but pleasant. Natto is infamous for its strong and pungent odor.

Fugu is the name for the pufferfish, a poisonous fish that is a popular delicacy in Japan. Despite its popularity, this dish is controversial because the poison in the fish can be deadly if not prepared properly. In Japan, only chefs with a special license are allowed to prepare this dish. Even though it’s considered a specialty, many people hesitate to try it because, after all, no one wants to risk their life for a meal.

This traditional Japanese dish is made from insects. Typically served with rice, it is a unique delicacy that even children can enjoy. The insects are boiled in hot water for about 3-4 minutes, then dried and cooked in a special soy sauce called Tsukudani, which adds depth to the flavor. While this dish may seem less intimidating than others, many people still hesitate to try this unusual Japanese specialty.

To prepare frog sashimi, the frog is first butchered—its head chopped off, internal organs removed, and skin peeled away. The frog's meat is then laid out on a plate of ice with a slice of lime. This fresh raw dish is served with soy sauce. When the frog sashimi is brought to the table, it’s clear that the frog is still alive, its body twitching and its eyes blinking as if nothing is amiss.

Sushi is a well-known dish from Japan, often made with raw ingredients to preserve their nutritional value. While you've probably seen or even tasted various types of sushi, you might not be familiar with the incredibly bizarre insect sushi.

Instead of the usual fish or easy-to-eat ingredients, the Japanese have created a specialty sushi made with insects such as cockroaches or other bugs. Even many locals are hesitant to try this dish, so if you're feeling brave, it might be worth giving it a shot!

Bee larvae may be familiar to many people, and in Japan, they are considered a delicacy. Typically enjoyed during drinking sessions and paired with beer, these larvae are simply fried with sugar and soy sauce to give them a crispy texture and flavorful aroma. While many find the dish quite tasty, the appearance of the larvae might make you cringe. If you ever visit Japan, maybe you’ll be brave enough to try it yourself!

If you know what a salamander looks like, then this dish is definitely not for the faint-hearted. Salamanders are now protected by law, and cooking or eating one could land you in jail. However, the Japanese now prepare and consume a less endangered species of salamander. While it may still look unusual, it’s probably less intimidating than some of the other bizarre dishes, so you might want to give it a try without too much hesitation.