Here comes part 2 which will bring you to the front of the most bizarre cuisines of Asia! Are you ready to tantalize your taste buds with the following unique snacks? Let’s find out!
Seahorse
Seahorses, which are prized as delicacies in Asian nations like China and Japan, are now in danger of being extinct due to the rising demand for these species.
These sea animals are widely accessible in locations like Beijing’s Wangfujing food market, where they are offered as appetizers on sticks. The seahorses are frequently dried, powdered into a powder, and then added to tea, wine, or soup.
In addition to being consumed, seahorses are a common component in traditional Chinese medicines because they are said to boost men’s sexual stamina and to treat conditions including asthma and heart disease.
Rat
Rats are a good food source for individuals with little money and those who live in the most isolated places because they are typically easy to come by. Thank God, it’s just rats caught in rice fields that are cooked and eaten, not the ones you see scurrying through Bangkok’s streets!
Despite being used for generations by rural populations, rat meat is now priced more than chicken or pork in Thailand, according to a 2012 BBC report. Rat meat is eaten not just in Thailand but also in Laos, China, Vietnam, Taiwan, and also in Myanmar. In Myanmar, it is served as an appetizer, eaten together with Palm juice. Is anyone up for some ratatouille? The meat is supposed to be exceptionally excellent and unusual.
Silkworm Pupae
Silkworm pupae sometimes referred to as bondage locally, are a preferred Korean food. One of the most well-liked street dishes in the nation, these pupae are often either boiled or steamed before being spiced.
Bondage can be purchased from the grocery store in addition to being consumed as a street dish. They indeed, according to one of the consumers, make a delectable camping snack! Silkworm pupae are widely consumed not only in Korea but also in Vietnam, Thailand, China, and Japan.
And men might be happy to hear that rats that were fed silkworms had stronger skeletal muscles than those who engaged in swimming sports due to the discovery in one study. It appears that eating silkworms can be more advantageous for building muscle than working out! That is why among bodybuilders, eating silkworm pupae is becoming more popular.
Dog
Due to how uncommon it is in Western society, eating dog meat frequently disgusts backpackers. Dogs are not typically kept as pets in Asia, despite the fact that this is the situation in the US. Although the trade in dog meat is still growing in nations like China, Korea, and Vietnam, it is starting to lose favor because of worries about cruelty.
In Vietnam, dog meat is typically consumed in the north at restaurants that specialize in serving it, and it’s even thought to be lucky. Dog meat, whether roasted or stewed, is also thought to stimulate libido, although, like the majority of such claims, there is no evidence to support this.
Moreover, the news came out that in Pyay, a city in Myanmar, dog meat becomes more popular these days. But the reason is that it is eaten not as a delicacy food but as the solution for many poor citizens who can’t afford to pay for ordinary meat.
Dog meat consumption is declining, and groups like the Asia Canine Protection Alliance (ACPA) have emerged to stop the trade. Many contend that the trade is intrinsically cruel because dogs are transported, raised as livestock, then slaughtered inhumanely. If the ethical problem isn’t enough to put you off, research indicates that consuming dog meat may also be harmful to people, increasing the risk of severe diseases like rabies. We believe in skipping that one.
Ants
Ants are consumed all throughout the world as a common snack. Due to their availability and abundance, they are particularly popular in areas that are close to jungles.
The Asian weaver ant is a common ingredient in cuisines in Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. Both the adult and brood forms are sold in the local markets. They sell for more money than meat in these markets!
The huge white eggs of the red ant are used to make a common spicy salad (or yam) in the northern part of Thailand. It combines spring onions, Thai chili, fish sauce, and mint leaves. Because they consume mangoes, ants produce acetic acid in their eggs.
