The world is full of different cultures, and it is very enriching to travel and discover each and every one of them. Learning a foreign country's way of life entails interacting with locals, respecting local beliefs, and of course, eating some of their local dishes.
But there are some cultures around the world that serve quite strange, exotic dishes. While to the Western community, eating insects and pig's entrails is really frowned upon; to some cultures it's perfectly normal. Here are some of the most exotic dishes in the planet:
Deer Penis. There's a certain restaurant in Beijing, China that has deer penis on their menu, and it is catered to those people who still believe that animal reproductive organs can cure erectile problems and other diseases. Although this tradition has been around for a thousand of years, only a few are left today that still believes in this practice.
Fried Tarantula. While fear of spiders is known in many parts of the world, people in Cambodia have a different approach to these arachnids. Most commonly found on the streets of Cambodia, Tarantulas are served pan-fried with garlic and salt, and is considered a local delicacy. The locals said the flavor is somewhat similar to chicken, and is surprisingly good. Most people eat this dish by consuming the head and legs, and if they're up for it, they'll eat the abdomen as well.
Casu Marzu. Cheese is a delicacy favored by many people, but in Sardinia, Italy, they have a certain kind of cheese only with the strongest stomachs can only consume. Casu Marzu is basically a big block of cheese made from goat's milk that is left to rot so maggots could feast and lay eggs on them. The cheese is served while maggots are still writhing in them, as Sardinians say that this would make the cheese taste better.
Balut. One of the most famous exotic dishes, Balut is mostly found in the Philippines and it is basically a fertilized duck or chicken egg. Typically served hot, many Filipinos are really fond of this dish and it is said to be a great aphrodisiac. The egg is first peeled slightly then after slurping the broth inside, the embryo is sprinkled with salt and vinegar and swallowed whole.
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