10 Exotic Foods Every Adventurous Traveler Must Try Abroad

Testing traditional local cuisine is the ultimate way to immerse yourself in a destination and experience life like a local. From bustling street food stalls to cozy family-run eateries, asking residents for their go-to spots uncovers hidden gems packed with authentic flavors. While insects aren't on New York menus, they're celebrated worldwide—and street vendors everywhere offer chances to expand your palate.

Discover these 10 unusual yet unforgettable foods on your next trip abroad.

Biltong in Cape Town

Don't confuse it with jerky—South Africans insist biltong stands apart! This beloved snack boasts a unique flavor profile and versatility, available at markets, supermarkets, and gas stations. Crafted from beef, springbok, ostrich, or other meats, it's dried, cured with vinegar, salt, and spices.

Escamoles in Mexico City

Escamoles, the larvae of ants nesting in agave or mescal roots, are a luxurious delicacy. Pan-fried with butter and spices, their nutty taste shines in tacos, omelets, or paired with guacamole.

Beetles in Bangkok

Crispy water beetles, or maeng da in Thai, are fried with oil, garlic, and chili—a protein-packed street food alongside silkworms and grasshoppers. Enjoy their surprising black licorice flavor.

Shark Burgers in Trinidad

Bake-and-Shark (or Shark-and-Bake) defines Trinidad and Tobago beach culture, especially at Maracas Beach. Freshly fried shark on flatbread is layered with coleslaw, tomatoes, mango chutney, or tamarind sauce.

Yak Butter Tea in Lhasa

Essential for Tibet's harsh climate, this high-fat, calorie-rich drink—known as po cha—welcomes every guest. Brewed from black tea, yak butter, and salt, it's churned into a frothy, earthy, cheese-like beverage.

Guinea Pig in Lima

Peru's cuy (guinea pig) has graced diets for over 5,000 years, from fried market versions to roasted, alfalfa-fed roasts in fine dining. With a rabbit-chicken taste, order one per person—portions are petite!

Tarantulas in Skuon

Cambodia's fried tarantulas (a-ping) are a specialty, with Skuon streets overflowing. Tossed in sugar, salt, and garlic then deep-fried, they mimic soft-shell crab texture.

Balut in the Philippines

A iconic Filipino street food and fine-dining star, balut is a fertilized duck egg boiled and eaten from the shell. Despite its bold appearance, the fresh duck and creamy yolk win fans everywhere.

Tuna Eyeballs in Tokyo

A Japanese seafood curiosity, tuna eyeballs are fried with garlic and soy sauce. Chewy like squid or oyster, find them at markets or try cooking at home from grocery stores.

Surströmming in Stockholm

This notoriously pungent Swedish fermented herring is best enjoyed outdoors. Aged six months in cans, it's served on tunnbröd crispbread with butter, potatoes, sour cream, onions, or dill.

By Gabby Peyton, Toronto-based travel writer, photographer, and food enthusiast. Her journeys—from Istanbul and Bologna to St. John's, Newfoundland—are fueled by culinary discoveries.