3rd Place: Giant Isopod (Japan) – Deep-Sea Giant Bug
Source: Wikipedia
Deep-sea giant isopods eaten in Japan are massive marine creatures about the size of your palm. They look exactly like giant bugs, making Americans gasp, “You eat THAT?!”
These creatures are deep-sea crustaceans related to shrimp and crabs, but they look exactly like terrestrial pill bugs. In some parts of Japan, they’re treasured as “sea shrimp” and eaten boiled or grilled.
The taste is said to be “similar to shrimp,” but the visual impact is so crazy intense that most people give up before even trying. Even Japanese people say this dish “requires courage,” making it known for being “the most bug-looking seafood ever.”
2nd Place: Sago Worms (Southeast Asia) – Live Giant Larvae Eaten Raw
Source: Wikipedia
“Sago Worms” eaten in Malaysia and Indonesia are palm-sized giant larvae that grow inside sago palm trunks, eaten while still alive! These larvae are white and fat, and you can clearly see them writhing around alive.
Locals bite off the head first, then swallow the rest raw or quickly stir-fry them. When eaten raw, they’re described as “creamy with a coconut milk-like taste,” but the sensation of them moving in your mouth causes most foreigners to spit them out immediately!
These larvae are extremely nutritious and serve as an important protein source for locals. They’re especially enjoyed as old-school delicacies in Malaysia’s Sarawak state and parts of Indonesia. But Americans are completely overwhelmed by the concept of “eating live giant larvae raw.” As “the world’s most moving food,” this is the ultimate trial dish that many adventurers and foodies attempt and fail miserably.
