15 of the Weirdest Things People Have Ever Eaten While Traveling

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There are many weird and wonderful things to experience while traveling, especially regarding food.

It’s always good to try something new, and below are 15 foods that travelers have tried and tested.

1. Raw, Salted Jellyfish in Vietnam

jellyfish on platter

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Raw jellyfish is a popular street food in many parts of Asia, including Vietnam, China, Korea, and Malaysia. One traveler described the food as “weirdly crunchy” but enjoyed eating it.

2. Bitter Melon in India

bitter melon

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Bitter melon or bitter gourd is a common fruit found in India, China, and parts of Africa. It can be incredibly bitter, especially for those trying it for the first time, but it has impressive health benefits, from helping with weight loss to controlling diabetes.

3. Hakarl in Iceland

hakarl iceland

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Greenland or sleeper shark, cured by fermentation and dried out for up to five months, is known as Hakarl. It tastes fishy and has a strong ammonia smell that many travelers find off putting and is an acquired taste.

4. Khanon Jeen Nam Ngiao in Thailand

thai pork noodle soup

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This spicy pork and noodle soup with cubes of congealed pork blood is made in Thailand, but variations of this meal can be found in other Asian countries. After tasting this soup, one traveler “went back two or three times” because it tasted so good.

5. Surströmming in Sweden

surstromming sweden

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Surströmming is a Baltic Sea herring that has been fermented and lightly salted. It’s a traditional Swedish cuisine that many eat on bread with chives, sour cream, or potatoes. Some say it’s one of the world’s smelliest foods and, just like hakarl, is an acquired taste.

6. Tacos de Sesos in Mexico

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“Sesos” means brain in Spanish, and you can expect brains in tacos de sesos. Cooks love goat or cow brains for their creamy, custard-like texture that pairs well with crispy taco toppings like cilantro, onions, and lime.

7. Mopane Worms in Botswana

mopane worms

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Mopane worms are commonly eaten in Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. They are a source of fats, proteins, and minerals. They are usually dried and eaten raw as a snack.

8. Cuy in Peru

roasted guinea pig cuy peru

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Guinea pig or “Cuy” is roasted and often served alongside potatoes and traditional sauces. This classic Peruvian dish has received mixed reactions among travelers who try it, some saying it doesn’t taste that good, while others loved their meal.

9. Jellied Eels in London

jellied eels london

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This traditional English dish originated in the 18th century and is most prevalent in London’s East End. The eels are chopped and boiled in spiced stock, cooled, and form a jelly. People usually eat it cold.

10. Abai-Sundae in South Korea

korean blood sausage soondae

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This South Korean street food is a type of blood sausage. Abai-sundae uses a whole squid as a sausage casing, and the filling comprises blood, seaweed, onions, carrots, and spices.

11. Acorn Coffee in Lithuania

acorn coffee

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Acorn coffee has a rich and earthy taste that many locals and travelers love. Nuts are brewed to create a warm, caffeine-free drink. After being soaked, softened, and ground into a powder, it is mixed with milk and hot water.

12. Bacalao in Puerto Rico

salted codfish

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One traveler shared that the “weirdest thing (they) ever ate was bacalao ice cream.” Salt cod or bacalao is a key ingredient in Puerto Rica’s traditional fish stew. The ingredient is also used to make the famous bacalao ice cream.

13. Hormigasculonas in Colombia

colombian ants

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Hormigasculonas are big-bottomed ants found in Colombia and are a delicacy in parts of the region. One traveler said that hormigasculonas “tasted like popcorn.”

14. Chicken Crowns in Taipei

taiwan street food market

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The crown of a chicken is fried and sold as street food. Some described the food as having a taste and texture of cartilage.

15. Elephant Dung Gin in South Africa

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Elephant dung gin is also known as “indlovu gin,” where elephant dung is collected by hand and washed. What’s left over are botanicals that are sterilized and dried and then infused into the gin.

Source: Reddit

20 Most Dangerous Countries in the World Travelers Should Avoid in 2023

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Wanderlust may take you all over the world, but some countries are too dangerous to visit, and knowing which are best avoided in 2023 could keep you safe.

Let’s take a closer look at a list of the most dangerous countries in the world based on data from the World Population Review.

20 Most Dangerous Countries in the World Travelers Should Avoid in 2023

Worth the Money: 15 of The Neatest Souvenirs From Around the World

Tourist man with hat riding on camel background pyramid of Egyptian Giza, sunset Cairo, Egypt.

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You’ve probably been there before after you come home from a trip and someone asks, “What did you get me?” We all love a good souvenir. It instantly reminds us of the experiences we had while traveling. Here are some fun souvenir ideas from around the world.

Worth the Money: 15 of The Neatest Souvenirs From Around the World

12 Countries You Should AVOID as a Solo Woman Traveling According to Travelers

Woman saying no

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Traveling the world is one of life’s biggest joys, but for women embarking on solo journeys, trips to new countries can be stressful and sometimes dangerous. Recently, women met in an online discussion to reveal the countries any solo female traveler should avoid due to a higher likelihood of encountering dangerous situations.

12 Countries You Should AVOID as a Solo Woman Traveling According to Travelers

14 Cities in the USA That Are Criminally Underrated According to Americans

Tourist woman visit architecture of Chicago she walking Lincoln Park near lake. Chicago, Illinois, USA.

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Everyone’s idea of a vacation or road trip is a little different. There are certain cities we gravitate towards more often, like San Francisco, NYC, or L.A. Have you considered exploring a new city that’s underrated and, perhaps, under appreciated? Check out these U.S. cities that a popular travel forum voted as “criminally underrated.”

14 Cities in the USA That Are Criminally Underrated According to Americans

15 Most Dangerous Cities in the World Where Crime Rates Are Off the Charts

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA street cars.

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There are many ways to measure the danger of any given city—robberies, physical assaults, and even the number of fatal work accidents. However, there is one universally-accepted metric for gauging danger: violent crime rates and property crime rates. Based on recent statistics, here are some of the most dangerous cities around the world (not in any particular order).

15 Most Dangerous Cities in the World Where Crime Rates Are Off the Charts

Where indicated, some images courtesy of Depositphotos.com.

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Jordy Johnson

Jordy gave up her home base to travel South Africa and experience more of her country. From that decision, she’s landed work as a travel writer for a magazine that showcases southern Africa and has grown her Instagram travel page, WeTheWests. She enjoys showing locals and foreigners all the beautiful and unique places and experiences South Africa and the rest of the world have to offer.

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