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Photo: TasteAtlas
Table of Content

Listed below is top 9 most weirdest dishes cooked from meat in the world. They are maybe considered weird and bizarre, or even dangerous to outsiders, are considered delicacies in their countries.

Although eating these foods might seem like a form of ‘extreme dining’ to us, they’re tasty everyday or special occasion fare for the people who eat them.

1. Bosintang – Korea

Dogs may be considered as man’s best friend, but Bosintang treats dogs as the main ingredient. This dish, also known as Boshintang and literally meaning “invigorating soup”, is a popular dish served in both North and South Korea. Bosintang can be traced as far back as 1849. It is a soup containing dog meat along with green onions and dandelions and is said to promote virility in men.

While consuming dog meat may be unacceptable to some, it is not actually illegal in Korea to eat dog meat. However, regular safety inspections are done to ensure that the meat is not contaminated. This dish is regularly found in many restaurants in South Korea as well. What makes this dish unique is not the taste itself. Rather, it is the controversy of consuming what many regards as pets or beloved family members that makes the dish infamous, according to Poplisticle.

2. Steak Tartare – France

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Photo: The Spruce Eats

French waiters will still ask foreigners over and over again if they know what they are getting themselves into, but surely this is pretty well known now. It’s made up of good quality raw ground beef, served with onions, capers, raw egg and seasoned with Worcester sauce and other condiments, usually with rye bread or fries on the side. Considering I like my steak served blue this was always the next logical step – and man, is it good.

3. Cherry Blossom Meat – Japan

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Photo: Atlas Obscura

Interesting one to bring up after that whole European horsemeat scandal. While I have the same aversion most people do to horsemeat, I also kind of recognise the insincerity. I mean, once horses were our companions and transport. Now they are the playthings of rich people. Perhaps something of a nostalgic attachment? Anyway, cherry blossom meat is raw horse, served either on its own or as part of sushi. It’s said to be low in calories and low in fat, but it’s not something I can see myself trying, despite savouring the raw flesh of cows.

4. Kangaroo – Australia

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Photo: The Guardian

Historically the staple meat for indigenous Australians, kangaroo is high in protein and low in fat, making it a pretty healthy choice. It’s gamey in flavour and served in multiple ways, from a simple steak to sausages or burgers.

Although some animal groups are against the hunting and harvesting of kangaroos for meat, many ecologists see farming native animals as much better for the fragile Australian rangelands than cattle and say it could massively reduce greenhouse emissions.

5. Crocodile – Australia, Southeast Asia and Africa

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Photo: Discover Wildlife

Not only harvested for shoes (one for all you Jimmy Nail fans out there), crocodile meat is considered a delicacy in many places around the world, supposedly tasting like a cross between chicken and crab. Although crocodiles are protected in many parts of the world, crocodile meat is usually farmed, so is sustainable if not particularly kind or natural.

6. Southern Fried Rattlesnake – United States

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Photo: Pinterest

A favourite in the Southwestern United States, it’s said to taste a little like frogs legs. Experts advise boiling the meat off the bones before dipping in egg and covering in seasoned salt mix, flour and breadcrumbs. Deep fat fry and munch away.

7. Turtle Soup – China, Singapore and United States

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Photo: Pinterest

Made using the meat, skin and innards of the soft-shell turtle in East Asia or the snapping turtle in the United States, this is considered something of a Chinese delicacy. However, after seeing turtles slaughtered in the Hong Kong wet markets I vowed I’d never eat this dish. That and the fact Shredder always threatened to turn the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles into turtle soup, the bastard.

8. Bushmeat – Africa

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Photo: Newsweek

Covering all manner of animals from the African plains, bushmeat includes flesh of wildlife like giraffe, lemurs and even apes. It’s a strange one, considering how close an ape’s DNA is to a human’s, almost on the verge of cannibalism. Not only is bushmeat bad for conservation efforts, it’s also believed to spread Ebola and may be the part of the reason for the current outbreak.

9. Cat – East Asia

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Photo: Wikipedia
Another household pet to be killed and served up on a plate. Like dog, it’s found in parts China and Korea, but unlikely to be found in many mainstream restaurants. Another one I won’t be trying… ever.
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