Wildcatters love trying new things and taking risks. But what if eating one simple meal could mean risking your life? The following gourmet delicacies can be potentially lethal if improperly prepared or irresponsibly consumed, but the flavor can be well the risk. Although the techniques for preparing these foods have been honed and perfected over centuries, they should still be approached with caution. For the truly adventurous Wildcatters out there: Bon appetit!
1. Fugu
Fugu is a type of blowfish common is Japanese cuisine. This potentially lethal fish must be cut just the right way, or it will release a numbing toxin that will eventually lead to suffocation. Japanese chefs take their training very seriously when it comes to this dish, so don’t order this from just anywhere.
Try it at: Yamadaya – Tokyo, Japan
This upscale restaurant comes with three Michelin stars, expertly prepared fugu, and the complete Japanese-style dining experience. Reserve a private room, remove your shoes, and settle into the traditional horigotatsu style seating nestled into the ground for an epic meal of the finest Japanese delicacies. Not sure what else to order? Ask the chef to surprise you and you won’t be disappointed.
2. Silver Stripe Blaasop
This puffer is in the same family is the infamous fugu blowfish, and must be prepared with the same care. With the skin, liver, and reproductive organs all containing deadly toxins, the cuts must be precise or the consumer risks a slow, painful death.
Try it at: Ah Yat Abalone Forum, Bangkok Thailand
The place for the top seafood selection in Bangkok, the Abalone Forum is another Michelin starred restaurants with highly trained chefs that serve up all sorts of creatures from the nearby Indian Ocean. Grab a private room, order up some blaasop to start and go from there! They even have a full suckling pig on the menu!
3. Casu Marzu
Casu Marzu is an Italian delicacy that makes even the stinkiest of cheeses smell like fresh potpourri. This rotten cheese is left out for days, where the flies have their way with it before it’s fully ready. Maggots from the cheese often survive in the human body long after the meal is over and can cause severe longterm health problems.
Try it here: Sardinia, Italy
While it’s now illegal to sell the sell cheese due to the health concerns, it is possible to find some if you dig deep enough into the backstreets of small Sardinian towns. Your best bet is to befriend a local bartender and start asking around, but eat it at your own risk since this cheese is not regulated!
4. San-nakji
In Korea, this octopus dish served while it’s still alive! Although there is no risk of poison here, the desperate octopi instinctively cling on to the last moments of life and have been known to choke unsuspecting diners to death right there at the table.
Try it here: Noryangjin Fish Market – Seoul, Korea
Since it’s served live, the best option is to get the goods straight from the fish market. This 24-hour fish market has several vendors willing to prepare this unique dish to order for you, just don’t take your eyes off it for a second!
