10 Worst Street Snacks in Southeast Asia, Some from Indonesia

JAKARTA – TasteAtlas, a platform known for culinary reviews from around the world, recently released a list street food with the worst rating in Southeast Asia. This list was created based on the experiences of users around the world.

Many of snacks five feet in Southeast Asia This got a bad rating not because of the quality or the way it is made. However, because they challenge conventional culinary tastes and perceptions.

Unusual taste, texture and aroma are often the main reasons why these foods are difficult for many people to accept. Especially those who didn’t grow up with that culinary culture.

The Worst Street Snacks in Southeast Asia

The following is a list of the worst street snacks in Southeast Asia as reported by TasteAtlas, Sunday (2/6/2024).

1. Fried Spiders – Cambodia

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The Cambodian town of Skuon was so infested with spiders that hungry locals adapted and started consuming them in the 1970s, and the practice has continued ever since. It is not surprising that this city is known as Spider Town or Spiderville.

Spiders, usually tarantulas are breaded and fried in hot oil, then served with fresh local herbs over rice or noodles. The taste of this food is described as a cross between cod and chicken. Consumers are warned not to bite the abdomen, which contains the spider’s internal organs and body fluids.

2. Fried Silkworms – Thailand

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Hon mhai or fried silkworms is a traditional Thai insect dish that is very popular in Bangkok. This food is made by frying silkworms, then seasoning them with salt, pepper and a secret sauce and then selling them at roadside carts.

After frying, silkworms become crispy and oily, while their taste is sometimes described as slightly bitter. Silkworms are prized because they are rich in protein and some people believe they have medicinal properties.

3. Balut – Philippines

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Balut is a popular, albeit unusual, Filipino delicacy served everywhere from street stalls to upscale restaurants. These are duck eggs that have been boiled, fertilized, and incubated. Traditionally, cooked embryos are consumed straight from the shell.

This food is usually combined with cold beer as an accompaniment. Balut can be seasoned with chili, garlic, vinegar, salt, lemon juice, ground pepper, and mint leaves. It can also be cooked in omelets or used as a filling for pastries.

4. Meat Hotpot with Galangal and Lemongrass – Thailand

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The term chim chum or meat hotpot refers to traditional Thai dishes as well as the earthenware pot in which they are cooked. The preparation starts with a broth seasoned with galangal, lemongrass and basil. Various vegetables are added next, and the broth is served alongside marinated pork, chicken, or tofu.

Chim chum is consumed as a shared meal. This food is usually served with nam chim or sauce consisting of garlic, chili, fish sauce, lime juice, coriander, shallots and palm sugar.

5. Buntil – Indonesia

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