16 Interesting Foods You’ll Only Find In Asia

Growing up in the United States, where mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, and french fries are the norm, the most unusual thing I’ve ever eaten was a beef tongue taco (and it was pretty tasty). But Southeast Asia is on another level when it comes to food. It’s a paradise for adventurous eaters.

From skewers of new meats and bowls of bubbling orange goo to crispy fried insects that stare back at you, the region offers an explosion of flavors and textures. You haven’t truly tasted exotic until you’ve explored the culinary wonders of Asia, where pungent fruits and unexpected ingredients are just part of the adventure.

Braised Crocodile Paw – Singapore

Once a common meal in Southeast Asia, crocodile meat is now a more exotic treat. In Singapore, crocodile paws are found in some restaurants, offering a unique experience. Imagine chicken feet with a twist: gelatinous, silky skin and meat that tastes like herbal chicken.

Marinated in a special sauce, it’s like a gourmet version of a familiar favorite. If you enjoy American-style Chinese food, head to restaurants like the Dragon Chamber in Singapore, where you can try braised crocodile paw for $60!

Shark Lor Mee – Singapore

How often can you say you’ve had a shark in noodle soup? Shark Lor Mee offers a fun way to dive into a different culture. This exotic food offers chewy yellow noodles in rich, dark gravy with deep-fried shark meat instead of chicken or pork.

While not common everywhere in Singapore, this specialty can be found in Tiong Bahru, a historic neighborhood famous for its delicious hawker food.

Balut – Philippines

Balut, a fertilized duck egg with a visible embryo, is a classic Filipino street food. Vendors call out “balooooooot” in the afternoons, selling these affordable warm eggs. Locals love it for its savory, salty flavor, creamy yolk, and slightly chewy chick.

Filipinos often season it with salt, vinegar, and chili. It’s as common as hotdogs in America and is often enjoyed with beer!

Tamilok – Philippines 

As much as people love Tamilok, I don’t think I would try it. These slimy little worms are a popular food in parts of the Philippines, like Palawan and Aklan. They live in rotting wood in mangroves, and though they’re technically mollusks, locals call them “woodworms.”

You can have them raw, like ceviche, or cooked. Some brave souls even eat them whole! They’re said to taste fishy, with a slimy, creamy texture, kind of like oysters.

Crispy Fried Scorpion – Cambodia

This creepy-crawly treat comes straight from Cambodia! Vendors line the night markets and streets, especially in tourist spots, skewering these little critters for sale.

Despite their intimidating appearance, crispy fried scorpions taste almost like savory chips. Locals even compare them to sweeter, meatier versions of dried shrimp snacks at an Asian market!

Tarantula – Cambodia

Have you ever heard of a deep-fried spider snack? Cambodians call these treats “A-Ping,” and they’re surprisingly popular.

The snack is crispy outside and soft (and some say gooey) in the center. The seasoning makes it interesting—salty and savory, with a bit of a kick, like spicy Takis chips.

BBQ Frog – Cambodia

Ever get tired of the same old barbecue chicken? Well, in Cambodia, they take grilling to a new level with BBQ frogs! Stroll through any night market in Cambodia, and you’ll likely see vendors with skewers of marinated frogs sizzling over hot coals. The secret spice blend varies by region, making the skin crispy and the meat juicy and tender. Some say it tastes like chicken but with a unique, slightly sweet twist.

Deep Fried Worms – Thailand

Honestly, I don’t even want to imagine trying worms as snacks, but friends who tried the deep-fried worms (also called Hon mhai) in Thailand say they don’t look like actual worms after frying. These 1 to 2-cm bites puff up into crispy, golden nuggets, like popcorn shrimp but made from silkworms!

Hon mhai is a tasty, protein-packed, affordable snack for Thais. It tastes savory with a hint of bitterness, similar to salty cashews with an earthy flavor.

Spicy Raw Ant Eggs Salad – Thailand

Spicy raw ant egg salad is found mostly in Northeast Thailand (Isan region). Also known as Koi Khai Mot Dang is a fiery salad packed with tiny, translucent eggs with a soft, “rice bubble” texture and a surprising burst of tanginess.

Although the red ant eggs are quite mild, they’re flavorful because they’re tossed with a spicy dressing full of herbs and chilies.

Or Lam – Laos

You won’t find Or Lam just anywhere—it’s a specialty of Luang Prabang in northern Laos. Imagine a steaming pot of rich, flavorful broth with tender ox or buffalo meat packed with colorful veggies.

The star ingredient is mai sakahn, a wood chili vine that adds a spicy kick and a numbing sensation to your mouth like Szechuan peppercorns. Laotians enjoy this wild concoction with sticky rice, rolled into little balls and dunked into the delicious broth.

Snake Meal – Vietnam

In Hanoi, Vietnam, you can choose a live snake to eat–like picking your lobster at a fancy seafood restaurant. At places like Nguyen Van Duc, a popular spot in Snake Village, you select your snake for dinner.

Most go for Cobra, but there are smaller options, too. Once chosen, the experts handle the rest, turning the snake into a delicious dish. Surprisingly, it tastes like chicken or fish but has a unique, slightly sweet flavor.

Blood Sausage – Vietnam

Blood sausages are popular worldwide—the French have boudin noir, the Spanish love morcilla, and England enjoys black pudding. In Vietnam, it’s Doi huyet, made from pork blood, pork fat, and fresh herbs like basil.

Boiled or fried, it’s enjoyed as a snack or added to rice porridge. Locals love it because it’s cheap, tasty, and iron-rich. Adventurous tourists should give it a try!

Rat Kebab – Vietnam

Rat kebabs might not be on fancy menus, but they’re popular, affordable street food in Vietnam, like pizza slices in the U.S. They’re like a typical kebab skewer but with a roasted rat instead of chicken or lamb.

Don’t worry—they clean them well! Golden brown and tasty, rat meat is described as gamey, like rabbit or dark chicken, with a rich, moist texture.

Biawak – Indonesia

Biawak isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you’re feeling bold on your Indonesian vacation, you might want to try these water monitor lizards. In Java, they’re a local delicacy found sizzling on skewers, often offered by street vendors.

They taste similar to chicken but with a unique twist. Served with peanut sauce, sweet soy sauce, chilies, and shallots, they’re a true taste-bud adventure.

Laphet Thoke – Myanmar

In Myanmar, the local favorite is a salad called Laphet Thoke. This dish features fermented tea leaves as the star ingredient instead of lettuce, which is common on salads in America.

These tangy leaves are tossed with chopped tomatoes, crunchy peanuts, crispy fried garlic, and a splash of fish sauce for an unforgettable mix of flavors. 

Durian – Malaysia

Durian is known as the “King of Tropical Fruit,” is a unique Southeast Asian delicacy, especially popular in Malaysia. Famous for its creamy, delicious insides, it’s equally notorious for its strong odor, often compared to sewage or rotten vegetables.

Yet, those who brave the smell are rewarded with a rich, complex flavor that blends sweet, savory, and creamy notes into an unforgettable taste experience.

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