Live shrimp, fermented oysters and red ants. Even Thais have trouble stomaching some of the country's most notorious delicacies
Not all Thai food arrives at the table with a seductive appearance and sensational aroma. In fact there are quite a few dishes that not just foreigners but many Thais gag at the thought of eating.
But as disgusting as the majority may find them, even the most horrifying of dishes have devout fans who consider them a delicacy they fantasize about daily.
In honor of these culinary mavericks, here's a list of the most repulsive Thai dishes out there.
1. Goong Ten
Always wanted to know what it feels like to have tiny shrimp dance the cha-cha in your mouth? Try goong ten.
With a name that literally means "dancing shrimp," you'd better believe this dish is alive.
A frenzy-filled salad,
goong ten is mixed in a metal bowl while the transparent little shrimp attempt in vain to wiggle their way to freedom.
I'll be the first to admit that a spoonful of the dancing critters is both entertaining and delicious. After taking a bite, the shrimp rupture with saltiness and climax with a pleasant crunch.
2. Larb Leuat Neua
It's safe to say fans of this bloody dish aren't suffering from anemia. Diarrhea, on the other hand...
This dish basically consists of dull red raw beef embellished with sprigs of mint.
But since the beef is not bloody enough on its own, the salad is fortified with a thick dressing of extra raw blood.
It goes against what most of us consider common dining knowledge: it's not safe to eat raw beef mixed with uncooked blood.
Why some people love it: Nothing says manly like a spoon full of spiced blood paired with a nice big mug of ice-filled beer.
3. Som Tam Hoy Dong
Som tam hoy dong: Papaya salad with a revolting twist.
Whether it's the idea of eating fermented oysters soaked in blood red goop or the fear of eating a dish that is almost certain to result in a severe case of diarrhea, most foreigners and even quite a few Thais are reluctant to dine on som tam hoy dong.
Why some people love it: Judging by the fans of this dish that I've spoken with, the appeal of fermented oysters most likely develops in the early childhood years and sticks with them for life.
4. Gong Chae Nam Pla
Stop looking at me, prawn.
Raw mantis prawns soaked in fish sauce are a mean looking dish. Their claws, tentacles and bulging eyes stare at you as you attempt to slurp down their slimy flesh.
To make the experience even worse, it's very easy to stab yourself as you reach your tongue into the shell to suck it all down.
Why some people love it: It's salty, fishy, spicy and slimy. If you find that combination of textures and tastes is alluring, you'll love goong chae nam pla.
5. Larb Mote Daeng
Ants aren't just for anteaters. Larb Mote Daeng might just be Thailand's most under-rated dish.
Red ants and their eggs are prized trophies in a number of Thai dishes.
Blindfold a person, feed them a bite of red ant larb, and they will usually say it's delicious.
But unfortunately, it's purely the idea of eating ant eggs that's to blame for most people's revulsion.
Why some people love it: Red ants eat mango leaves so their bodies taste like a squirt of lime. Their eggs, on the other hand, are fatty, like precious morsels of rich butter.
