The Weirdest Things We’ve Eaten on Our Family Travels

Camel Spleen Sandwich

One of the best (and sometimes strangest) parts of travel is trying local food. Some dishes are delicious, some are an acquired taste, and some are just downright bizarre. Over the course of our family’s travels, we’ve eaten a lot of unique things—some we enjoyed, some we merely survived. Here are the top five weirdest things we’ve eaten on our adventures traveling.

1. Camel Spleen – Morocco

When you think of Moroccan cuisine, you probably picture fragrant tagines, fluffy couscous, and sweet mint tea. But in the bustling markets of Marrakech, we found something a little more adventurous: camel spleen. Ash had a friend tell him he had to try it, so of course, we found a vendor and gave it a shot. Often stuffed with spices and minced meat, then grilled or fried, camel spleen has a rich, almost liver-like texture. The first bite was a little intimidating, but once we got past the idea of what we were eating, it was surprisingly flavorful. That said, we wouldn’t order it again—there are plenty of other Moroccan dishes we prefer!

2. Witchetty Grub – Australia

In the Australian Outback, the indigenous people have been eating witchetty grubs for centuries. These fat, white larvae are packed with protein and have a surprisingly nutty flavor when eaten raw, though they can also be roasted for a crispier texture. We were hesitant at first (because, well, it’s a giant grub), but once we got past the squirm factor, it was actually mild and not nearly as bad as we expected. The kids, however, said an emphatic “no” to this one and refused to try it!

3. Sannakji (Live Octopus) – South Korea

This one might have been the weirdest experience of all. In South Korea, sannakji is served fresh—so fresh that the octopus is still moving when it arrives at your table. It’s chopped into small pieces and drizzled with sesame oil, but the tentacles continue to wriggle and squirm as you try to pick them up with chopsticks. Eating sannakji is a challenge because the suction cups still work, meaning they’ll stick to your tongue and the roof of your mouth! It’s chewy, slightly salty, and really just tastes like the ocean. The kids took one look at it and immediately said, “No way!”—we couldn’t even convince them to try a tiny bite.

4. Guinea Pig – Peru

In the Andes, guinea pig (or cuy) is a traditional delicacy, often roasted whole and served with potatoes and vegetables. While the rest of us politely declined, Ash bravely took one for the team and gave it a try. The verdict? It tastes like a mix between rabbit and dark chicken meat, with a crispy, well-seasoned skin. While it’s a cultural staple in Peru, we couldn’t quite get past the fact that guinea pigs are pets back home and that it was served wearing a hat. Still, Ash gets major points for courage.

5. Conch Pistol – Turks and Caicos

We love conch fritters, conch salad, and basically anything conch-related—but on a boat tour in Turks and Caicos, we were offered something a little different: the conch pistol. This slimy, translucent part of the conch is said to be an aphrodisiac, though most people just eat it for the experience. The texture was gelatinous and a little tough, and it had a strong, briny seafood flavor. The kids, however, described it as tasting like a "salty gummy bear"—not exactly a rave review.

Weird Foods from Our Family Travel

Trying weird foods is part of the adventure of travel. Sometimes we’re pleasantly surprised, and other times we’re just proud of ourselves for giving it a shot. But one thing is for sure: these unique culinary experiences make for some of our best travel stories. Would you try any of these?