12 Of The Stinkiest Foods In The World
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

12 Of The Stinkiest Foods In The World

Reading this article will make you want to plug your nose.

1357
12 Of The Stinkiest Foods In The World
Pexels

For some people, there's nothing like splitting open a freshly picked durian, its pungent odor nearly asphyxiating one's olfactory nerves. Durian isn't the globe's only stinky staple; in fact, various populations and cultures around the world consume items that many would deem gag-worthy. So just what sort of ferociously fragrant foods am I alluding to? Well, I'm about to reveal to you the top 12 stinkiest foods on the planet.

1. Century Egg

"Where does this egg receive its almost nightmarish look?" you may be wondering. The dark, menacing color is a result of a sort of egg fermentation process. An egg is placed inside of a mushy concoction of tea, clay, lime, ash and salt, only to be retrieved for consumption multiple years later. Because of how long the egg remains in the paste, it has been dubbed the "century egg." This mummified, hard-boiled source of fright, which possesses a strong fragrance of urine, is consumed in a handful of Southeast Asian countries.

2. Doenjang

Imagine eating a way stinkier, Asian version of marmite. That's Doenjang. This fermented soybean paste is a regular part of Korean cuisine, and its flavor is described as savory. Now, Doenjang may be more palatable than our friend the century egg; however, your nose may not be so accustomed to it's somewhat high-school laboratory-like smell: an ammonia-esque zing.

3. Hakarl

"One man's delicacy is another man's vomit-inducing stimulus," should be the tagline of this dish. Made in Iceland, Hakarl is fermented shark meat. Though the cute display above seems like a friendly assortment of cheeses, do not be fooled: eating Hakarl is like consuming a solidified tube of ammonia.

4. Iru

Nothing like a refreshing bite of fermented locust beans! Don't worry, this intimidating paste isn't meant to be consumed with a spoon; rather, Iru is popularly used as a seasoning for soups and stews, particularly by the Yoruba people in Nigeria.

5. Kimchi

The Korean origins of Kimchi have been disseminated across the globe and can be found in most grocery stores. Though this combination of fermented vegetables contains a pungent punch, kimchi has numerous health benefits.

6. Kiviak

To put it straight, Kiviak looks like a surgery gone wrong (and smells like one). For some people, the above image is just plain horrifying; for others (the Greenlanders), the sight of chopped baby birds resting inside the open gullet of a decayed seal is just as mouth-watering as a double cheeseburger.

7. Limburger Cheese

Limburger cheese might sound like an up-scale dairy oasis, but it's actually one of the world's most stinky cheeses. The strong smell of Limburger cheese is attributed to the same bacteria that causes human body odor.

8. Lutefisk

Lutefisk (aka 'lye fish') has its origins in Nordic cuisine. The dish is composed of soak-dried whitefish that is placed in lye, which gives it a gelatinous taste (and stench).

9. Natto

Imagine a galaxy in some far-away universe called Disgustica, and in Disgustica, the evil twin of the Rice Krispie treat was invented: a gooey, sticky concoction not of sweet sugar and rice, but of fermented soybeans. In Japan, people eat Natto regularly and often complement the dish with sushi or miso soup. I'm guessing that the aroma of soup masks the sweaty sock odor of Natto.

10. Surstromming

Lovers of Swedish Fish, prepare to be disappointed that Surstromming is not exactly your favorite candy. That is, unless you enjoy incredibly fermented, odorous herring.

11. Stinky Tofu

As the name implies, this tofu is incredibly stinky. Why? Well, for starters, the fermented milk brine in which it soaks is said to get so rotten that maggots even swarm in it. But that's not even the worst part. People have reported that chemicals and even human waste have been used by vendors to allow the tofu to acquire the perfect stinky taste as fast as possible. Mmm. Delightful.

12. Vieux Boulogne Cheese

In 2004, expert olfactory researchers at the Cranfield University in Bedfordshire, United Kingdom, decided that Vieux Boulogne is the smelliest cheese on the planet. It's smell closely resembles shit, for lack of a better word.

Now that you've been informed of some of the worlds stinkiest foods, you can take this knowledge with you on your trip abroad and spare yourself a rancid meal!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

54837
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

35281
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

957467
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

184110
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments