Europe’s Most Infamous Dishes to Avoid on Your Holiday
Luckily, the borders are open again, so holiday trips can go ahead as usual this summer. We completely understand if, like our colleague Adeline, you actually plan your entire trip around the (potential) food. But when you’re staring at an incomprehensible menu, just think back to these warnings…
You’ll have a great time touring Europe in search of dishes you might be better off avoiding. Of course, everyone has their own tastes! But our know-before-you-go series can really come in handy if you’d rather not unknowingly wolf down an omelette made of brains… These local dishes are also a source of bewilderment for many tourists:
Canned bear
Our former colleague Emma was generous enough to try canned mock duck so no one else would have to. We can see whether she’d be willing to try canned bear if she ever heads to Finland… Bear?? Yes, bear. And otherwise moose. (You may now squeeze your eyes shut, stick your fingers in your ears and sing Frozen songs very loudly).
Fermented shark
Had enough of the thirty-degree temperatures South Europe is likely to reach (and probably the Netherlands too…)? Let’s stay in Nordic territory for a moment with Hakarl. Fermented shark, which also appeared on our list of the world’s smelliest dishes. Perhaps not coincidentally, there is quite a bit of overlap between Europe’s most, er, unusual dishes and those with the most terrible smells. Casu Marzu, for example; the maggot cheese eaten in Sardinia, can safely be added to both lists.
German blood soup
We warned you about this before, but hey, a person warned twice counts for four? And we have a feeling that, because it’s close by, Germany will be a very popular holiday destination this summer, so every four people who know about it is a bonus. What is it? Blood soup. Not funny. It’s also known as ‘every vegan’s nightmare’.
Brain cookies, anyone?
Creier Pane, not for the sensitive types either. From the outside, it still looks like a lovely fried chicken thigh or perhaps a potato pancake; but when you cut open that beautiful Romanian breaded snack, you discover that you really have brain cookies in front of you.
Not for dummies
Brains, did someone say? Yep, Portugal also dutifully participates in the (rather admirable) zero-waste culture. You’ll find that aforementioned brain omelette on the menu here as Omelete de Mioreila, remember?
Something with offal, lots of offal
And don’t let anything stop you from travelling to France the good old-fashioned old school way again this summer. ?Non, non, rien n’a changé: andouillette, tête de veau and perhaps even Black Saturday are still waiting for you!
Also read:
Image of canned bear: Wikimedia
