Balut, the Philippines

If you’re in search of disgusting food facts, look no further. In the Philippines, a popular thing to eat is balut. This fertilised duck egg is boiled alive and then eaten from the shell with salt, chilli and vinegar – including the partly developed embryo inside.

You’re supposed to tap a hole in the top of the shell, sup the savoury liquid and then crunch down the rest of what’s inside – feathers, bones and all. It’s unsurprising that Filipino balut might not sound overly appealing, but it is a duck egg delicacy for a reason…

Shirako, Japan

As euphemisms go, this one’s a corker: Japanese shirako means “white children”. The delicacy it refers to are the sperm sacs of either cod, angler fish or puffer fish. It’s a weird-looking food: looking like white blobs of goo or miniature brains, they are said to have a sweet custardy taste. Those who enjoy eating this unusual snack argue that shirako boasts a number of health benefits… tempted yet?

Japan is also home to a number of weird vending machines, serving the likes of beer, bananas and live crab! Before you go, find out more fascinating facts about Japan. When you’re there, try a Street food-hopping tour in Osaka, the so-called Kitchen of Japan, to explore further.

White ant eggs soup, Laos

One of the world’s more unusual soups, Laos’ Gaeng Kai Mot Daeng combines a mixture of ant eggs and partial embryos from the white ant, plus a few baby ants to add sourness. If your stomach can handle it, the flavour is supposedly quite tasty: sharp and delicate, and a little like shrimp. Still unsure? Just pretend you’re eating a bowl of risotto.

Want to try cooking some Laotian delicacies yourself? Take a tour from Luang Prabang and learn to cook traditional Hmong cuisine.

Ahead of your trip, read our Laos travel tips for planning and on the go.