From French onion soup in France to Ebi katsu prawn burger in Japan, a few travellers tell Avril-Ann Braganza about the smelliest foods they've tried
Kimchi in Korea
A local Korean pickle, the Korean kimchi is a traditional side dish made with vegetables and a variety of seasoning, but it has an unbelievably offensive odour. Spicy and eaten with rice, Kimchi is generally cabbage that is left to ferment, because of which the smell is really strong and pungent. But once you get used to it the taste, it's not so bad. While the main ingredients of Korean kimchi are Korean cabbage and raddish, you can make different types of kimchi Ingredients substituting the main ingredient. Some of the main ingredients used are spicy vegetables such as parsley, mustard leaf, garlic, green onion and ginger. Pickled fish and powdered red pepper are also added to give kimchi its unique flavours.
Ebi katsu prawn burger in Japan
If you're in Japan and you're a fan of raw food, try the Ebi katsu prawn burger. It's a normal burger bun with pointed cabbage, Japanese herbs and a patty of prawns which are practically raw inside. With one full tiger prawn including the head, shell and the digestive vein as well as smaller pieces of tiger prawns with shell et al, the burger is crunchy. You might have to wrestle with your burger as the raw prawn is rubbery and tough to bite. The prawn makes it a bit smelly.
Bamboo shoot and axone in Nagaland
Bamboo shoot and axone is another notoriously smelly dish. A Naga speciality, but common in other parts of the north east as well it is usually cooked with raja mircha which makes it really spicy. While the smell is overwhelming, it is considered a delicacy. While there are a number of people who may love this dish, if you ask some, they may tell you it smells like feet.
French onion soup in France
If you're up for some authentic French cuisine minus the snails, try some French onion soup... if you can hold your breath while you eat it. With a pungent odour just like onions and a muddy colour, it might be a put-off for the eyes and nose. But it tastes quite alright and is definitely edible with some good French bread on the side. It has a strong onion flavour and is a bit spicy compared to other European dishes.
With inputs from Clyde Mendes, Beverley Noronha and Saylee Sholapurkar
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