Weird Seafood Dishes from Around the World (and What You Might Want to Try Instead)
Posted on: 24 February 2016
Australia has some of the best seafood in the world. Having said that, there are some bizarre types of food that you might easily find at a seafood restaurant in other parts of the world. While these dishes might sound fascinating, you might not necessarily want to try them. So what are some of the weirdest seafood dishes from around the world, and what might you want to try instead?
Regenerating Crab Claws
The Florida Stone Crab has a remarkable ability. If its claws are removed, the crab will simply grow new ones. They're not readily available in Australia, but in other countries the crab's claws are very precisely lopped off and cooked. The crab then regrows its claws, ready for the next customer. This is only really viable when the crab is kept in a tank. While this process happens in the wild, a clawless crab is generally not able to fend for itself.
What You Might Want to Try Instead: Crabmeat is always delicious, and if you order a wonderful Australian Mud Crab, you get to eat the whole thing, resulting in more meat for your money.
Live Shrimp
Popular in Japan (where it's known as Odori Ebi), it's a very simple dish to prepare. Small shrimps are covered in sauce and are then eaten live. They need to be small so that the shell (along with the legs and antennae) can be swallowed without any problems. It's apparently an amazing sensory experience as the shrimps are still moving as you swallow them.
What You Might Want to Try Instead: There's a Chinese version of the dish which has been modified for Western palates. Known as Drunken Shrimp, the shrimps are doused with sweet alcohol which is then set on fire, flash-cooking the meat. Sauce is then added and the shrimps are eaten. Don't worry, the shrimps are not in fact alive when they're set on fire.
Jellyfish
Most species of jellyfish are not in fact endangered, meaning consuming them can be an environmentally friendly choice. The texture is like something that you've never experienced before, and the rubbery meat tastes like a fish/zucchini hybrid.
What You Might Want to Try Instead: Why don't you actually try this odd delicacy? Jellyfish is not a common sight on Australian menus, but it can be found in some seafood restaurants. Opt for a jellyfish dish where the flesh has been dried and salted. This results in more taste, and the rubbery texture of the flesh isn't quite such a strange sensation.
These dishes might be for more adventurous diners, and if they don't tempt you, then not to worry. There's always the good old Aussie King Prawn, which can be prepared in almost every way imaginable.
Share