Pop Japan

Setting aside the yummy treats we have known from Japan, let us look closer at the exotic and eccentic food served from the land of sushi and ramen.

Here's what they can offer: those that sound gross but definitely a must-try for a gastronomic thrill.

1. Whale (Kujira)- Japan has been known to eat whale meat. It was a staple food then, until they can already eat four-legged mammals. But since different protests have been pushed to ban whaling, the Japanese only eat whale meat during occassions in little amount.

Photo by: Zenwort. Licensed under Creative Commons.

2. Natto- It is basically a fermented soybean dish, which has sticky texture, bad smell and taste. However, it is still a staple in Japanese cuisine. These beans are believed to improve skin and bone health.

Photo by: JD. Licensed under Creative Commons.

3. Fugu- The poisonous pufferfish can only be eaten in Japan when served by licensed Fugu chefs.

Photo by: spaztacular. Licensed under Creative Commons.

4. Eel (Unagi)- Although it sounds weird, but unagi (eel) is actually a delicacy in Japan. The most common dish is grilled eel.

Photo by: katorisi. Licensed under Creative Commons.

5. Horse meat (basashi)- Surprisingly, the Japanese eats this RAW. It is usually served cold (that's how they deal with bacteria). Kumamoto is the best place to try basashi.

Photo by: katorisi. Licensed under Creative Commons.

6. Sashimi- Anything eaten raw is peculiar and weird. So if you haven't tried eating anything raw, sashimi could be a good starting point.

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7. Shirako- If you are a pretty adventurous eater, well, try shirako, which is the milt or sperm of fish. Just think of it as the male version of caviar. Hint: It tastes buttery. It just sounds uncomfortable telling your friends what you ate.

Photo by: Arashiyama. Licensed under Creative Commons.

8. Octopus- Octopus or tako, is just fine if you'll eat it inside your favorite takoyaki, cooked. But, eating baby octopus alive with its tentacles moving and slowly crawling down to your throat sounds pretty disgusting.

Photo by: Tjeerd Wiersma. Licensed under Creative Commons.

9. Wasp crackers- Adding extra flavor, wasp flavor, to your plain cookie is just another bizaare snack. Find it in stores in Omachi.

Photo by: Foodfanatic83. Licensed under Creative Commons.

10. Ice Cream with Snake Flavor- This is the oddest of the odd flavors of ice cream in Japan. Buzzfeed reports, according to a user review, the ice cream smells like an old shoe when you open up the lid, and tastes like rotten garlic and cardboard when you eat it. It also comes with weird flavors: ox, charcoal, wasabi, octopus, yakisoba, ramen, horse meat, and a lot more!

In one point in your life, you must try tasting these kind on food just for the sake of experience and fun. Be weird, eat weird!