17 Snacks You’ll Never Pick Up Twice

Once is enough for these seventeen snacks. Whether it’s the taste, the texture, or just the mental image, these foods prove that curiosity isn’t always a good thing. Ready to walk on the wild side… once?

Shiokara

This Japanese dish mixes marine animal innards with a briny sauce. It’s salty, funky, and unforgettable—but not in a way that makes you want more.

Hákarl

Fermented shark from Iceland smells like cleaning supplies and tastes just as intense. Local tradition demands a bite, but most people never return for seconds.

Mopane Worms

Crispy or chewy depending on preparation, these caterpillars are a southern African staple. The experience is unique, but one helping is usually enough for visitors.

Mouse Wine

Rice wine infused with baby mice is a medicinal drink in parts of China. Most people tell the story once, and never go back for a second glass.

Stink Bugs

Crunchy and pungent, stink bugs are eaten in Africa and South America. Most people need a big gulp of water just to get through the first, and final, bite.

Fried Spider

This Cambodian treat might sound crunchy and fun until you’re staring at the legs. Try it once for the story, but odds are you won’t crave it again.

Jellied Moose Nose

A northern delicacy that’s wobbly, savory, and a real test of willpower. Most diners politely decline seconds.

Tequila Worm

It’s the stuff of legends—and party dares. Eating the worm from a bottle of mezcal is a one-time badge of honor that doesn’t come with repeat requests.

Beondegi

Silkworm pupae are loved by some in Korea, but for first-timers, the smell and texture are enough to make the first serving the last.

Guinea Pig (Cuy)

Roasted whole and served up at festivals, guinea pig is a rite of passage in the Andes. For tourists, one try usually covers a lifetime.

Black Pudding

Blood sausage is a breakfast classic in the UK, but for many outside the region, the experience is enough to call it quits after one go.

Escamol

Ant larvae, creamy and nutty, are considered a delicacy in Mexico. For most, it’s an eat-and-run situation—curiosity satisfied in a single sitting.

Century Egg

This Chinese preserved egg has a look and aroma all its own. After the first bite, most Westerners agree that once is enough.

Rocky Mountain Oysters

Bull testicles served fried at fairs and bars. The story lasts forever, but repeat visits to the plate are rare.

Balut

Fertilized duck egg is a favorite snack in the Philippines, but many outsiders swear one is more than enough for a lifetime.

Blood Soup (Dinuguan)

This Filipino pork blood stew is thick and rich, but the strong iron aftertaste sends many diners looking for something milder next time.

Bat Soup

Bats in broth is an experience few forget—and most only attempt once. The visual alone keeps this dish from becoming a regular craving.