There are a lot of weird dishes to experience in this world — some of which could deliver a swift food culture shock for the person eating it. Every person and culture is unique in how food is prepared and eaten. Cultural food is the perfect example representing the people who create and eat it. However, some dishes are so strange that when foreigners experience them, a shock might happen to their understanding of the food.
Before judging, you have to experience the food culture first. If you are a fan of Pulp Fiction (1994), you might remember how mayonnaise and French fries, one of the European weird food combos, were talked about. But judging from the people who have tried it, it’s good, even better sometimes. If a person is one to critique different food cultures, it’s important to remember the rule of strange dishes — they might not be so disgusting when you taste them and close your eyes.
So, if you're trying to learn more about the many types of food cultures that might shock you — look no further than the list below. We compiled a lot of strange, tasty, and slightly unusual food combos that delivered quite a shock to the people eating them. If the answer intrigues your taste buds, leave an upvote on it so that others can see it faster. On the other hand, if you’ve had a shocking food-related moment, share it in the comments below.
#41
TGTickleGames said:
"Went into a Greggs down south and asked for a meat and potato pasty. Woman looked at me with confusion and disgust like I'd slapped a child. Worst 4 years of my life living down south."
"Went into a Greggs down south and asked for a meat and potato pasty. Woman looked at me with confusion and disgust like I'd slapped a child. Worst 4 years of my life living down south."
Octavya360 replied:
"We eat Pasties in Michigan. They’re basically like a pot pie, except the crust is folded over like a sandwich so you can eat it with your hands. They’re usually filled with ground beef or venison, potatoes, onions or turnips and carrots. Wives of miners and loggers packed them in their husbands lunchboxes because they were very portable and a hearty tasty meal to keep you going during a long day of manual labor."
"We eat Pasties in Michigan. They’re basically like a pot pie, except the crust is folded over like a sandwich so you can eat it with your hands. They’re usually filled with ground beef or venison, potatoes, onions or turnips and carrots. Wives of miners and loggers packed them in their husbands lunchboxes because they were very portable and a hearty tasty meal to keep you going during a long day of manual labor."
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24points
#42
"I'm Canadian, but when I went on a school trip to France and Italy I had a classmate who complained at every single place we ate that they didn't have chicken fingers and fries on the menu."
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24points
#43
Oburcuk said:
"I realized how many freebies we get in the US. Free refills, as much ketchup as you want in fast food places, free toilets, etc. in Europe, you have to pay for everything. I got used to it."
"I realized how many freebies we get in the US. Free refills, as much ketchup as you want in fast food places, free toilets, etc. in Europe, you have to pay for everything. I got used to it."
leona121 replied:
"I remember my first time I went to Europe (Poland) and had to take a crap and didn't have any money on me. That sucked. Also, I remember while out drinking, a fellow traveler asked me for money because she was about to piss her pants."
"I remember my first time I went to Europe (Poland) and had to take a crap and didn't have any money on me. That sucked. Also, I remember while out drinking, a fellow traveler asked me for money because she was about to piss her pants."
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23points
#44
Sarnick18 said:
"Not mine but in college I had a roommate from Australia who was studying abroad in America. We went out to dinner one night and I got mozzarella sticks. He could not believe we just deep fried cheese and then eat it."
"Not mine but in college I had a roommate from Australia who was studying abroad in America. We went out to dinner one night and I got mozzarella sticks. He could not believe we just deep fried cheese and then eat it."
poopellar replied:
"I was watching an American tv channel and it was showing the scenes around some carnival in some town and my jaw dropped at the food that was being served. It seemed like the only thing that differentiated the various food stands was what was being deep friend at each one. I think they even deep fried a donut."
"I was watching an American tv channel and it was showing the scenes around some carnival in some town and my jaw dropped at the food that was being served. It seemed like the only thing that differentiated the various food stands was what was being deep friend at each one. I think they even deep fried a donut."
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23points
#45
KamikazeAlpaca1 said:
"In America eating extremely sugary deserts for breakfast. Doughnuts, most cereals, pop tarts, all contain huge amounts of sugar and often little nutrition. There is literally Oreo cookie cereal kids eat for breakfast."
"In America eating extremely sugary deserts for breakfast. Doughnuts, most cereals, pop tarts, all contain huge amounts of sugar and often little nutrition. There is literally Oreo cookie cereal kids eat for breakfast."
iceunelle replied:
"I'll be honest, I don't know any adults who actually eat super sugary cereals or donuts or anything like that in the US. As a kid I definitely at Cookie Crisp and Fruit loops sometimes, which is 100% sugar."
"I'll be honest, I don't know any adults who actually eat super sugary cereals or donuts or anything like that in the US. As a kid I definitely at Cookie Crisp and Fruit loops sometimes, which is 100% sugar."
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22points
#47
"Going to America and realising almost no one has kettles for making a cup of tea."
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22points
#48
SpaniardCooks said:
"German men don't chat while they eat."
"German men don't chat while they eat."
superduck231 replied:
"In my experience no Germans do, they eat really fast and you talk when you are done eating. It makes a lot of sense to me, but it was kind of shocking when I first got there."
"In my experience no Germans do, they eat really fast and you talk when you are done eating. It makes a lot of sense to me, but it was kind of shocking when I first got there."
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21points
#49
earstorm said:
"As a Czech person, my American wife was blown away that we let kids in pubs or bars."
"As a Czech person, my American wife was blown away that we let kids in pubs or bars."
HelenaKelleher replied:
"To be honest, I do like being in "adult-only" spaces in American bars. they're allowed in every pub and bar? In the US, honestly, probably has a lot more to do with "since our drinking age is so high, we want to keep teens from stealing people's unfinished drinks," but the bonus of being able to smoke on a bar patio without gassing some kids (i never smoke near children) is a nice benefit."
"To be honest, I do like being in "adult-only" spaces in American bars. they're allowed in every pub and bar? In the US, honestly, probably has a lot more to do with "since our drinking age is so high, we want to keep teens from stealing people's unfinished drinks," but the bonus of being able to smoke on a bar patio without gassing some kids (i never smoke near children) is a nice benefit."
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20points
#50
"I love America, but after non-stop traveling abroad for a few years there are a few things I wish we had back at home. Public drinking. They have it in Japan, and I really loved it when I was in Korea. Seoul is a beautiful city where people like to hang out into the wee hours of the morning drinking, eating fried chicken, and playing music on a well-lit lawn."
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19points
#51
User No 1 said:
"I visited Albania and there wasn't a single chain store or restaurant. That may sound banal but it was a strange experience to be in a large city and be completely unable to get a McDonald's, Subway, KFC or Starbucks."
"I visited Albania and there wasn't a single chain store or restaurant. That may sound banal but it was a strange experience to be in a large city and be completely unable to get a McDonald's, Subway, KFC or Starbucks."
mixmatch1122 replied:
"Similar in Bosnia although McDonalds opened 5-6 years ago IIRC. It's just that the local fast foods are much better and cheaper."
"Similar in Bosnia although McDonalds opened 5-6 years ago IIRC. It's just that the local fast foods are much better and cheaper."
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18points
#52
"Every State I have been too, (Florida, Nevada, California, Arizona) never have white vinegar out on the table at restaurants. White vinegar in Canada is used on tons of stuff but when you ask for it in the states you get looked at like you have ten heads. Also have no idea if real people in America actually do this but on American talk shows whenever a guest is introduced they exchange a kiss on the cheek. That is the weirdest thing ever."
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18points
#54
howwouldiknow-- said:
"The different kinds of flavors for beverages. I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. Just so you guys know, I enjoyed having multiple options, until I came to the US I had no idea I liked Blue Raspberry flavored soda and I found out that I liked to mix different kinds of sodas from the fountain and make a cocktail soda occasionally.
"The different kinds of flavors for beverages. I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. Just so you guys know, I enjoyed having multiple options, until I came to the US I had no idea I liked Blue Raspberry flavored soda and I found out that I liked to mix different kinds of sodas from the fountain and make a cocktail soda occasionally.
Edit: Also, I like how you guys have a s**t ton of flavors for your alcohol. I liked a lot of them but to be honest I didn't enjoy the whipped cream flavored stuff."
Substantial-Ad-7406 replied:
"There's a market in my downtown area that has an entire section of craft sodas. A pop for any flavor you can think of. Even bacon... I don't recommend that one..."
"There's a market in my downtown area that has an entire section of craft sodas. A pop for any flavor you can think of. Even bacon... I don't recommend that one..."
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16points
#55
"How much people drink beer in the Czech Republic. You cannot get a non alcoholic drink in a bar cheaper than a beer. And then I looked it up and low and behold, the Czech's have the highest beer consumption in the whole world."
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15points
#56
wuroh7 said:
"Tipping in general is taboo in Japan. They see it as an insult."
"Tipping in general is taboo in Japan. They see it as an insult."
RoosterClan replied:
"As a former waiter, I detested whenever I had Japanese customers because they never left any tip. European tourists as well because they customarily only tip 8-10% as opposed to 17-20% Americans tip."
"As a former waiter, I detested whenever I had Japanese customers because they never left any tip. European tourists as well because they customarily only tip 8-10% as opposed to 17-20% Americans tip."
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14points
#57
"Entrees. Entree means starter in the rest of the world, calling it the main course is confusing and willful ignorance at this point. US fast food is amazing and totally explains 3."
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13points
