For those who have lived on hamburgers and French fries all their lives, the prospect of eating something exotic may be frightening. 

Foods that some may consider exotic are perfectly acceptable in their native cultures.

For example, in the Philippines, there is a delicacy called Balut, which is a fertilized duck egg still containing the duck embryo.

“When you eat Balut, you can still see the feathers and bones of the duck,” said sophomore Kyra Uson. “Balut sounds gross, but it’s actually very good.”

Kyra said Balut can be bought on the streets of the Philippines and is pretty commonplace.

Senior Bernadette Faller said there is another dish in the Philippines called Dinuguan, which is cooked pig blood with beef.

Spanish teacher Jamie Brindley has experienced exotic food in many of the countries she has visited.

“In Peru, they served guinea pigs on a rotisserie in the shop windows,” said Brindley. “And when I was in Australia, I had kangaroo and crocodile meat.”

Junior Annahfa Hingano said that on her native island of Tonga, located in the South Pacific Ocean, the islanders grow most of their own food and green bananas are very common.

Common dishes in Tonga include Lu Pulu, baked terra leaves wrapped around corn beef and coconut milk, or To Pai, mashed tapioca with coconut milk and caramelized sugar.

Sophomore Mo Sabliny said that in the Middle East, there is a common dish called Manaesh with Zahtar.

“It is basically pita bead with a special mix called Zahtar,” said Mo. “You put the Zahtar on the pita bread and you can add onions, tomatoes and cucumbers.”

As for drinks in the Middle East, freshmen Aryan Akbari said there is an Iranian drink called dough.

“You make it by letting yogurt sour and then mixing it with water, salt, mint and cream,” said Aryan. “It’s supposed to be salty.”

In Sri Lanka, there is a very unique dish called Kiribath, literally meaning “milk bath.”

“Kiribath is made with rice and coconut milk and sometimes raisins and nuts,” said sophomore Andrew Rasiah. “You usually see it in important holidays, especially New Year’s.”

French teacher Barbara Lafaver is also aware of unfamiliar delicacies.

“When my friend was in Japan, he tried this type of puffer fish and if the chef does not clean it out correctly, it means certain death,” said Lafaver.

This type of puffer fish is called Fugu and is a popular dish in Japan.

Along with exotic food, many cultures also have specific eating habits or dietary rules.

“Jabbing your chopsticks into the rice is how you prepare food as an offering to your ancestors,” said Daniel. “Doing so at the dinner table, however, is considered impolite.”

Spanish teacher Julie Gilbert said eating habits in Spain are very unique.

Because some cultures are vastly different from our own, it is easy to find many of their dishes or eating habits odd.

“I’m quite a picky eater,” said sophomore Erin Drake. “I’d actually prefer just sticking to meals that I already know that I enjoy.”

Andrew  believes people should learn about new cultures.

“I believe that  people should be more open to various types of food,” said Kyra. “This will allow them to better appreciate different cultures.”