Did you know you could eat boiled silkworm larvae? Not as a Fear Factor challenge, but as a snack. It looks hideous and smells even worse but is surprisingly edible. Of course, it might be the alcohol that dulls the effect (silk worm larvae is served as a popular snack in Korean bars). But it’s not bad and there are many interesting dishes out there that could, it’s awful only in name. Here’s our choice of some of the most palate-broadening world dishes you can try right here in South Africa….
 
Raw, diced and roasted in Jo’burg

Johannesburg is a good place to start for tastebud stretching. The professional, concrete jungle reputation means you’ll probably get more points for trying strange food there than anywhere else. Armourer’s in Benoni doesn’t specialise in odd dishes but they do have one Austrian dish that stands out as particularly adventurous.  Beuschel. It consists of the lung and heart of the cow. It’s served in winter and is popular with the Austrian clients. The thing about this dish is it’s not as ghastly as it sounds. The organs are chopped into bits that look nothing like their original selves.
 
In Jozi still, sample Belgian cuisine, Steak Tartare. A hilarious Mr Bean skit involving this raw steak dish springs to mind. The steak is minced and blended with capers and herbs. You can get this dish at Carvers in Randburg. They serve other very mainstream Belgian food, but how many people in Randburg can boast about eating raw (not rare) steak? Go ahead, give it a try.
 

Get ready for a Jozi eel

Speaking of surprises in Johannesburg, who knew you could find eels there? Ruby Grapefruit in Parkhurst makes meals out the sea snakes. They put two pieces of eel on top of a portion of steamed rice and arrange them like bow ties. Served warm, eel is not at all frightening.
 
Alive, crocodiles are fearsome. But at the Carnivore Johannesburg in Krugersdorp, it’s waiting for you in the fire, gently roasting along with the pork, lamb, beef and a surprising range of game meats including giraffe, impala and zebra. Earn your stripes and try a crocodile roast with pap and sauce or a baked potato instead.
 
All you can eat China

If you can’t go to China, how about Cape Town’s Mainland China restaurant? Noodles are so obvious, try dim sum. It’s a variety of food: meat, seafood, vegetables, egg dishes, etc served at once. This way you can find out what you really like and order it the next time you’re in one of the many Chinese restaurants around the country.
 
If the French like it…

Durban’s Umhlanga Rocks is great vacation spot and offers yet another opportunity to shock the tongue. The Isle Maurice offers French cuisine that includes two rabbit dishes. Rabbit is a controversial meal because of the cutesy factor. Other than that, rabbit marinated in red wine or grilled and served with French fries is a revelation. And you don’t need to go all the way to France to find out.

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