Eating beetles and bugs in Chiang Mai, Oh My!

in #travel7 years ago

"EWWWW! GROSS!"

Pete wore a wolfish grin as he offered the dead bug to Corine. "NO!" - She squealed as she backed away, warding him off like he was a vampire out for blood.

"Oh, come on!", he growled. "It can't be that bad! Here, let me show you." He said, throwing the insect into his mouth.
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We could hear the crunch, crunch crunch then swallow. Corine had her hand over her mouth, looking like she would cry. I prayed she would, so I wouldn't be the only one in tears. "Ha! See? Easy!" He spat, what I think might have been a tiny leg. He slapped me on the back and held the bag of insects open for me. "Your turn! HA HA HA HA!"

Food markets in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a haven of good food. Every night, and morning, stalls open serving fruit, shakes, meat of every kind, sweets and drinks. Pete, however had found a stall that was both disturbing and fascinating. He waited for me to pick from what looked like beetles, grass-hoppers, silk worms and crickets - all laid out like a fruit salad of insects.
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I picked a beetle (I think) and slid it into my mouth and chewed, and swallowed. It tasted bitter, and crunchy, and somewhat like nuts and chicken all at once. Why would anybody want this?
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"HA!" Pete said, slapping my back again and shoving the bag in my face. "Have another one!". I sighed and picked a cricket this time. Between us, we ate the whole bag of insects. Some were interesting, others were bitter and some tasted like nuts.

Corine thought we were nuts...

Food Heaven

Chiang Mai has something for everyone, when it comes to food. Night markets spring in different parts of the city daily, and offer you an array of food the likes we had never seen before.

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credit: breanna wilson

The flavours are distinct, the textures varied.
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Chiang Mai is an amazing city to visit. Make sure you go through the night markets, and if you do find a stall with insects, do give it a try. You might be surprised how good it tastes.
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you my friend is officially a "BUG MAN" a superhero that afraid of nothing
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I wish I had his bravery to eat such things!

You eat bugs, bugs eat you. :-)
#randomartofkindness

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I've never eaten bugs. I'm curious. But they've had me for lunch and for dinner way too many times. I even avoid some locations because of how in pain I was when I left because of the little mosquitoes. I'm almost traumatized. :O

Ew gross, bugs haha. great content. You got an upvote from Luke Steemwalker @investing Follow me back

HAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAH YES 👍✨❗

LOL SO YUCKY!!

Hasdhasdhasdhashdhasdhasd damnnnnnnnn, so bad!

Ew! Wish I didn’t see that 🙈🙊

Hey there, nice one!
Chiang Mai is a great City, nice to see another fan!
The first time I tried insects in Peru I was pretty scared, but actually it´s not disgusting at all. Most times I tried insects I liked it, may sound a bit weird, but true.
I think the problem is that ´the eye also eats´.

Good luck to you!
I wanted to write an article about Iquitos in case you know it, otherwise have a look it´s a great place to visit.

I tried snake in Siem Reap, Cambodia... I'm not sure if snakes have bones, but it definitely felt like it! Before i did it, someone told me it tasted like chicken... it tastes nothing like chicken!!! As you can see from the 2nd pic, I wasn't impressed Hahaha

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hahaha, never tried snake, so I can not really tell you :D But yeah you really do not look impressed by the taste :D

Lol, he looks like he was attacked by it instead.

Lol, yes, snakes are reptiles, they have bones! :PPP I think they even have a residue from the legs they lost in their vertebrae.

Hahaha! You made my day! 🤣

ohhh, i think i cant take it. I'd rather eat with salt as my viand rather than eating beetles and bugs. I tried before eating forest frog and it taste like chicken :)

absolutly true haha :) did you try alligator? I think it tastes like a mix between chicken and fish, but I liked it!

Mmm, I've never eaten tasted a reptile.

Hey

Why? What happens when you add salt?

Hmmm, I don't mind eating weird stuff, rationally....... but subconsciously I will reject everything. I wouldn't dare to eat an insect or a frog. Maybe snake.

Very cool. Any photos from Peru? I really want to visit South America soon. What do you recommend?

Yes lots of :) Oh I can recommend you places all over the continent :) I loved South America! just stay up with me and you will see them all with pictures.. I try to write every 2 days, hope I find the time.
It´s just way to much to put it here in one comment.
My favorite places in Peru for example are Iquitos and Huacachina, but Peru has soo much to see.
For a good round trip in South America you really need half an year.. and only if your flying..
:) cheers

I really want to visit there, I hope you provide a solution for me to be able to visit there.

Which places of those do you mean? You only have a small budget to spend? Then I have some good information for you ;)

@hitwill I recommend you come visit my country, Venezuela, we have beautiful beaches, waterfalls, forests, and its very cheap, if you come one day, call me, I have a hostel in the beach in a place called Choroni, and I also worked as tourist guide some years ago, people says tht its dangerous here, but its not if you know where to walk, and the secrets of the streets, but, it wouldn't be a problem to you, im convinced of that.

My country, my Nation, my life, Venezuela, you will like, i promess.

hitwill you are the best. i hope your post is very nice my dear friend

haha, bro when can I join you on your travels, I am happy to see you live life to the fullest, no wonder I could not get you on skype, bro chill more and more, let's move the world..

pukoma mandum nyan

Do you eat them cooked or raw? Is there a difference in the preparation between insects in Chiang Mai and in Perú?

looks nice~

No, it doesn't! Lol! I wouldn't bear to be there and try to eat that.

I'm sure they're loaded with vitamins and other goodies.

Yuck i hate insects. Absolutely right Chiang Mai is an amazing city to visit. Night markets offer the best shopping options in Chiang Mai. The range and diversity is excellent, and they're found dotted all over the city. If you're in town on weekend then you have even more options to choose from, with entire evenings spent browsing, shopping, snacking and soaking up the scene. Thanks for sharing your travel experience with us.

Fantastic - how long were you there for? It's an amazing place. Any other recommendations?

Apparently there were more nomads operating out of Canggu Bali than Chiang Mai, for the first time recently. You should check it out!

(Peter runs a bunch of nomad projects)

So many people here on Steemit are talking about Chiang Mai! :O Now I want to go.

Incredible, post, very colorful, the different types of food that can be found in this market is incredible, it is a place to visit, I will keep it in mind. I have heard that those who eat lobster are eating giant cockroaches because lobsters are said to be relatives of cockroaches. I really liked the post, greetings @hitwill.

That is an insane fact. I found a link here: Lobsters are the cockroaches of the sea

Wow!! Quite an amazing experience.
The thought of chewing beetles sent chills down my spine. 😂
Well, they're nutritious.
I love your stories @hitwill

Thanks for the encouragement! Will keep posting more - something about partying in Thailand next, I think.

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