Food Are you an Adventurous Eater?

What kind of eater are you? When you go out to a restaurant, do you gravitate to the same things or do you use it as an opportunity to try something new?

If you were travelling and presented with something that, by Western standards, might be a little gross (balut or insects come to mind) would you try it?

What, if anything, would you say is the most adventurous thing you've ever eaten?


For me, I will try anything once. I've eaten various types of offal (tongue, hearts, livers, lungs, kidneys, feet, etc.) and insects (crickets are tasty).

How about you?

 

Revelant

Ugh, Western standards (as far as the United States) are too over the top EXTREME-o for me sometimes. Everything is either mega-double meat and cheese or ridiculously sweet. I just want natural. I want to taste the creature without condiments, thanks. I'm big into subtle flavors so I'm all about exploring things that aren't McFood. As such, I've learned to keep survival medication for food poisoning on me when I travel. Oh, the Vomex.

 

I'm adventurous within limits because of food sensitivities,
The most adventurous lately was rare venison... like super-rare and deliciously seasoned.
When I find something that won't kill me or render me Angelina Jolie-lipped for hours, I'm typically game.
Except innards of animals that process out the yuck of the things that they eat.
We feed animals enough crap that I don't want to eat their funk filters.
Or durian. That stuff scares me. So does head cheese.

 

Somewhat adventurous. Ate a snail about the size of a tennis ball in Tokyo. It was the main course. Cuttlefish fish was also served. The snail was better.

Have had beef heart, tongue and sweetbreads.

 

I don't know how I missed the bon appetite thread. So it goes.

I'd say that being Vegan is more adventurous than most people are willing to handle. I should also say that adventurous doesn't just mean eating weird foods. Adventurous can also mean just eating or cooking outside your comfort zone. For example, eating Indian food may not seem all that adventurous (to some) but cooking it, for someone who doesn't on a regular basis, is.

 

This. I'm honestly embarrassed at how much I've fucked up in the kitchen trying to learn how to do the most basic things. Sadly, food is one of the most difficult things I've worked with in my life. Generally speaking, there is no repairing a meal. You can't beat food with a hammer. You can't superglue it together. You can't take it apart if you don't like how it combined. You get one shot to get it right or you have to start all over.

And the trash can judges you with an angry mouth.

"That's right. Order a pizza, pussy!"

 

I'm willing to try most things and do actually cook a fairly wide variety of things. I agree with Plan9 that stuffing up cooking something is pretty easy (especially if it is something unfamiliar). I haven't had too many "completely inedibles" but have resorted to pizza delivery after completely ruining things a few times.

Having said that, I've done a few different cooking courses and feel that my cooking skills are above average. I think this helps to make me willing to try different things when I eat out.

One question is, what is considered adventurous now? When I was a kid, raw fish was pretty out there - now there is a sushi place on every second street corner.

 

I would suggest that each person has a different threshold. While sashimi might be blase to you, others still think it's mighty adventurous.

The same can be said for cooking. I might be able to whip up dinner from the contents of my fridge, but others are intimidated making scrambled eggs.

What is adventurous to you? Do you push your personal boundaries of cooking and eating?

In the past, I was content to stick with what I knew. I would always play it safe. These days, I try to push my limits and try new foods and new techniques.

 

I'm fairly adventurous when it comes to trying different foods, though not as much as when I was younger. In my 20-30's, if you put it on a plate in front of me, I'd eat it then ask what it was. Now its more of the opposite with the occasional "no thanks".

 

What do you think changed?

 

I'd say I am quite adventurous.
Tongue? Regularly on the menu. but that's growing up and eating in NY delicatessans.
When we travel I consider eating the regional cuisine to be an important part of the overall experience.
I'm going to eat what they eat.

 

Got older. Taste buds and digestive tract aren't what they used to be.

 

I'm not really that adventurous in the culinary area, even though many people seem to believe otherwise.

When I eat out, I usually pick the ones I basically grew up with. Pasta/Pizza (Italian), Hummous/Schawarma (Arab), Kebab (Persian), Sushi/Curry/Grilled Stuff (Japanese), Spring Rolls/Baozi (Chinese), Qabeli/Manto (Afghan), Butter Chicken/Curry (Indian), Döner (Turkish), Sausage/Schnitzel (German), Steak, Burgers, Potatoes, Junk Food (American).

Even when I go to Fine Dining restaurants, I usually pick from the "staple meat" area: Beef or Lamb. I avoid Thai, Korean and Pakistani food because it's usually way too spicy for me.

Wouldn't eat insects, but really want to try other parts of beef/lamb. Never had Ox tongue or tail, but would love to try. In the innard aspect, the furthest I have gone is liver.

The most "exotic" meats I've ever eaten would have to be alligator, snake and kangaroo. It's hard to consider them exotic when the meat looks not all too different from a normal steak or chicken meat, though.

 

I love food and I especially love the thrill of food I haven't had before...

When eating out, if you present something to me that I haven't tried before, I will try it. Even if I am craving something when I go, the idea of something new trunps the craving.

This has its pros and cons, of course. Sometimes I find something new and wonderful. Other times I leave feeling let down. I take the bad with the good, though.

As far as exotic foods go, if you tell me it's edible, I'll try it at least once.

This has led to some great and interesting finds (Guinea pig, chocolate covered grasshopper, octopus), some finds that were surprisingly mediocre (Meal worms, cat, aligator), and some very vile things I wish I had just left alone (Belut, ostrich, bear).

It's really kind of a passion for me. I find a lot of joy in new foods...

Also, I'm a big fan of most offal. I've eaten just about every edible part of the cow. I enjoy the tongue, heart, and liver quite a bit. I just need to try the brain...

One day the opportunity may arise.

 

Y'know, I hear that a lot.

I don't know if I just had an undesirable part of the bear, but my experience involved very greasy, stringy, and dirty tasting meat.

Could've had something to do with the cook, as well...