Octopus (Korea)

Koreans call it “Sannakji,” but you might just call it “disgusting.” Usually lightly seasoned with sesame and sesame oil, the live octopus can be cut into small pieces or prepared whole, then served with its arms still squirming! Because the suction cups on the tentacles are still active when the dish is served, special care should be taken to avoid the possibility of chocking.

Frogs (Japan, China and Vietnam)

Remember that viral video showing a Japanese woman eating a live frog? She’s not alone. Another man from southeast China became famous back in 2007, after saying 40 years of swallowing tree frogs and rats live had helped him avoid intestinal complaints and made him “stronger.”

This “delicacy” is not that strange in Asian countries such as China, Vietnam and Japan. It usually involves special frogs raised for cooking, which are later sliced open on a plate and disemboweled while alive. It’s all done right in front of you, while you sit there waiting for your meal. You’re then supposed to eat the frog complete with beating heart and flailing limbs.

Tarantulas (Louis Cole)

Most humans would never eat live tarantulas or scorpions, nor would they eat a deer’s penis and testicles. YouTube sensation Louis Cole, on the other hand, would eat those and then some more of the worst things imaginable. His YouTube channel includes more than 36 of the most disgusting videos you will ever see. Check it out. Or not.

Fruit Bats (Guam)

Would you like your bat grilled, barbecued, deep fried, stewed or stir fried? Fruit bats are consumed in Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Guam, and in other Asian and Pacific Rim countries and cultures. Apparently, bats taste similar to chicken, have a low fat content and are high in protein. On the tiny island of Guam, however, locals like to have their bats alive inside a coconut milk soup.

The still-living bat is nabbed from the wild, rinsed off, and popped into a boiling vat of water, wings, fur, and head intact, then it is boiled alive before being served up with a dash of coconut milk and vegetables. If you try them at home (please don’t), and you smell urine, don’t worry. It’s due to the fact that bats spend a significant amount of time in an upside-down position, in which urine and fecal matter may be on their bodies. This may be reduced by first washing them, or by adding garlic, onion, chili pepper – or even beer –during cooking!

Snakes (India)

In 2007, 46-year old Sutari Nayak from Orissa, India, became famous for eating live snakes just for fun. Apparently, the farmer, now father of three, has been catching snakes since childhood after a friend’s challenge: “The snakes are biting you, can’t YOU bite the snakes?” Since then, he has been biting and eating snakes without cooking or roasting them and has become the town’s biggest star. He’s even earned some extra money with his peculiar show.

Larvae (Italy)

Notable for containing live insect larvae, “casu marzu” is a traditional sheep milk cheese from Sardinia, Italy. Larvae are introduced to the cheese deliberately to promote an advanced level of fermentation and breakdown of the cheese’s fats. This makes the cheese very soft, with some liquid seeping out. Some people clear the larvae from the cheese before consuming while others don’t.

Chilled Ants (Denmark)

Ranked number one on a list of the world’s 50 best restaurants, Copenhagen-based restaurant Noma puts live ants in a salad and its clientele pays up to $300 for a plate! The ants are offered as a crunchy, gluten-free alternative to croutons, and taste like ginger, cilantro, and lemongrass. And ants.

Baby Shrimp (Japan and China)

If you are ever offered “odori ebi” in Japan or “drunken shrimp” in China, say “yes” and turn your camera on – your meal contains baby shrimp that are still alive and able to move their legs and antenna while being eaten! The meal is prepared quickly while the shrimp are alive and dunked into sake to keep them drunk.

Cockroaches (USA)

What could go wrong at a cockroach-eating contest? 32-year-old Edward Archbold collapsed minutes after winning the contest in South Florida. Edward, a father of two, ate over 60 grams of meal worms, 35 three-inch-long “super worms” and a bucket of discoid roaches! He took part in the contest because he wanted to give the first prize, a python, to his friend as a gift. According to an autopsy, he choked to death.

Eels (Japan)

According to celebrity chef Raymond Blanc, while in Japan he ate live eels. He was advised to add vinegar and sake, which made them jump around, and then swallowed them whole.