Eating Insects in Bangkok
“You want to get bugs?”
And this is why my travel blogger friends are awesome!
It was my first sweltering night in Bangkok, and I was spending it on Thanon Rambutri, drinking Chang beer with two of my travel blogger friends: Pamela of Spunky Girl Monologues and Matt of Backpacking Matt.
Pamela had been living in Bangkok for the past few weeks. Matt and I had been there for less than 24 hours. So, predictably, we jumped into our new surroundings with gusto. Pamela encouraged us to try mango sticky rice, possibly one of the most delicious things I’ve ever eaten.
Bugs, though, were another situation entirely.
We found a vendor at the end of the street selling locusts, crickets, and a variety of other insects. Pamela refused to eat them, but offered to take photos and video.
Did seeing these scare us away? No way!
Cringing, Matt and I each put a whole cricket into our mouths. No nibbling allowed!
They were crunchy. Not super flavorful, but the sauce the woman sprayed on them was good.
The verdict? Kind of good, actually.
I tried another. Really good, actually.
Who knew that crickets would taste so good?! You can’t make a meal out of them, since there’s so little substance to them, but they’re fun to try. I can’t say the same for the other insects, which had the texture and flavor of plastic straws.
Just be sure you don’t get the legs stuck in your teeth!
The video:
Related posts:
At age 26, I quit my job to travel the world alone. I spent six fantastic months in Southeast Asia and turned my travel blog into a full-time business. Today, I travel full-time, going anywhere that sounds wacky or beautiful or interesting. My goal is to show YOU how you can travel the world on your own -- easily, safely, and adventurously. 
Wow. You really are bad ass.
At times, Sally. At times.
Woohoo! Go Kate! What a perfect start to your trip!
Mmmm. Haha. Dunno if I could munch on bugs… but kudos to you guys! Looks like you had fun.
LMAO… your face is hilarious… Tasty and crunchy, eh? I’m pretty sure I had that same face when I tried them.
Yeah! Go Kate!
I mean, I’m completely disgusted, but way to live up to ‘Adventurous Kate’
If I don’t do it ever so often, people call me out for not being adventurous enough.
OMG…this is great! I don’t know if I could do it–well, maybe if I’d had a few drinks. I think I’d have to be…in the right frame of mind.
Good for you–and thanks for the final tip. I’ll be sure to bring dental floss–just in case!
Ugh. I don’t know if I could do it.
oooooo. You lot have more guts then I do. I wouldn’t be able to do that without hurling!!
Wow. You just jumped right in there, didn’t you?
diese Aussage ist völlig korrekt formuliert,weiter so
Oh my….you’re a brave one! That mango sticky rice looks delish, but I don’t think I could bring myself to eating bugs. Glad to hear they were tasty, though! I have a friend who went to China recently, and saw scorpions on skewers at one of the markets. Yikes!
Scorpions are next! Well, maybe not…
Um, how are we related? I won’t even eat Balsamic Vinagerette.
Oh my ! Jumping crickets. Jimminy would be PO’d, you eating his family. Hope you have your mint flavored dental Floss. So what do you wash insects down with?
Chang Beer.
hey kate!
kudos to you for eating the bug I don’t know if I could have done it rock on! I miss you glad you are having a blast in Bangkok
holly
We did the cricket thing in Laos! Surprisingly nice. But we didn’t try the big ones they sell from brochettes on the buses. Looked like they might be a little, well, meaty for the falang…
I think i would try crickets, but locusts are a no-go for me. I assume it’s all in the sauce anyway. Also, this is totally a traveling only thing. You know if someone offered you bugs in your hometown you’d be totally appalled. I support your travel spirit.
You’ve got to be kidding me! I ate those things and they tasted like rotten hay… or at least what I imagine rotten hay to taste like.
Made for a cool photo though.
Hi Kate, I’m jealous of you, insects-> the good food. I also hope once again to go to Bangkok.
Good luck on your journey.