The Ugliest Foods We Love From Around the World
Photo credit: Fotos GOVBA, Flickr
In this Instagram-crazed era, it’s easy to forget that there are some ferociously unattractive, mighty delicious foods that are worthy of our love.
To wit: feijoada. The stew of black beans and assorted meats is to Brazil as cassoulet is to France—a remarkable dish, with a marvelous heritage.
But it is ugly as sin. And it’s not alone. Here are nine more of our favorite unattractive foods from around the world.
2. Okonomiyaki
Photo credit: Chris Gladis, Flickr
The super umami-rich Japanese street snack features a pancake-like egg and cabbage base and comes splattered with a plethora of condiments including barbecue sauce and a layer of bonito flakes. Not adorable.
3. Bigos
Photo credit: Laurel Fan, Flickr
There’s just no way to make this Polish dish, with its mess of slow-simmered cabbage, look foxy. Thanks to kielbasa, ham, mushrooms, and smoked bacon, however, it is quite tasty.
4. Doro Wett
Photo credit: Stephanie, Flickr
Widely considered the national dish of Ethiopia, this chicken stew is laced with berbere, the deeply aromatic chili spice mix. Typically dark brown or black in hue, with hard-boiled eggs bobbing about, it is the rare dish that diners decline to photograph—which is why we give you this prettier photo of injera topped with other classic Ethiopian foods! (Yes, this one, even too ugly for this post.)
5. Chaat
Photo credit: Krista, Flickr
India’s street snack is becoming more and more popular here in America. Covered with white, green, and red sauces, chopped onions, and a tumble of chickpeas, its looks convince no one of its amazing textural contrasts and layers of flavor. But they’re there, we promise you.
6. Mole Poblano
Photo credit: Getty Images
Mexico’s mole poblano is the definition of “not hot,” but as we’ve mentioned, we’re crazy about its nutty, fruity, chocolatey taste. So lay off!
7. Split Pea Soup
Photo credit: Iris, Flickr
There’s a reason this dish has a reputation for being the ugliest in all the land. But especially when amped up with ham—is anything less good for having ham?!—it can be wonderful.
8. Blood Sausage
(We spared you some of the creepier blood sausage photos out there. You’re welcome.) This writer still has a hard time wrapping her head around the idea that this is tasty, but there are whole countries of people—from the Irish to the Estonians to the Ecuadorians—who love its smoky, super-porky (or beefy) flavor.
9. Poutine
Photo credit: Caroline Gendron, Flickr
Oh, Canada! Thank you for this most delicious, super-fantastic, ugly-as-tarnation dish combining our great loves of fried food, cheese and gravy.
10. Matzo Ball Soup
Photo credit: you can count on me, Flickr
This staple of Jewish cuisine needs no introduction, but it doesn’t stand a chance when it comes to a beauty competition. Light brown on light brown is a color scheme that works for no one. Smart cooks add dill or some other herbs to brighten up everything.
The moral of the story? Looks ain’t everything.
