Pocky are simple Japanese cookie confectionery and are absolutely huge in Asia - and are now making inroads into the UK at least, albeit under the name ‘Mikado’.
They and their countless imitators are nothing more than crunchy cookie sticks with the ends dipped in chocolate, though there are now dozens of varieties available, dipped in lemon candy and something pink that I can only think must be Hello Kitty vomit. There’s also a savory version called Pretz which come in flavors such as “pizza” and “salad”.
78 I know for sure I’ve had; two more, sea urchin and goat, I’m not sure of. I consulted myself, and realized I don’t care if I never have crickets or fugu. I love vindaloo, but I think I can pass on phaal.
After a quick count, I came up with 74. That was counting Oxtail Soup, even though I’ve only had Oxtails–over rice, how rich–at the same hospital cafeteria that once served fried Alligator. And I only had a nibble of Haggis–at a “Celtic Festival”–the vendor said it was like Boudin & it was. (Why no Dirty Rice or Crawfish?)
Didn’t count Goat Milk but I’ve had Goat Cheese. And, of course, just plain Goat–that’s cabrito!
Ahhh now I don’t feel so bad. 14, and pretty much the same variety. I’ve also had spam, oxtail soup, zucchini blossoms right out of the garden, biscuits and gravy, goat, fish tacos, baklava and Pocky.
45 for me, now that I’ve found out that pocky are Mikado and whatever it was is Japanese pickled plum. If I’d ever been to the states I think I’d have had a lot more. The one that puzzled me was Heirloom tomatos, from the Wikipedia definition in my years of eating tomatos out of people’s greenhouses I may well have done. I counted Baba Ganoush since I’ve had theGreek form, Melitsalata.
Bird’s Nest Soup (probably not, seems I would remember that)
Carp (unless I’ve forgotten about it)
Chicken & Waffles
Dandelion Wine
Durian
Frito Pie
Fugu
Nettle Tea
Pavlova
Phaal
Pineapple & Cottage Cheese
Root Beer Float
Snake (where does one eat this?)
Squirrel
Didn’t realize at first that “prickly pear” is nopales and “zucchini flowers” are flores de calabaza
It really is fascinating see such a wide range in the responses here. It makes me think someone who answers 10 or 20 is somehow very different in personality than someone who answers 90. Although obviously many haven’t had the opportunity for whatever reason to try a lot of this stuff.
A lot of my coworkers are European (though mostly Scandinavian) and the overwhelming majority of them have a WTF reaction to root beer. They say it tastes like medicine, and I suspect that some flavoring in root beer–maybe wintergreen–is used more often to flavor medicine in Europe than here in the US. I could see that association making it rather unpopular.
By my count, I’ve tried 83 things on the list. Of the remaining 17 in the spoiler below, there are a few I’d try. Others, I’m unlikely to touch for reasons including, but not limited to, fish, bird spit, and cilantro (in order of increasing disgust).
9. Bird’s Nest Soup
26. Crickets
27. Currywurst
30. Durian (I’ve smelled it, though. Does that count?)
31. Eel
33. Fish Tacos
41. Fugu
49. Head Cheese
55. Kangaroo
65. Oxtail Soup
70. Phaal
72. Pho
84. Sea Urchin
88. Soft Shell Crab
89. Som Tam
96. Tom Yum
100. Zucchini flowers