# What is the Most Expensive Food There Is? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 21, 2003, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-expensive-food-there-is/149922 "2003-01-21T02:17:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-expensive-food-there-is/149922/21 "2003-01-21T13:20:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Melkor28 \* > \*\*Expensive wines, like the one Mr. forbes bought, are an investment. As far as I know people rarely drink wines that expensive. \*\* In other words, it is a con game, a kind of bottle imp in reverse. Since the only point of wine is to be drunk and these “investments” are generally left till they are undrinkable, they are spending massive amounts of money on the expectation they will find someone even more foolish than themselves. Wanna buy a very nice bridge? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-expensive-food-there-is/149922/22 "2003-01-21T14:11:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tapioca Dextrin \* > \*\*I think you are referring to the [$41 for the burgers at The Old Homestead](http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/Northeast/01/11/offbeat.nyc.burger.ap/). Made from Japanese Kobe beef. Kobe cows have daily beer, not bubble baths. \*\* Daily beer, big deal. I had daily beer in university (RITUAL!!!) and nobody was paying $41 a pound for me. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-expensive-food-there-is/149922/23 "2003-01-21T14:26:27Z")
> [@](#): > > Who would pay 50 dollars for a hamburger? Pilots. I once had a $100 glass of lemonade, and a few weeks later I had a $150 glass of Pepsi. The “$50 (or $100) Hamburger” is a tradition among pilots. The cost includes renting an aircraft or flying your own, and flying to an airport where you grab a bite. My drinks were especially expensive because I flew helicopters to get them. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-expensive-food-there-is/149922/24 "2003-01-21T15:02:47Z")
The Rochester (NY) paper once ran an article about the most expensive restaurant meal in the city. The winner was basically a jar of rare imported caviar. There was a little more to it, but it was basically window dressing. They photographed the winning entree, and it had the caviar _still in the jar_. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-expensive-food-there-is/149922/25 "2003-01-21T16:24:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Hari Seldon \* > \*\*In other words, it is a con game, a kind of bottle imp in reverse. Since the only point of wine is to be drunk and these “investments” are generally left till they are undrinkable, they are spending massive amounts of money on the expectation they will find someone even more foolish than themselves. Wanna buy a very nice bridge? \*\* Which is not much different from the way market bubbles work, for instance [dot.com](http://dot.com) stocks with ridiculous business plans, tulips in the 17th century, or the South Sea bubble. The motivation of many buyers at the height of such a craze is exactly the idea that they KNOW they are paying a ridiculous price, but it will go up some more and they’ll unload it to a fresh sucker. “collectibles” at least play the game out over a longer time interval. The market is, by definition, very non liquid, even when for such “liquid assets” as wine. One more amusing aspect of Mr. Forbes’ purchase - how they discovered it had turned to vinegar: > [@](#): > > Defying the rule, which says all valuable wines should be kept under lock and key in a suitable cellar, Malcolm Forbes lent the bottle to the owner of a New York city wine store and, of course, the inevitable happened. Deciding to show the magnum to a customer, the manager carried it across the floor, tripped and smashed it to smithereens. From every corner of the store, members of staff rushed out with coffee spoons, eagerly hoping for at least a taste of a great wine. Sadly, the contents were oxidised. End hijack. Returning to discussions of consummables which are actually iconsumed, though that wasn’t explicitly stated as a ground rule. ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-expensive-food-there-is/149922/26 "2003-01-21T16:55:49Z")
I was wondering what the price of Swan might be in England, as it is highly illegal in nearly all circumstances (all Swans are the property of the Queen IIRC). Also what roughly is the price of an ounce of Heroin or Cocaine (sorry I really have no idea) I would like to know how it compares to $3000 per ounce for that wine mentioned earlier. Cheers, Keithy ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-expensive-food-there-is/149922/27 "2003-01-21T17:05:47Z")
p.s. I looked up Fresh White Truffles and got a value of $130.00 per ounce on the web. ---
**Author:** ![cybersnark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b9e5f3/32.png) [@cybersnark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cybersnark)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-expensive-food-there-is/149922/28 "2003-01-21T17:15:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by flodnak \* > \*\*“Larks’ tongues. Wrens’ livers. Chaffinch brains. Jaguars’ earlobes. Wolf nipple chips. Get 'em while they’re hot. They’re lovely. Dromedary pretzels, only half a denar. Tuscany fried bats…” 😃 \*\* You’re not too far off about the bat, although I don’t think it’s too expensive just gross. [Yummy yummy bat recioe](http://www.batcon.org/batsmag/v3n1-1.html) “The bats are boiled in a mixture of water, coconut milk, spices and onions and eaten whole, including fur, wings and internal organs.” Ewwwww!!! :eek: (where’s a barfing smiley when you need one?) ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-expensive-food-there-is/149922/29 "2003-01-21T17:27:26Z")
At $255 an ounce, I’m just mad about Saffron. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-expensive-food-there-is/149922/30 "2003-01-21T17:28:27Z")
[Wally Wiggums] I plan on becoming the dominant Internet source for catfood. [/Wally Wiggums] ---
**Author:** ![Amfet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@Amfet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amfet)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-expensive-food-there-is/149922/31 "2003-01-21T17:50:27Z")
In Japan Fugu (pufferfish) goes for up to $400 a plate. Apparantly a liscense is needed to prepare the potentially deadly dish. So this one could cost you the price of a visit to decent toxicologist on top of your 400 bucks 😛 [http://www.calacademy.org/calwild/sum98/eye.htm](http://www.calacademy.org/calwild/sum98/eye.htm) the link is more about the toxin than the dish ---
**Author:** ![JeffB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeffb/32/188_2.png) [@JeffB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JeffB)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-expensive-food-there-is/149922/32 "2003-01-21T18:03:22Z")
I’m disappointed that no one, myself included, came up with the obvious answer: the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil from the Garden of Eden. We’re still paying for it! ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-expensive-food-there-is/149922/33 "2003-01-21T19:03:52Z")
In Asia there is a huge market for meals from endangered species. Since such trade is illegal you won’t find prices advertised on the internet. But tiger penis would certainly by highly expensive. But based on rarity and illegality (It is a death-penalty offense in China to harm one), I would imagine that Giant Panda could be the most expensive food. ---
**Author:** ![malaka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@malaka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malaka)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-expensive-food-there-is/149922/34 "2003-01-21T19:38:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lemur866 \* > \*\*In Asia there is a huge market for meals from endangered species. Since such trade is illegal you won’t find prices advertised on the internet. But tiger penis would certainly by highly expensive. But based on rarity and illegality (It is a death-penalty offense in China to harm one), I would imagine that Giant Panda could be the most expensive food. \*\* Gila monster, anyone? [http://us.imdb.com/Plot?0099615](http://us.imdb.com/Plot?0099615) ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-expensive-food-there-is/149922/35 "2003-01-21T19:39:22Z")
A web search on Beluga Caviar came up with prices arrount $50.00 per ounce. ---
**Author:** ![Neidhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Neidhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neidhart)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-expensive-food-there-is/149922/36 "2003-01-21T21:33:11Z")
Human flesh. ---
**Author:** ![TheLadyLion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d78d45/32.png) [@TheLadyLion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLadyLion)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-expensive-food-there-is/149922/37 "2003-01-21T21:55:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tapioca Dextrin \* > \*\*I think you are referring to the [$41 for the burgers at The Old Homestead](http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/Northeast/01/11/offbeat.nyc.burger.ap/). Made from Japanese Kobe beef. Kobe cows have daily beer, not bubble baths. \*\* What a timely post! **Padeye** and I were just watching the local news a few nights ago and discovered that a local restaurant is also serving Kobe Burgers for $16 a pop (also includes a huge order of fries). Now, I almost fell off the couch when I saw that people were paying $16 for a 1 lb. burger, then they mentioned about the NY Kobe burger that goes for “close to $50,” I think the guy said. GEEEZ!!! What is happening here? Next thing you know, they’ll be bottling water, trying to sell THAT!!! Um, wait… Actually, the patrons they interviewed said it was worth every penny of the $16 they paid. That’s OK, I’ll stick to my good old SuperSonic cheeseburgers. ---
**Author:** ![Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speaker_for_the_Dead)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-expensive-food-there-is/149922/38 "2003-01-21T22:06:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Neidhart \* > \*\*Human flesh. \*\* Beat me to it! ☹ ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-expensive-food-there-is/149922/39 "2003-01-21T23:50:50Z")
Dinosaur? I’ve heard stories of people eating mammoth/mastadon that have been frozen, but probably just a UL. (it would be more like beef jerky) Brian ---
**Author:** ![X\_Slayer\_ALE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/bbe5ce/32.png) [@X\_Slayer\_ALE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X_Slayer_ALE)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2003, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-expensive-food-there-is/149922/40 "2003-01-22T00:54:00Z")
So judging by these replies the most expensive food would be A fresh lobster cooked with saffron, stuffed with truffles, topped with beluga caviar and accompanied by a bottle of 1990 Cristal Champagne. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-expensive-food-there-is/149922.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-expensive-food-there-is/149922.md?page=3)