Food is a cornerstone of cultural identity. France's world-renowned cuisine delights many, but dishes like frog legs, snails, and beef tongue can provoke strong reactions abroad—especially among British friends. These polarizing specialties now star at the Disgusting Food Museum, a bold new attraction in Malmö, Sweden. This venue celebrates authentic global culinary curiosities that locals cherish, such as Sweden's pungent fermented herring Surströmming, Peru's grilled guinea pig Cuy, and Sardinia's infamous maggot-infested cheese Casu marzu. Bon appétit!
For the truly adventurous, the museum displays genuine imports including China's fermented milk tofu, Iceland's Hákarl (rotten shark), Iran's Kale Pache (a stew of sheep or cow head, feet, and stomach), and even bull penis. Founded by Dr. Samuel West, the museum offers a fun, interactive experience where visitors can taste, smell, and sometimes touch these items—as he shared with The Local. "We need to revise our notion of 'disgusting' if we want to embrace more sustainable protein sources like insects in the future," West notes. He recounts tasting Surströmming: "We had to evacuate our offices from the smell. I still have nightmares about it." Unlike replicas, these are real foods rotated monthly, involving costly imports. "It's funnier this way, but risky—if visitors don't come, I lose a fortune," West admits. Photos are on the official website. Admission is €18 for adults, free for children. A barf bag might come in handy. Good luck!
