What Is a Favorite Dish That You Once Viewed as Exotic and Strange?

Guacamole

Curry dishes

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When I first learned about sushi, I couldn't believe people were eating raw fish. To me, that was bait! Now, I have to get a sushi fix every so often

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Me too

Amaebi.

Known as sweet shrimp in Japanese cuisine, they're raw shrimp tails served with deep fried heads.

My brother and I were passing through Salt Lake City in 1992. We stopped off at a hibachi place for lunch and on a whim he ordered amaebi...two per order so we each had one. It was the first time I had eaten a raw shrimp tail.

The waiter came by and asked if we were finished. He questioned why we didn't eat the heads because he said it was the best part. We each picked one up and enjoyed the delicious bites, and from then on I was hooked on this dish.

ETA: We ordered sake but were denied because it was illegal to serve alcohol before 1pm in Salt Lake City at that time. Apparently the Mormons did want people to imbibe during lunch hour, hence this brilliant rule. We kept an eye on our watches and once 1pm rolled around, so did the drinks. It's one of the stupidest laws, right up there with not being able to sell beer in liquor stores in Mississippi.

Raw shrimp in Utah doesn't sound that appealing to me.

Probably the collar of fish

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Isn't there a parasite risk with raw shrimp?

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Yep, and the sun emits radiation. Don't go outside.

I've eaten the dish hundreds of times and haven't died yet.

These aren't the shrimp you see laying about ice at Albertsons but are usually Alaskan pink shrimp. Sushi joints get them in frozen and will thaw them under running water per order.

Amaebi is one of my favorite bites of food.

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ETA: We ordered sake but were denied because it was illegal to serve alcohol before 1pm in Salt Lake City at that time. Apparently the Mormons did want people to imbibe during lunch hour, hence this brilliant rule. We kept an eye on our watches and once 1pm rolled around, so did the drinks. It's one of the stupidest laws, right up there with not being able to sell beer in liquor stores in Mississippi.

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I stopped in Provo for the night on the way to Yellowstone. I had been driving for 12 hours and wanted a margarita. Applebee's was the nearest restaurant so we went there. I'm 43 but the server carded me anyway and then informed that the manager had to see my ID as well. After he checked my ID he glanced at my daughter then gave me a look of disapproval. They served me but I felt like a fricking heathen. The restaurant was almost full and from what I could tell I was the only person drinking.

vietnamese food.

cant believe i ever lived without a pork bowl bun, good bowl of pho or a banh mi.

Curry or Indian food in general. Thought I would never eat it then I tried it and didn't like the flavors and now I am absolutely addicted. I make a curry at home that is phenomenal and easy to make. Could eat it all week long.

Sushi - I used to only eat sushi if everything was cooked in it and I still felt queasy after eating it. Now I love it and eat some of the raw options, mainly tuna.

Medium rare steak - never thought of it as exotic but I was raised by parents who ate their steaks well done. I learned when I moved away from home to try steak cooked less well done and now I love it all. I still like a well done steak, though, even though I know I shouldn't. I can't help it. I prefer a medium cooked steak but if it comes out well done I don't need to send it back.

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I still like a well done steak

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A-1 or Heinz 57?