TasteAtlas has released a new ranking of the world’s most unpleasant foods, and topping the list this year is the Icelandic dish svið — half of a sheep’s head roasted over an open flame. The dish, known for its striking appearance and intense flavor, once again leads the global “worst food” chart.
Second place also goes to Iceland, this time for þorramatur — a winter assortment of traditional foods consumed from mid-January to mid-February. The platter typically includes fermented shark, smoked lamb, roasted sheep’s head, blood sausages and other delicacies meant for the most adventurous diners.
Rounding out the top three is the Spanish dish “Truchas a la Navarra,” a trout recipe prepared with serrano ham, lemon, flour, parsley, olive oil and salt. While beloved in Spain, its combination of flavors and textures earned it a low score among international tasters.
The updated ranking also features a wide range of controversial dishes from across the globe: jellied eels from England, deep-fried silkworms from Thailand, duck head from China, cookie salad from the U.S., and Vietnam’s raw blood pudding. Each has deep cultural roots but often shocks unprepared visitors.
Only one Russian dish made the list — Yakutian fish salad “Indigirka,” which reached first place in 2023 but dropped to 65th this year.