We were offered this snack while we were volunteering in Ecuador; fried june bugs (wings and legs removed) and cancha (Andean popcorn). After the rain, the bugs come out and the indigenous family who lived nearby collected them and fried them up for us.
Considering that one of my favourite snacks in Taiwan was deep fried shrimp monkey (see below), I was keen to try these bugs. Ultimately, they were a little disappointing. They mostly just tasted of oil and salt. The texture was crunchy. Pretty much like any fried thing.
Maybe if they had been served piping hot straight from the frying pan and doused in MSG like my beloved shrimp monkeys, I would have liked them more.
I just cannot get used to the whole bug-eating thing around the world…but I’m sure these are much more appetizing than the disgusting bundaegi here in Korea. Blech!! 😉
Bondaegi are the one thing I couldn’t bring myself to try. The smell is just so strong!