15 Gross Canadian Foods Foreigners Can’t Touch
Canada boasts a rich and diverse culinary heritage that is delightful and occasionally puzzling to those not familiar with its unique offerings. While locals and adventurous eaters worldwide enjoy Canadian dishes, some leave international visitors feeling a bit queasy. Here’s a look at 15 distinctively Canadian foods that some foreigners find rather distasteful.
Poutine
Poutine is a beloved Canadian dish that originated in Quebec. It consists of french fries topped with cheese curds and smothered in gravy, creating a savory and slightly messy treat. Many find the combination of crispy fries, cheese, and rich gravy delicious, but some foreigners may find it too heavy or unusual.
Peameal Bacon
A staple in many Canadian breakfast dishes, peameal bacon is made from pork loin cured in brine and rolled in cornmeal. It has a sweet and salty flavor profile that pairs well with eggs or pancakes. Some outsiders may be turned off by the appearance of the meat coated in yellow cornmeal.
Ketchup Chips
While potato chips in ketchup flavoring may be a common snack in Canada, they are often considered odd or unappetizing to non-Canadians. The vibrant red color and strong tomato taste can be off-putting to people accustomed to more traditional chip flavors.
Nanaimo Bars
Nanaimo bars are a sweet treat made from a crust of wafer crumbs, chocolate, and coconut, topped with a layer of custard and another layer of chocolate. Although many Canadians enjoy these rich bars, they are too heavy or too sweet for some foreigners.
Butter Tarts
Butter tarts are a classic Canadian dessert made from a filling of butter, sugar, and eggs baked in a pastry shell. They can be plain or filled with raisins or nuts, making for an indulgent and gooey treat that some outsiders may consider too fatty.
Split pea soup
Split pea soup, or “Habitant Pea Soup” in Canada, is a traditional Canadian dish. It combines split peas, pork, and other ingredients for a hearty flavor. However, its thick consistency and earthy taste may not appeal to everyone. Some may also find it unsuitable for dietary preferences or restrictions
Tourtière
Tourtière is a savory meat pie that is a holiday tradition in Quebec. The filling can vary from beef to pork to game meats like venison or rabbit, encased in a flaky pastry crust. The strong meat flavors and rich texture may not appeal to everyone’s palate.
Bannock
Bannock is a flatbread that has been a traditional food for Indigenous peoples in Canada for centuries. It can be fried or baked and is typically made with flour, water, and fat. While some enjoy its simplicity and versatility, others may find the texture and lack of seasoning unappetizing.
Blood Pudding
A popular dish in some Canadian regions, blood pudding is made from animal blood mixed with fat, oatmeal, and spices. It is then boiled or fried and served as a savory breakfast item. The idea of consuming animal blood may not be appealing to people from different cultural backgrounds.
Kraft Dinner
Kraft Dinner, or KD for short, is a beloved comfort food in Canada that consists of macaroni pasta smothered in processed cheese powder. Canadians have grown up eating this quick and easy meal, but it may seem strange or unappetizing to people unfamiliar with its bright orange color and artificial flavor.
Moose Nose Soup
As the name suggests, moose nose soup is a traditional Indigenous dish made from the nose of a moose, along with vegetables, herbs, and spices. Some people enjoy the rich and gamey flavors, while others may hesitate to try a unique ingredient like moose nose.
Cod Tongue
Cod tongue is a popular delicacy in Newfoundland, made from the small, tender muscles at the base of the cod’s mouth. It can be fried or pickled and has a texture similar to scallops. Some outsiders may find it strange to eat fish tongues, but locals consider it a delicious treat.
Seal Flipper Pie
Seal flipper pie is a traditional dish in Newfoundland made from floured and fried seal flippers, topped with onions, pastry crust, and gravy. While some people may appreciate the cultural significance of this dish, others may not be comfortable eating an animal considered cute and intelligent by many.
Fiddleheads
Fiddleheads are the young, coiled fronds of ferns that are a popular springtime dish in some Canadian provinces. They have a taste similar to asparagus and can be boiled or sautéed. However, some foreigners may be hesitant to eat a plant that resembles a tightly coiled fiddlehead.
Montreal-style Smoked Meat
Montreal-style smoked meat is a cured and smoked beef brisket typically served in a sandwich with mustard on rye bread. It has a distinct flavor and texture that some foreigners may find too intense or unfamiliar compared to other deli meats.
