We usually don’t do Memes, but this is an old classic and, being foodies, we had fun with it. Hope you do too.
This was originally published on the Very Good Taste food blog in 2008. These lists are always slanted according to the background and experience of the writer, in this case a British guy. We found it a little heavy on the Indian cuisine. The compiler’s FAQs are quite good, and answer some of the questions I had about how/why he came up with the list. There are other great lists out there, some that are geared toward other eaters including vegetarian and vegan.
Below is the list of 100 things the author thought every good omnivore should have tried at least once in their life. He says, “The list includes fine food, strange food, everyday food and even some pretty bad food – but a good omnivore should really try it all. Don’t worry if you haven’t, mind you; neither have I, though I’ll be sure to work on it. Don’t worry if you don’t recognise everything in the hundred, either; Wikipedia has the answers.”
Here’s what you to do:
1) Copy the Omnivore’s 100 list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment linking to your results.
The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:
1. Venison – Duh, I’m from Georgia.
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding – Don’t think, just eat. It’s tasty.
7. Cheese fondue – Fond memories of Colonia Tovar, a Germanic village a couple hours from Caracas, Venezuela.
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho – One of the greatest any time of day dishes on Earth.
13. PB&J sandwich – Again, we’re American.
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns – We lived off these in China.
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes – Most recently courtesy of Jim Close.
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans – Too many years in NYC to not have fallen in love with many versions.
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper – Not advised to pop the whole thing in your mouth at once!
27. Dulce de leche – Ever been to South America? They eat that stuff on everything!
28. Oysters – Best when pulled from the ocean floor while SCUBA diving and served during your surface interval.
29. Baklava –Proof the Greek gods do love us.
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl – A San Fransisco treat!
33. Salted lassi – Not a huge fan.
34. Sauerkraut – German heritage, check. See also, Spaetzle.
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O – Outgrown this one, thankfully.
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail – A Sunday treat in any good Dominican home.
41. Curried goat –Such a craving for this sometimes (T)
42. Whole insects -Favorite variety? Hachinoko in Japan
43. Phaal – Bring on the heat!
44. Goat’s milk –Put in coffee one time in Barbados. Blech.
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut – Had them hot off the line!
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi – Salty and intense it’s one of T’s faves.
53. Abalone
54. Paneer – Maybe we were from Wisconsin in a previous life, we are CHEESEHEADS.
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal – We steer clear of this establishment these days.
56. Spaetzle – See number 34.
57. Dirty gin martini – Prefer extra dirty.
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips – Denied by a health conscience mom, this is what T thought chocolate was until about the age of 8.
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian – We’ve even had durian ice cream. Talk about stinky burps!
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake – Can we count this one as four? Had them all!
68. Haggis – See number 6.
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini – A standard beverage at the back yard brunches at D’s house.
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky – T was a student in Japan and prefers the classic version.
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers – Often a garnish too pretty to eat, but stuffed with cream cheese and fried irresistable.
89. Horse – They eat it sushi style in Japan. I was told after I bit into Mr. Ed.
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam – A Hawaiian delicacy not for everyone.
92. Soft shell crab – Po’ Boy!
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee – Overrated.
100. Snake
