FRIED INSECTS

Fried Insects are a popular snack in Thailand.

Probably the most popular snack is the fried grass hopper. Others available include fried silk worms, fried scorpions, fried mangda and others. The mangda is a water beetle often found in paddy fields where rice is grown. They resemble cock roaches. Mangda is also a derogatory term used to describe a pimp.

Fried insects are sold at road side mobile stalls. The vendors often provide sauces. These often contain soy sauce and other ingredients. The sauces are usually dispensed from spray containers (similar to the ones used for spraying water mist onto plants).

Of these I have only tried the grass hoppers. They were crunchy and the most of the taste came from the cooking oil and the sauce.

In Thailand you can also buy packets of dried frogs and dried baby frogs.