People Just Don’t Get the Appeal of These 15 Foods

Everyone has foods they love, but some dishes leave people wondering how they caught on. Maybe it’s the texture, the smell, or just the overall vibe. Whatever the reason, these fifteen foods have a way of turning heads — and not in a good way.

London’s Jellied Eels

This traditional British dish doesn’t exactly scream appetizing. Cold, jelly-like eel chunks might have made sense generations ago when options were limited, but nowadays, many people can’t wrap their heads around the texture—or the look. It’s one of those foods that seems to survive on tradition alone.

Surströmming

Fermented fish in a can might not sound bad until you learn it smells so awful people often open it outdoors to avoid the stench. This Swedish delicacy has a powerful aroma that completely overwhelms any potential taste appeal. Most people tap out before the can’s even open.

Balut Egg

This fertilized duck egg contains a partially developed embryo and is often eaten boiled. While it’s popular in parts of Southeast Asia, many others are put off by the visual and textural experience. Between feathers, bones, and soft yolk, it’s a lot to take in.

Candy Apple

They might look beautiful on the outside, but candy apples are often more frustrating than fun. The hard shell sticks to your teeth, they’re difficult to bite into, and the taste rarely lives up to the hype. They’re more effort than enjoyment.

Gefilte Fish

Often served during Jewish holidays, gefilte fish is a cold, poached mixture of ground fish. While some grow up loving it, others find the texture too mushy and the flavor too bland to enjoy. It’s definitely a love-it-or-leave-it food.

Towering Burgers

Sure, they look impressive in photos—but oversized burgers packed with multiple meats, cheeses, and toppings quickly become a mess. You can’t get a proper bite, everything falls out the back, and you’re left wondering if simpler would’ve been better.

Chicken Feet

Popular in many cuisines, chicken feet are known for their flavor, but the idea of chewing around tiny bones and joints turns some people off. Even if they taste good, the appearance and eating process are just too strange for many.

Durian

This fruit is infamous for its strong odor—some say it smells like rotten onions or sewage. While those who enjoy it claim the taste is much better than the smell, getting past that initial wall of stench is a dealbreaker for a lot of people.

Spicy Food

For some, heat adds excitement. For others, it just means pain. Not everyone enjoys the sensation of their mouth on fire, and some simply don’t get the appeal of intentionally eating something that makes them sweat or cry.

Turkish Delight

This gelatinous candy, often flavored with rose water and dusted with powdered sugar, sounds elegant—but for many, it tastes like floral perfume. The chewy texture doesn’t help its case either, making it a divisive treat.

Natto

Fermented soybeans that smell like old socks and have a sticky, stringy texture? It’s a hard sell for a lot of people. While natto is packed with nutrients and beloved in Japan, its pungency and look turn off many first-timers.

Liver & Onions

Even if you grew up with this meal, it’s a tough one for many. Liver has a strong, metallic taste and a dense, grainy texture that can be off-putting. Combined with onions, it’s an intense dish that’s not for everyone.

Black Licorice

You either love it or you really don’t. The bold, bitter flavor of black licorice is hard to get used to, especially for those who grew up on sugary treats. Even among candy lovers, this one causes a divide.

Alcohol

For some people, alcohol just never tastes good—bitter, burning, or just plain odd. Whether it’s due to sensitivity, past experience, or personal preference, some folks just can’t enjoy alcoholic drinks, no matter how popular they are.

Oysters

They may be a delicacy, but oysters have a slippery, raw texture that many find unpleasant. Combine that with their ocean-y flavor and the idea of slurping them from a shell, and it’s easy to see why they’re not for everyone.

Not Every Dish is for Everyone

Food is deeply personal, and what’s delicious to one person might be totally off-putting to another. Whether it’s the smell, texture, taste, or just the idea, these polarizing foods prove that not every trend is for every palate—and that’s totally okay.

This article first appeared on Happy From Home.