Spicy Roasted Ants as a Movie Snack?

Spicy Roasted Ants as a Movie Snack?

After writing my story about the prices of movie tickets and concessions as well as while talking to a friend that is currently working abroad, I got to thinking. What exactly is offered at other concession stands in other countries? Surely, there are different food palates around the world. So, what exactly can you find at a concession stand in another country?

I speak from personal experience when I tell you what I used to get at the movie theater growing up. I was born in Chile, a South American country located west of Argentina and south of Peru. It’s that weird skinny country in the west coast of South America. That’s usually what I hear when I tell people that that’s where I’m from. I’m okay with it, it does have a bit of an unusual shape to it. Now, back to the movie snacks. There was definitely always butter flavored popcorn at the movie theater, but they also always had the option of caramel popcorn as well. I’m not talking about the super hard and extra, gets stuck in your teeth it is so thick caramel popcorn. I’m talking about the more texture of regular popcorn or kettle corn popcorn, but with the taste of caramel. A light crunchy like regular butter popcorn but with caramel flavor. It was my favorite. I was honestly disappointed when I found out that the United States didn’t offer that flavor at the movies. I can’t even buy it at the store! All I always find is that super thick caramel popcorn that 1. Is cold and 2. Is super extra crunchy and honestly a bit uncomfortable to eat. I think that if I brought it a pack of that extra thick caramel popcorn into the movie theater with me, I might get kicked out because I feel like it is just that loud! Am I alone here?

So, after a little bit of research, for other curious minds like myself; here is what I found:

Japan, usually known for their quirky food offers Iwashi Senbei, or small dried sardines, baked in soy sauce and sugar, sprinkled with sesame seeds and eaten whole. Yep! You read that right! Small dried sardines. Anyone out there ever seen this at the movie theater in Japan? Please confirm what the internet it is telling me. I know, it can’t always be trusted 100%. I may need proof of this! In all honestly though, I believe it. And why not? It’s a mix of sweet and salty, right?

Hong Kong, curry fish balls, a street food staple is their common movie-time food. They also offer shrimp and pork dumplings called siu mai. That makes sense to me! Apparently, AMC Theaters is located there, and they offer traditional American snacks; however, they also offer the country’s traditional snacks, as they should.

Finland, home to the salty-liquorice or hard liquorice called salmiakki also offers a big selection of “pick and mix” candy. Picture those candy stores that you find here, where you can make your own bag of your favorite candies pick the amount that you want hoping to fill it with the lightest candy so that you don’t have to pay too much. That’s quite genius if you ask me, but I don’t even want to think about how much that would cost here. Speaking of liquorice, that is one candy that people either love or hate. I like it, but I haven’t had it in years. I wonder if I still would like it now? Our palates, after all, do change with time. Are you one of the ones that like liquorice? Please share why you do or don’t like it. What does it taste like to you?

India offers this item usually found in our local Indian Restaurants called samosas. A fried or baked dough usually filled with spiced potatoes, onions, peas, lentils, macaroni, noodles, cheese, and minced beef or lamb. I’m not mad at that! I love samosas! It’s carb heaven to me!

Moscow offers their wealthy movie-goers beluga caviar. Caviar (pickled roe) and roe, meaning the mass of eggs contained in the ovaries of a female fish. Yep! That’s right! If you eat sushi, you know what roe is or if you don’t, now you know! You are welcome! 😉

Colombia, spicy roasted ants. Yes, there is no typo here. I wrote ants, the insect. They apparently enjoy this crispy high-protein snack the way that we enjoy our popcorn. I wonder if they offer extra butter or other flavors on their spicy roasted ants?

Spain takes the win for my favorite option so far. Calimocho, a mixture of red wine and Coca-cola. Yaaaaaaassss! That actually sounds delicious! The next time that I get wine, I’m going to have to give this one a try. It is their movie theater staple and it may soon be a staple at my house.

China has umeboshi. Sweet, tart plums that have been dried, pickled and then liberally salted. Okay, that doesn’t sound so bad! I would try that, would you?

Lithuania, a fermented beer-like beverage called Kvass, that is made from rye bread (also known as black bread in many Eastern European countries). It can be flavored with fruits such as strawberries and raisins, or with herbs such as mint.

Greece, a specialty made with small pieces of meat and sometimes vegetables grilled on a skewer named souvlaki. So, does that mean that their movie theaters smell like grilled meat? I’m not complaining! I love the smell of a good barbeque!

Norway offers movie goers Dried Reindeer Meat. I’ll pass, thank you! I don’t want to accidentally eat Rudolph! Santa needs him!

Well, my curious mind now knows. I hope that you all learned something along with me. I never actually stopped to think about this, but just like in Chile, they have cheese empanadas at the local McDonald’s store, and I know they don’t have them here, but they should #McDonald’s, please, I beg you! Other countries offer their local fare at their movie theaters. Has anyone reading this tried any of the above snacks? If you have, please share your personal stories. I would love to hear them! Until next time!

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