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Feeling brave this year? Looking for a fun New Year’s Resolution? Channel your inner foodie and never be called a picky-eater again by checking these wild dishes off your to-try list.
1) Beef Tongue Tacos
Where to find it: Fuego Cocina y Tequila
The texture of beef tongue isn’t what you’d think it would be. It doesn’t taste too far from a slab of well-done steak, which is why they’re often marinated, grilled, chopped up and served in flour tortillas as a wilder option for a not-so-conservative taco. Search for lenguas on the menu.
2800 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington; 571-970-2180.
2) Jellyfish & Pig Intestines
Where to find it: Full Kee
Jellyfish noodles don’t look as frightening as they sound. They can be mistaken for a plate of curly translucent noodles and don’t taste too far from what you would assume noodles made of gelatin would taste like. At Full Kee-they’re marinated in sesame oil, spice and served cold.
5830 Columbia Pike, Falls Church; 703-575-8232.
3) Pig’s Throat
Where to find it: Green Pig Bistro
The kung pao sweetbreads at Green Pig Bistro are a favorite of ours. Green Pig Bistro also recently earned themselves a top spot in our list of 50 Best Restaurants of 2012.
1025 North Fillmore St, Arlington; 703-888-1920.
4) Burgundian Snails
Where to find it: Lyon Hall
Sauteed in parsley, fennel and pink peppercorn butter—snails taste very similar to clams, but are a tiny bit smaller and a little bit chewier. But when they’re sauteed in herbed butter–who really cares what it is? (Another 50 Best Restaurants of 2012.)
3100 Washington Boulevard, Arlington; 703-741-22201.
5) Thousand Year Old Eggs
Where to find it: A&J
When you order this, you’ll get a small plate with a harmless-looking black egg on top of a bed of crushed tofu and scallions. What you’re supposed to do is to cut up the egg, mash it all together and eat it with rice. An odd, but delicious experience you’ll never forget.
4316 Markham St, Annandale; 703-813-8181.
6) Charcoal Grilled Eel
Where to find it: Nagoya
Grilled eel doesn’t taste too far from a thin slice of grouper that’s a tiny bit on the denser side. At nagoya, eel is marinated in miso and sweet sauces that takes teriyaki fish and rice to the next level.
43330 Junction Plaza, Suite 194, Ashburn; 703-723-9703.
7) Duck Liver Dumplings
Where to find it: Mokomandy
Never had foie gras before? The Cajun-Korean chef at Mokomandy uses foie gras in an unexpected way that doesn’t call for bread or crackers. Instead, he stuffs the rich, buttery paste into dumplings for a unique appetizer you won’t find anywhere else. (One last 50 Best Restaurants of 2012 representative.)
20789 Great Falls Plaza, Sterling; 571-313-0505.
8) Giant Pig Knuckles & Spicy Pig Blood Soup
Where to find it: Quan Quynh
When you order the Spicy Beef Noodle Soup (Bun Bo Hue), you’ll receive a bowl of pig knuckles, chunks of pig blood and rice noodles—a real ode to the pig.
6763 Wilson Bouldevard Suite 9, Falls Church; 703-854-1058.
9) Fried Alligator Bites
Where to find it: Chasin’ Tails
The deep fried squares of alligator bites are served on a bed of Cajun fries, and taste like mini chicken tenders with dark meat that’s a tiny bit denser.
2200 North Westmoreland St, Arlington; 703-538-2565.
10) Chicken Feet & Gizzards
Where to find it: Chung Jin Dong Crab House
Chicken feet is considered a delicacy in Asian culture, and it’s rare that any part of the chicken is tossed—even the gizzards. If you like calamari (fried squid), the fried chicken gizzards have a chewy texture and a slightly gamey taste.
6499 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria; 703-941-2722.
11) Squid Pancake
Where to find it: Tofu Lighthouse
This flat Korean-style pancake is made from eggs, scallions, mixed vegetables, crab, squid, and sometimes oysters. Chop it up and eat it with a bowl of rice, or enjoy it as an appetizer.
4121 Chatelain Rd, Annandale, 703-333-3436.
12) Duck Blood & Pork Belly
Where to find it: Hong Kong Pearl Seafood Restaurant
Chopped cubes of congealed duck blood can be found in Chinese porridge (congee) or served with pork belly as a small appetizer.
6286 Arlington Boulevard, Falls Church; 703-237-1388.