Kooky Japanese Ice Cream Flavors May Ruin Your Appetite

Unorthodox flavors such as snake and beef tongue have gained a following.

ByABC News
January 27, 2014, 11:57 AM
Various flavors of Japanese ice cream are seen in this April 19, 2009 file photo.
Various flavors of Japanese ice cream are seen in this April 19, 2009 file photo.
John S Lander/LightRocket via Getty Images

Jan. 27, 2014— -- Vanilla who?

A handful of American ice cream parlors have attracted attention in recent years for outlandish ingredients that range from bourbon and cornflakes (Humphry Slocumbe in San Francisco) to habanero peppers (Sunni Sky's Homemade Ice Cream in Angier, N.C.). But truly adventurous dessert lovers would do well to book a flight to Japan.

READ: What Does Your Favorite Ice Cream Flavor Say About You?

In the Land of the Rising Sun, a handful of small-batch suppliers are gaining a cult following for "novelty ice creams" that include flavors such as "beef tongue" and "viper," according to Kotaku.com.

READ: Ice Cream Truck Replaces Jingle with Texts

From pints with "raw horse meat" to squid ink soft serve in a wafer cone, the odd concoctions know no bounds. Other flavors making a splash include soy sauce, shark fin, whitebait, sea urchin, miso ramen, grilled eggplant, fermented bean, Japanese pickle, fried shrimp, salad, seaweed, chicken wing, crab and octopus, among others.

How fearless are your tastebuds? Would you try any of these Japanese novelty ice creams?