September 20 2004

Giant water beetle challenge

If a giant water beetle landed on your face, would you:

a) Run around shrieking like a big soppy girl.
b) Casually flick it to the ground and stamp on it.
c) Eat it.

At three and a half inches long, giant water beetles (maing daa) look absolutely monstrous but they're actually rather delicious and the Thais regard them as the nation's number one edible bug.

These days, they've become quite rare in the wild so most are raised on bug farms. A street value of 5 baht per insect makes this a lucrative business.

When you're faced with a giant water beetle for the first time - usually on Soi Cowboy - it's difficult to know which bits to eat and which to throw away. The meat makes good eating but the hard parts should be discarded.

Pull the legs off and nibble any meat from the wet ends.
Rip the head and wings off and throw them away.
Detach the long abdomen and suck the paste out of it. If you're lucky, it will be full of chewy eggs.
Prise open the thorax and enjoy the tuna-like meat inside.

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The bug's fragrant flesh is irresistible - particularly when it's steamed rather than fried - but only the female can be eaten fresh like this. The male far too pungent but it's an important ingredient in some Thai chilli sauces. You've probably eaten this giant bug without even knowing it.

Once you've overcome any feelings of disgust, the ability to eat insects is a useful skill. Imagine if your plane crashed in the jungle. While your emaciated fellow passengers were sizing each other up for the cooking pot, you'd be enjoying the unexpected camping trip on a full stomach.

[Posted to Activities by David]

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Readers' comments

Farangutan says:

I think I'd rather suck on the wrong end (is there a right end??) of a ladyboy than eat the eggs out of a bugs stomach.

September 21, 2004 8:49 AM

Farangutan says:

ps - I just asked one of my female co-workers if she ate "maing daa" - and she went bright red as everyone else in the office laughed. Apparently maing daa is thai slang for "pimp" as well. Anyone know why?

September 21, 2004 9:41 AM

Antihero says:

The reason that pimps are called "maeng daa" is because of the curious habits of the male of the species. Once the male beetle has finished matng he crawls onto the back of the female and never sets foot on the ground again. For the rest of his life he enjoys the free ride and lives off of food that the female is able to forage.

September 21, 2004 10:17 AM

Prorogue says:

Hello Anti Hero

How does the Female Maeng Daa offer the food to the male bug living off her back. Is it passed up by 72 celestial bug virgins or does she toss the Thai equivalent of Bug Grapes up with her feelers.

Also, how do the wings work if a lazy pimp is sitting on her back. I'd be jolly interested to know.

Pro.

September 21, 2004 3:49 PM

shuggie says:

Dont buy the 'lazy pimp' thesis - it's dor-lay.
---

September 21, 2004 3:59 PM

Gurst says:

Some think the females have no taste & that's why they're cheaper in the market. To add a little flavor I suggest frying and eating with some nam jim, or else make a delicious mang da curry dish.

To get the best ones in the market, stick a toothpick in the abdomen & buy the best smelling ones. Like gorgonzola cheese, the more pungent the better.

For the less adventurous, artificial mang da flavor is available. And for those who can't leave home without it you can get canned mang da.

And don't forget to try the buffalo dung beetle. If you can catch them fresh they're better, just wash the buffalo feces off.

Now what was that dried leopard penis based drink I had in Myanmar? The locals sure got a kick out of a farang drinking that stuff.

September 22, 2004 12:37 AM

Prorogue says:

Erm. What exactly was that dried leopard penis thing?

Is it the latest in high voltage electroclash High Voltage gear, or more a Boney M thing?

Provincial ;)

September 22, 2004 3:33 AM

shuggie says:

"toothpick in abdomen..gorgonzola cheese...more pungent the better...wash the feces off...dried leopard penis"

you make me sick :((

September 22, 2004 4:18 AM