Weird Chinese Food › Insects & Bugs
Bee Larvae
蜂蛹 · fēngyǒng
Bravery rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️· Very brave
What does bee larvae taste like?
Soft larvae turn crisp outside and creamy inside when fried, with a mild, slightly sweet, nutty flavour. Many people are surprised it tastes like an egg-and-butter snack.
Where to eat it in China
A prized (and fairly expensive) dish in Yunnan and Guizhou, often from wild hornet or wasp nests. Look for it in Yunnan restaurants that serve insect dishes.
How much does it cost?
Typical range: one of the most expensive insect dishes — prices vary a lot by season and by whether it is wild hornet larvae.
⚠️ Safety tips
Serious allergy risk for anyone allergic to bee or wasp products or shellfish. Eat only fully cooked larvae from a reputable restaurant.
🎥 Watch us eat it
Bee pupae at a market in Kunming, Yunnan (starts at 25:21)
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FAQ
Why is bee larvae expensive?
Wild nests are hard and dangerous to harvest, and the season is short.