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Creepy crawlies or culinary delights: The buzz around South-east Asia’s booming bug business 

Thailand dominates the industry; Cambodia and Laos among the largest consumers of insects in the region

Goh Ruoxue
Published Sat, Dec 9, 2023 · 05:00 AM
    • Next on the menu is fresh poached prawns garnished with silkworm pupae.
    • Salted egg crab topped with superworms.
    • Next on the menu is fresh poached prawns garnished with silkworm pupae. PHOTO: ALTIMATE NUTRITION
    • Salted egg crab topped with superworms. PHOTO: ALTIMATE NUTRITION

    FANCY some crispy beancurd with a side of crunchy black crickets? Perhaps kailan topped with minced garlic and nutty mealworms, or fresh poached prawns garnished with chewy silkworm pupae?

    These dishes were part of an eight-course private dining experience organised by Singapore edible insects start-up Altimate Nutrition and local restaurant House of Seafood.

    More than 50 participants, including some as young as six years old, registered for the closed-door event held in August. The feedback had one common theme – the insects did not taste as bad as they expected.

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