So I got obsessed with trying the weirdest foods after binge-watching those extreme eating shows. Seriously, my brain wouldn’t shut up until I tracked down that fermented shark with sheep heads everyone talks about. Figured it’d make a killer blog post too.
The Wild Goose Chase Starts
First I hit Google hard. Typed “real jehákarl near me” like an idiot – obviously nothing popped up except some tourist traps selling tiny cubes for 50 bucks a bite. Total scam. Then I remembered this one Icelandic dude’s food forum rant about family-run spots outside Reykjavík. Dug through 200+ comments till I found an address scribbled in all-caps: “GRÍNDAVÍK HARBOR TUESDAY MORNINGS ONLY BRING CASH”.
Prepping for Disgusting Victory
Booked the next flight to Iceland with points because no way I’m paying real money to eat rotten shark. Packed:
- My strongest vodka (for chasing the ammonia taste)
- Those nose plugs swimmers use (smells like Satan’s bathroom)
- Tums and Imodium (you know why)
Got laughed at in baggage claim when my vodka bottle leaked all over my parka.
Showtime in Grindavík
Woke up at 4am Tuesday to drive through pitch-black ice roads. Almost crashed twice before sunrise. Found this rusty metal shed by the docks with three old ladies gutting fish. They didn’t speak English, just pointed at a plastic bucket full of brown jelly cubes – the jehákarl. Nearly puked from the smell alone. Paid cash while gesturing at the pickled sheep heads (svið) hanging from the ceiling. One granny threw in the dense rye bread (rúgbrauð) for free after seeing me gag.
Braced myself on a frozen crate outside. Chugged vodka first. Shoved the shark cube in with shaking hands. Chewed twice. Holy hell it’s like battery acid mixed with gym socks. The sheep head tasted like cold fatty rubber. Rye bread was actually decent – like a brick of sourdough. Couldn’t feel my tongue for an hour after. 2/10 would not recommend unless you’re into chemical warfare simulations.
Reflections from the Aftermath
Learned three things:
- Never trust food that needs industrial-grade nose plugs
- Icelandic grandmas will laugh at your pain while selling you poison
- My stomach is officially unbreakable after surviving this madness
Got bedridden for two days though. Still glad I did it – now I can brag at parties about eating literal death snacks. Might try fried tarantulas next.
