An unusual appetizer has caused a stir in one restaurant in China, generating significant discussion on social media. The dish is an egg tart topped with large insects resembling cockroaches. Following the appearance of photos, public reaction has been divided: some express shock, while others show interest in tasting it.
However, the restaurant owner explained that the insects used in the tartlets are not cockroaches but a specific type of water beetle that is edible.
This exotic food is available at a restaurant located in the Shunde district of Guangdong province in China. Sales of this dish, named 'Eggs in Tartlets with Water Cockroach,' began in early October 2026. The egg tart itself is a sweet pastry with a delicate and creamy filling, but the restaurant adds uniqueness by placing a fully fried insect on top.
Photos of this dish have gone viral on Chinese social media due to its unusual appearance and name, prompting people to learn more about it. According to reports, one set of three such tartlets costs 28 Chinese yuan, equivalent to approximately 350 rupees.
According to the restaurant owner, Pan, the insect used in this dish is not actually a cockroach. It is a type of beetle that lives in water and is called a 'diving beetle.' In some regions of Southern China, there is a tradition of consuming it, and it is also used in traditional Chinese medicine.
According to traditional beliefs, this beetle is beneficial for the skin and kidneys and may help improve blood circulation. Nevertheless, scientific evidence is required to confirm these claims.
The restaurant owner stated that the process of creating this dish begins with removing the odor from the insects. They are then fried in oil at a specific temperature until crispy. The wings of the insects are left intact to maintain their characteristic appearance. After this, the fried insects are placed on top of the egg tart, and the dish is served. In the owner's opinion, the combination of the tartlet's sweet taste with the salty and crunchy taste of the insect is comparable to putting crispy potato chips on a tart.
People's opinions on this dish are mixed. Some feel discomfort at the thought of eating it, while others are eager to experience its unique flavor. According to the publication, visitors come from places such as Guangzhou and Hong Kong to try this snack. The restaurant owner claims to sell about twenty such sets daily.
Many users on social media have expressed surprise, noting the resemblance of the insect to a cockroach, which makes the idea of eating it impossible for them. Others view this phenomenon in the context of Southern Chinese culinary culture. Currently, attention to this dish is drawn not so much by its taste as by its appearance and the ingredient used, demonstrating how attempts to bring novelty to the gastronomic sphere can become a subject of wide public discussion online.