Grilling is a universal language, but not every BBQ looks like your typical backyard cookout. While some cultures fire up their grills with classic steaks and ribs, others take BBQ to wildly unexpected places—sometimes literally! From volcano-powered grills to meat cooked in underground pits, here are some of the weirdest and most fascinating BBQ traditions from around the world.
1. Volcano BBQ in Iceland 🌋🔥
Where: Hveragerði, Iceland
What’s Weird: Cooking steaks and seafood using heat from an actual volcano!
In Iceland, where geothermal activity is everywhere, some chefs skip the charcoal and let Mother Earth do the grilling. At places like Restaurant Hver in Hveragerði, they place meat and fish over steam vents and lava-heated grills—no need for propane when you have molten rock heating your meal!
💡 Would you try a steak grilled by a volcano, or would you be too afraid it might erupt mid-bite? 🌋🥩
2. Whole Animal BBQ—Mongolian Style 🐐🔥
Where: Mongolia
What’s Weird: The BBQ is cooked inside the animal’s own skin!
Mongolians have a technique called Boodog, where they take a whole goat (or marmot), remove the organs, and stuff hot stones inside the carcass to cook the meat from the inside out. The result? A self-contained, portable oven—no grill, no pots, no pans, just stone-roasted meat straight from nature.
💡 Pro Tip: If you ever try Boodog, make sure you stand back when they cut it open—sometimes, the pressure inside makes it “explode” with hot juices!
3. Underground BBQ in New Zealand & Hawaii 🌿🔥
Where: New Zealand (Hāngī) & Hawaii (Lū‘au)
What’s Weird: Meat is buried underground and slow-cooked in hot stones for hours.
Both the Māori people of New Zealand and Hawaiians have been earth-pit cooking for centuries. The Māori method, called Hāngī, involves digging a hole, placing heated stones inside, and layering meat, vegetables, and cloth-wrapped food before covering everything with soil. In Hawaii, the Lū‘au is famous for its slow-roasted Kālua pig, which is cooked the same way using banana leaves for extra flavor.
💡 Imagine telling your guests, “Dinner is ready! Let me just dig it out of the ground first.” 🌿🥩
4. Snake BBQ in Vietnam 🐍🔥
Where: Vietnam
What’s Weird: Grilled cobra or python is a delicacy!
In parts of Vietnam, BBQ lovers enjoy grilled snake, marinated with lemongrass, chili, and spices. Some even pair it with snake blood wine for the full experience. Street vendors often skewer the meat and grill it over an open flame, giving it a crispy texture.
💡 Would you dare to eat a BBQ snake, or would you just slither away? 🐍🔥
5. Guinea Pig BBQ in Peru 🐹🔥
Where: Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia
What’s Weird: BBQ’d guinea pig (called Cuy) is a traditional delicacy.
Before you get too squeamish, remember that in Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia, guinea pigs aren’t pets—they’re protein-packed meals! These small rodents are seasoned, skewered, and grilled whole over an open fire. The crispy skin and tender meat make it a favorite at festivals and celebrations.
💡 It’s said to taste like chicken, but would you be willing to find out? 😆
6. Sardine Grilling Ritual in Portugal 🐟🔥
Where: Portugal
What’s Weird: BBQ sardines are so sacred, they have their own festival!
Every June, Lisbon is filled with the scent of grilled sardines during the Festival of Saint Anthony. Thousands of people gather to grill whole sardines in the streets and enjoy them on thick slices of bread. The tradition is as much about the experience as the taste—with music, dancing, and a citywide BBQ party.
💡 Who knew that grilled fish could bring an entire country together? 🎉🐟🔥
7. BBQ Ice Fish in Japan ❄️🔥
Where: Japan (Hokkaido)
What’s Weird: BBQ-ing fish that were literally frozen in ice.
At the Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan, locals grill Shishamo fish—a small fish frozen in ice—directly over charcoal. The heat melts the ice while the fish roasts, keeping it incredibly juicy. It’s like watching fire and ice battle it out on the grill!
💡 Would you eat BBQ fish straight from the freezer, or do you prefer your meat NOT be encased in ice? ❄️🔥🐟
🔥 Final Thoughts: BBQ is Wildly Different (But Always Delicious!)
From volcano-cooked steaks to BBQ snakes and buried pigs, the world of grilling is way weirder (and cooler) than just burgers and hot dogs. No matter how strange the method, BBQ always brings people together—and that’s what makes it truly special!
Which one of these weird BBQ traditions would you try first? 🤔🔥
Drop your answer in the comments! Or, if you prefer a safer BBQ experience, check out our collection of funny aprons to grill in style!