The 12 Most Bizarre Things We’ve Ever Seen At Movie Theater Concession Stands
Catching a film at a movie theater might feel incomplete without a tub of popcorn. Nachos, soft pretzels, and chocolates usually spice up and seal a great movie night, too.
While popcorn is a great low-calorie food that contains fiber, vitamins, and minerals, it is not your only option for a movie treat. Across the world, film enthusiasts savor other snacks that can be surprising yet satisfactory. Why not try edible insects, lobster tacos, or reindeer jerky?
Check out the most bizarre things sold as snacks at the movie theater.
1. Squid

Movie theaters on Jongno Avenue in Seoul have been satisfying their audiences with squid. They dry it, flavor it with butter, and steam it to produce a delectable crisp.
Outside cinemas, squid is also a crowd favorite on the streets of South Korea. It's often thought of as a good source of calcium, iron, and vitamin C.
2. Edible Insects

The Gold Town Theater in Juneau, Alaska, offers edible insects as protein-rich snacks for film buffs. Edible insects contain an average of 35–60 percent (dry weight) protein.
While they are far from popcorn, they have the same crunch factor. You can snack on them at home — some are even available online and in various flavors like barbeque, honey mustard, etc.
3. Iwashi Senbei

Iwashi senbei is a type of dried sardine cracker. In Japanese, “iwashi” means sardines, while “senbei” means cracker. It’s one of the go-to snacks of cinema lovers in the country.
People bake the tiny, dried fish in rice flour, soy sauce, and sugar and coat them with sesame seeds. Iwashi senbei can be a dietary source of protein, carbohydrates, and calcium.
4. Kakimochi

Popcorn is not the only appetizing noisemaker in movie theaters. It’s similar to kakimochi, a crispy rice cracker with a flair of sweetness and earthiness.
This bite-sized treat is in demand among moviegoers in Hawaii. Kakimochi has a low-fat content and goes well with popcorn. It’s also a concentrated source of carbohydrates for outdoor activities like hiking and sightseeing.
5. Kvass

Chilled sodas may be the typical thirst-quencher for many movie enthusiasts, but for Lithuanians, it is kvass. It is a non-alcoholic beverage with a slightly sweet and sour taste and a brown, cloudy appearance.
Kvass has a positive impact on your digestion and metabolism. The traditional way to make kvass is to soak rye bread in water, add yeast and sugar, then allow it to ferment.
6. Licorice

The Dutch consume more than 70 million pounds (32 million kilos) of licorice candy yearly. It translates to more than 4 pounds (2 kilos) per individual. Yes, it’s true. Most Dutchies (myself included) love licorice.
No wonder licorice is a staple in movie houses in the Netherlands. People here indulge in it as black, shiny pastilles and enjoy its taste. Licorice root has helpful nutrients like glycyrrhizin, which has antioxidant effects.
7. Lobster Tacos

Cinépolis is a Mexican theater chain with locations around the United States. They offer lobster tacos, among other nontraditional cinema snacks, for an elegant theater experience.
Lobster is an excellent source of vitamins B12 and E, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids. You can also whip up some lobster tacos yourself for a posh movie night at home.
8. Pickles

Bags and glass jars of pickles are often enjoyed in Texas cinemas. These salty, sour snacks are popular alone or with popcorn.
Pickles are low in fat and protein and high in vitamins and minerals. In particular, they are a rich source of vitamins A, C, and K, calcium, and potassium.
9. Plums

At cinemas in China, you will not get a whiff of butter or popcorn in the air. Instead, you will sense a sugary scent from plums.
Plums have a low-fat content and contain 30 calories per fruit (on average). Chinese plums come dried, salted, or candied, while candied plums are hard, sugary, and sour.
10. Reindeer Jerky

In Kautokeino, Norway, a drive-in theater satisfies movie aficionados with dried reindeer meat. It is not unusual as the country is home to wild and domesticated reindeer.
What’s more, the cinema (and the gigantic screen) are made of actual snow. The movie house provides snowmobile-friendly entertainment and warmly welcomes the Sami people.
11. Samosas

If American concession stands in movie theaters have nachos, their Indian counterparts in Mumbai have samosas. Film buffs who frequent 95 theaters in the city consume more than 35,000 samosas every day.
Samosas are small, triangular, and spiced pastries with meat or vegetable stuffing. They are a great source of fiber, folate, iron, magnesium, and potassium.
12. Souvlaki

Where Americans like to chow down on hot dogs, Greeks take pride in their souvlaki. It is a skewer of grilled meat and is a staple in movie theaters, streets, and restaurants.
Meat is a well-known provider of various nutrients, such as protein, B vitamins, and iron. Protein-rich diets help you with weight loss and can increase muscle mass.