Ugly, Dangerous, and Expensive—but Delicious: What Are Percebes?

To preserve their characteristic flavor, percebes must be harvested alive and remain so at the time of purchase. Cooking them is a simple and quick process—just a minute in unsalted boiling water (since the crustaceans already carry a strong marine flavor). Once cooked, they can be easily enjoyed by breaking them open and sucking out the tender interior, leaving the hard outer shell behind.

The taste is distinctive, savory, and somewhat similar to shrimp. Many people enjoy them with a few drops of lemon, much like fried fish. If you can find them at a fish market or restaurant, percebes are certainly worth trying for their unique flavor.