Eating Bugs - Edible Insects - Mengdah

Thai people like eating bugs and in Thailand there are many species of edible insects. Eating bugs like Mengdah, whilst unsavoury to some people, is very healthy as many are high in protein. Mengdah (แมงดา) or Mengdah nah is a giant water bug which used to belong to the Hemiptera family but is now included in the Heteroptera family and classified as Lethocerus Indicus. Looking rather disconcertingly like a cockroach, Mengdah is a popular and somewhat expensive delicacy in Thailand. Male Mengdah water bugs sell in the markets for between 7 and 10 Baht each but the females cost only 2-3 Baht.

You should be a little careful when using the word Mengdah as another meaning of the word is Pimp or Gigolo. Actually though, when it comes to eating Mengdah, sex is important.

The male water bug is smaller than the female and has a rather pungent aroma. Male Mengdah bugs are normally pounded in a mortar and pestle together with Chillies and other ingredients to make a tasty dish known as Nam Prik Mengdah which is eaten with sticky rice. The larger female Mengdah is less pungent and is normally eaten fried in oil until crispy and are readily available in the markets as a take away snack. To enjoy deep fried Mengdah, first pull off the tough wings before savouring the luscious tidbits. Because of the relatively short breeding season, Mengdah are frequently found on sale bottled with fish sauce and are known as Mengdah Dong Nam Pla. It is not just the bugs themselves which can be eaten but also their eggs. Mengdah eggs can be roasted or eaten fresh.

Thailand is ideal for Mengdah as being water bugs they naturally live near water and Thailand’s rice paddies make the perfect habitat. The female Mengdah lay their eggs on the stalks of rice in batches of around 200. When you find the eggs you know that the bugs will be close by, hidden in the mud below. Alternatively, if you feel a little hungry during the night, Mengdah are easy to catch as they can be attracted by a purple neon light .