Durian

Known as the “King of Fruits,” this giant, thorny pod is revered by some (including me) and despised by others. It has a powerful aroma, detectable several feet away. Its odor is so strong that hotels, buses, and airplanes routinely forbid patrons to carry it. This is made clear with prominent signs posted at entrances, bus stops, and subway stations. The fruit is quite large, 2 to 8 lbs (1 to 4 kilos), and its shell is covered with pointy spines. Inside, the custard-like flesh is segmented into lobes, each studded with large, light brown seeds. The creamy fruit tastes like a combination of sweet mango, overripe pineapple, and fermented onions—it’s actually very addictive. Thai: tu rien; Malay: durian; Vietnamese: sầu-riêng