durian

love-hate

Simultaneous attraction and aversion

• divisiveCausing sharp disagreement
• controversialCausing public dispute
• bannedOfficially disallowed

forbidden · acquired taste · debate · contentious · pungent · public transport · warning signs · Bourdain

pungent

Sharply strong-smelling

• sulfurousContaining yellow element
• custardCooked egg-milk mixture
• onionPungent layered bulb

garlic · turpentine · gym socks · ripe · musky · intense · fetid · overpowering · rank · strong

jackfruit

Large spiny tropical fruit

• rambutanHairy-skinned tropical fruit
• mangosteenTropical fruit, white segments
• longanSmall tropical stone fruit

lychee · breadfruit · soursop · pulp · flesh · seed · pod · husk · segment · aril

spiky

Having sharp projections

• huskDry seed covering
• shellHard outer covering
• rindTough outer covering

prickly · sharp · pointed · barbed · armored · spines · thick-skinned · formidable · green · dangerous

Southeast Asia

Tropical peninsula and islands

• MalaysiaSoutheast Asian federation
• ThailandSoutheast Asian kingdom
• IndonesiaSoutheast Asian archipelago nation

Philippines · Singapore · Borneo · orchard · plantation · harvest · season · monsoon · rainforest · tree

delicacy

Refined sensitivity or rarity

• dessertSweet course after dinner
• ice creamChurned frozen dairy dessert
• candySugary edible treats

pastry · pancake · sticky rice · puff · cake · mooncake · chips · smoothie · crepe · mochi

• Malay Wordsya, lima, air, ayah, orang
• Khmer foodamok, jasmine rice, sticky rice, rice noodles, fish sauce
• Philippine Fruitsmango, banana, pineapple, papaya, rambutan
• fruitapple, apples, banana, bananas, orange
• fruitsstrawberries, cherry, cherries, mango, peaches
• Acquired Tastesblue cheese, natto, Marmite, Vegemite, black licorice