‘I tried Yum Bug’s cricket menu and forgot I was eating bugs until seeing them whole roasted on my plate’

Thanks to the new Finsbury Park Yum Bug restaurant Londoners can fine dine an insect filled menu from bug tacos to onion bhajis.

The north London spot’s house bug is the cricket, which they farm in Cambridgeshire, and it is available in a mix of different forms from crumbs to a whole roasted carcass.

Available in small plates, guests can try crickets of all varieties on their visit depending on their preference. To get the full Yum Bug experience I tried to order one of each including the powder, whole roasted, brisket chunks, meatball and mince options.

I was most excited to see the whole roasted dishes and got to see them first as I ordered bombay mix and honey roast crickets for a starter.

Served in two small pots the crickets were somewhat disguised in the bombay mix of spices, but you could see them in all their glory in the honey roast pot. 

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Looking at the crickets up close I was surprised to see they didn't seem to have wings or legs which soon quashed any worries I had about walking out with either stuck in my teeth.

Those unsure about seeing an actual bug on your plate you may want to stay away from the whole roasted options on the menu. While I was initially worried, once served you soon forget you’re actually eating a load of crickets.

Next I had a few slices of sourdough along with a cricket crumb. If I wasn't at a bug themed restaurant I wouldn't have realised the crumb mix featured crickets. You can only see their shiny shells if you look closely.     

I typically cook with a lot of meat alternatives at home so trying the cricket in a similar forms felt more comfortable.

My favourite version that the house bug was served was definitely the brisket chunks. I chose to order both the tacos and onion bhaji as I couldn't decide and was not disappointed as both were packed with flavours as well as crickets.

I also enjoyed the menu’s croquettes which paired a cricket mince in a creamy cheesy sauce and the meatball dish which fell apart in my mouth that really showcased how meaty the cricket alternative can be. 

Rounding off my visit I opted to get something sweet and chose a cricket and pistachio topped chocolate moose. Featuring whole roasted crickets they added a crunchy addition to the chocolate desert.

Overall I found that the crickets didn’t really have much of a taste themselves and so Yum Bug’s versatile menu allowed you to really taste the many different ways the bug can be used whole or as a meat alternative.