What is this one weird thing?

March 4, 2014 12:39 AM

This is an image that has been popping up in the dodgy ad links on lots of websites for me lately, with the text "eat this and never diet again". Of course the linked page is selling some herbal diet supplement nonsense and the weird thing isn't described, explained, or otherwise mentioned. So what is it? My best guess is part of the eye of a sea creature or maybe some kind of jellyfish type creature. Any ideas? (Note- the link is to an imgur screenshot of the thing, no dodgy links, promise).
posted by cilantro to Grab Bag (7 answers total)

Best answer: Jellyfish stock photo, info via Know Your Meme.
posted by taz at 1:30 AM on March 4, 2014 [2 favorites]

I'm guessing it's konnyaku, currently very trendy as a diet food. Konnyaku is a gelatinous substance made from the root of a plant, and it could conceivably be prepared to look like that jellyfish-looking object in your picture.
posted by Grunyon at 1:34 AM on March 4, 2014

Response by poster: Bam, thanks Taz. It's a jellyfish, indeed. I don't want to eat it.
posted by cilantro at 4:11 AM on March 4, 2014 [3 favorites]

Just fyi, jellyfish is really delicious and the texture, while unusual, isn't challenging at all. Try a high end Chinese place.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:48 AM on March 4, 2014 [1 favorite]

Best answer: You might also like:
"The irresistible rise of an arguably unstoppable creature"
(self link?)
posted by RedOrGreen at 11:40 AM on March 4, 2014

Response by poster: I have had jellyfish actually, cold, sliced in ribbons, in a sesame sauce, and it was pretty OK. Had pig lung in spicy peanut sauce at the same meal. I still don't want to eat THAT jellyfish :)
posted by cilantro at 11:55 AM on March 4, 2014 [1 favorite]

Oh, so you'll eat cilantro, but freaky eye-membrane helljellyfish ain't good enough for ya??
posted by Drexen at 9:16 AM on March 6, 2014 [1 favorite]