How can you eat rotten fish?!

So during today's lesson me and my group somehow came across the question "What's the worst or strangest dish you ever tried?".
After thinking for a while I remembered what it was:

Surströmming!

Ever heard about it? It's a traditional dish from Sweden, and those Swedes love it-who knows why.
It is rotten fish. Well, not actually rotten, fermented. I don't see the difference, but apparently there is one. Strömming is Baltic Herring in Swedish, and for this dish the herring has to be small and young. The fish is put in barrels in a temperature controlled room (15-20°C) where the fermentation process takes place. When the process is over the fish is filled in cans and then sold.
When I was in Sweden for four months I had to try it-partly out of curiosity and partly because my parents taught me not to reject any kind of food without at least trying it.
So I was invited to that big Surströmming-party-thing with my host family and of course I went with them. Even before we entered the house I noticed a weird smell which got even worse when we went into the house. Of course, rotten fish had to smell, but I wouldn't have it expected to be THAT bad! It was really horrible, it almost drained me of all my hunger-and I was VERY hungry that day.
By the time the food was finally ready to eat I had accustomed to the smell and was more positive about actually trying it. Usually you eat Surströmming on some kind of thin, crispy bread with butter, boiled potatoes and chopped onion. In some areas they also add tomatoes or some spices, but we didn't. So I prepared my dish like the others did and took my first bite...
To be honest, it was neither good nor bad. It's definitely nothing I have to try again, but it wasn't disgusting or anything. The thing is just, that it is a taste we are simply not used to, I cannot compare it to anything I know. But what's worse than the taste is simply the idea, that you're eating rotten fish, pardon, fermented fish. If I tried it more often I would probably come to like it, but I don't see why I should make the effort-especially because I don't think they even sell it anywhere but in Sweden.

^^ Doesn't look that bad, does it?

Anyway, what that experience taught me once more is that you should really just try food, even if you don't think you will like it. It's a sign of respect, especially with national dishes, and maybe you'll discover something you like. Plus, it is definitely exciting and fun.  :)

So, what's the strangest or most unusual or most disgusting dish you ever tried? I'd love to read about them.