Featured image: Cricket (photo by makamuki0 via pixabay)

This report might bug some readers, but I feel obligated to share the news. If you’re looking for an unusual culinary experience, it’s coming to Portland, Maine, on July 9. That’s when the state’s first edible insect meals will be served at the Bao Bao Dumpling House at 133 Spring Street, the Portland Press Herald reports. And the best part is that no reservations are needed.

I didn’t find any information about this special event on Bao Bao Dumpling House’s website, so here’s the scoop from the Press Herald: Chefs Zach Pratt and Keshia Thanephonesy, the co-founders of Asian fusion restaurant Boba in Lewiston, Maine, will prepare a la carte dishes containing edible insects from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 11 p.m.

The menu includes:

• Sum Tum with green papaya, carrots, and long beans served with toasted crickets and chili vinaigrette
• Bacon-fried rice with sweet corn, cured bacon, jasmine rice, scallion, and garlicky meal worm
• Shumai (dumplings) of scallops and shoyu maguey worm

The insects are sourced from Entosense’s farm in Lewiston. Entosense sells edible insect products online, from Chripy Jerky (cricket jerky) to zebra tarantulas.

If I were closer to Maine this week, I’d check this out, but I didn’t find out about it in time. If you go, I’d love to hear what you think. Post your comments below.