Some foods can start an argument before anyone even takes a bite. Put anchovies on pizza, serve liver for dinner, or bring out a plate of oysters, and you might quickly discover just how divided people are about what belongs on their plates.
A YouGov survey published July 30, 2025, asked 2,239 U.S. adult citizens about controversial foods, with each respondent rating 20 of 40 selected items. The ranking combines people who said they disliked or hated each food, and the results reveal some surprising favorites that plenty of Americans would rather skip.
Anchovies
Anchovies might bring plenty of flavor to a dish, but they aren’t winning any popularity contests. According to YouGov, 56% of respondents who rated anchovies disliked or hated them, making them the most unpopular item among the 40 foods tested.
Their strong, salty flavor can be a lot to handle, especially when they’re packed in oil or salt. Interestingly, anchovies also topped a separate 2023 Harris Poll survey commissioned by Instacart, in which 50% of respondents said they hated them. However, the two surveys used different methods, so their results cannot establish whether opinions have changed.
Liver
Liver is one of those foods that can instantly divide a family dinner table. Some people enjoy it fried with onions, while others would happily choose almost anything else on the menu.
YouGov found that 54% disliked or hated liver, putting it just behind anchovies. However, liver actually led the survey for outright hatred, with 40% choosing the strongest negative response. The results didn’t distinguish beef liver from chicken liver or other varieties, which matters because different preparations can offer very different eating experiences.
Sardines
Sardines have become part of a growing interest in canned seafood, but their popularity at the checkout doesn’t mean everyone wants them for lunch. YouGov found that 52% of respondents disliked or hated sardines, making them the third food to cross the halfway mark.
Here’s the interesting twist: a January 2024 Global Seafood Alliance report showed U.S. tinned fish sales grew from $2.3 billion in 2018 to more than $2.7 billion. Those figures cover canned fish generally, not just sardines, but they show that a growing grocery category can still include deeply divisive foods.
Tofu
Tofu may be familiar in many Asian dishes, but it hasn’t won over everyone in America. The survey found that 46% disliked or hated it, making it the fourth-most disliked soybean-based food.
One interesting detail is how opinions differed by age. Among adults aged 18 to 29, only 10% said they hated tofu, compared with 43% of those aged 45 to 64. Tofu also comes in different textures, from soft and silky to extra firm, so the version someone has tried may shape their personal impression.
Squid
A plate of golden fried calamari might sound like the perfect appetizer, but mention squid and some diners may suddenly lose interest. According to YouGov, 44% of respondents disliked or hated squid, making it one of America’s most divisive seafood choices.
Texture may explain this, although the survey didn’t ask participants why they rejected it. Squid can become rubbery when cooked poorly, while quick cooking or longer, slower preparation can produce different results. The survey also asked about squid generally, so it doesn’t necessarily reflect how people feel about their favorite restaurant’s calamari.
Caviar
Caviar has a reputation for luxury, but an expensive image doesn’t guarantee a warm welcome at the dinner table. YouGov found that 43% disliked or hated caviar, traditionally made from salt-cured sturgeon eggs.
Perhaps the most interesting finding is that 26% selected “Not sure,” suggesting considerable uncertainty about the food. That response doesn’t necessarily mean people had never tasted it, but it does show that not everyone had a firm opinion. Whether it’s the appearance, texture, flavor, or something else, the survey didn’t identify what influenced their answers.
Oysters
Oysters are another seafood favorite that divides opinion. Whether served raw on the half shell, grilled, or fried, their distinct texture and flavor can make them an acquired taste for some diners.
YouGov reported that 42% disliked or hated oysters, while 28% specifically said they hated them. A separate 2023 Instacart and Harris Poll survey also placed oysters among its most polarizing foods, with 41% saying they hated them. These findings reinforce how controversial oysters can be, although neither survey proves that everyone objects to the same preparation.
Related:12 Old-Fashioned Foods Your Grandma Made That You Rarely See on Dinner Tables Today
Blue Cheese
Blue cheese makes its presence known, even as a small addition to a salad or dressing. Its distinctive aroma, sharp taste, and visible mold veins can make it memorable for very different reasons.
The YouGov survey found an unusually even split: 39% liked or loved blue cheese, while another 39% disliked or hated it. That makes it one of the clearest examples of a food people genuinely disagree about. The results suggest that its bold character attracts admirers just as readily as it puts off critics.
Sushi
Sushi might be a regular option at restaurants and supermarket counters, but it still has plenty of critics. According to YouGov, 39% of respondents disliked or hated sushi, tying it with blue cheese.
Interestingly, 41% said they liked or loved sushi, meaning positive opinions slightly outnumbered negative ones. It’s also worth remembering that sushi doesn’t automatically mean raw fish. Many varieties feature cooked seafood, vegetables, eggs, or other ingredients alongside seasoned rice, making it a much broader category than some people realize.
Related:10 Most Delicious Sushi Rolls You Need to Try
Chitterlings
Chitterlings, commonly called chitlins, are a traditional dish made from pig intestines, especially in Southern and African American cooking. The dish has a long history, but it doesn’t appeal to everyone.
YouGov found that 38% disliked or hated chitterlings, ranking them tenth. Even more striking, 36% answered “Not sure,” the highest uncertainty figure among the foods highlighted in the survey. That makes chitterlings unusual because uncertainty plays such a prominent role alongside negative opinions.
America’s Food Arguments Are Far From Over
Food preferences are still sparking disagreement. In another YouGov survey published October 17, 2025, 57% of respondents disliked or hated ketchup on eggs, while 44% felt the same about pineapple on pizza. These were separate questions, not additions to the original 40-food ranking.
There’s also evidence that familiarity and preparation matter. A February 2025 Washington State University study involving 81 older adults found that comforting memories and appealing textures were associated with greater enjoyment of certain meals. Food science professor Carolyn Ross explained, “If a product evoked more nostalgia, then we found that they liked it more.” The study did not test the ten foods on this list, but it offers useful insight into why food preferences can be so personal.
And perhaps that’s what makes these rankings so entertaining: one person’s favorite dinner can be another person’s reason to order takeout.
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