Noma Australia's Hyperlocal Menu Includes Ants and Crocodile Fat

Since acclaimed New Nordic pioneer chef René Redzepi announced he would be taking his Copenhagen restaurant, Noma, on the road for a 10-week pop up in Australia, the food world has been awaiting what was predicted to be a cutting-edge, unique, and — of course — hyperlocal menu. The success of the two Michelin star restaurant's previous pop-ups — Noma Tokyo ran for five weeks last year — has created a frenzy for food enthusiasts looking to snag a seat for the much-anticipated opening. At $339 USD per person, the pricey pop-up has not only sold out, but currently has 27,000 people on the waiting list.

Debuting in the Sydney neighborhood of Barangaroo earlier this week, Noma Australia opened its doors with a menu inspired by the restaurant's harborside location. The coastally-driven dishes boast several varieties of oceanic plants and sea vegetables, as well as strawberry clams, sea urchin, and flame cockle. Produce items utilized include wild berries, lantana flowers, and lemon myrtle, while proteins include crocodile fat, local ants, and magpie goose. Get ready to consult your gastronomic dictionary; here are the dishes currently featured on the menu according to eager Instagrammers (all are subject to change before Noma Australia closes its doors on April 2).

Sea urchin, tomatoes, and pepper berries

A photo posted by Gitte ☀ (@g_bogers) on Jan 27, 2016 at 9:02pm PST

Wild native berries and seaweed

A photo posted by Rene Redzepi (@reneredzepinoma) on Jan 26, 2016 at 3:35am PST

Macadamia and sandalwood nuts with parsnip and muntries

A photo posted by T H E S T A G (@the_stag_port_fairy) on Jan 28, 2016 at 5:57am PST

Lemon myrtle ice cream with bush limes and fennel flowers

A photo posted by Rene Redzepi (@reneredzepinoma) on Jan 14, 2016 at 3:16pm PST

Albalone "schnitzel" with finger limes, sea vegetables, mad rush, and celery oil

A photo posted by Elaine (@derwooblegie) on Jan 28, 2016 at 4:44am PST

Cured egg yolk with deep sea snow crab

A photo posted by Thanisa (@thanisa_n) on Jan 27, 2016 at 9:57pm PST

Magpie goose and marron in a barbecued milk "dumpling"

A photo posted by Quinn (@ksquared2) on Jan 28, 2016 at 3:27am PST

Apple skin with lemon myrtle

A photo posted by Anita Tong (@anitatong89) on Jan 28, 2016 at 4:19am PST

Sliced, unripe macadamia nuts over a broth of spanner crab with rose oil

A photo posted by Rene Redzepi (@reneredzepinoma) on Jan 28, 2016 at 4:31am PST

Porridge of desert and golden oak wattleseed with saltbush, finger lime, and oyster emulsion

A photo posted by Quinn (@ksquared2) on Jan 28, 2016 at 3:20am PST

Strawberry clam, flame cockle, oyster, mussle, and common pipi topped with crocodile fat

A photo posted by Rene Redzepi (@reneredzepinoma) on Jan 27, 2016 at 3:44am PST

Dried scallop and lantana flower pie with a seaweed crust

A photo posted by Quinn (@ksquared2) on Jan 28, 2016 at 3:26am PST

Pineapple in a hibiscus flower, mango ice cream sandwich with Northern Territory ants, and plum-marinated watermelon

A photo posted by Maet (@maet) on Jan 27, 2016 at 4:40am PST

Peanut milk and freekeh "Baytime"

A photo posted by Quinn (@ksquared2) on Jan 28, 2016 at 3:38am PST

Pumpkin with lantana flowers and fermented rice

A photo posted by Evan Schwarten (@evanschwarten) on Jan 26, 2016 at 5:37pm PST

Aerated rum lamington with coconut and tamarind sauce

A photo posted by Anita Tong (@anitatong89) on Jan 28, 2016 at 4:13am PST