"It does NOT taste like chicken."

Yesterday I had my first experience with muktuk (whale).  I am told this was white muktuk as it was from a beluga whale.  If it had been from a bowhead whale it would have been black muktuk.  This was pickled, as opposed to raw, or fried.  I am told these are the common ways of eating muktuk.  I say "told" because I am not an expert on the subject, and was informed second hand.  My roommate spent a week in the villages of Shaktoolik and Unalakleet.  He was given a jar of pickled muktuk in Shaktoolik.

It was not as bad or as unusual tasting as I had expected.  It was very chewy, but in my honest opinion, if it had not been pickled it would not have had much taste.  Maybe the pickling spices were masking the natural flavor?  I would try muktuk in another form, if offered, but would not make a special trip.  For the record:  It does not taste like chicken.  You can quote me.