Yes, I had a dozen raw oysters! They were fantastic! Better than anchovie pizza and Guinness! They are nothing like what you'd expect. I was never a fan of even cooked oysters, and these tasted much better. And, yes, you chew them up. I sprinkled them with Worchestershire, Tabasco, and lemon juice, and sandwiched a few between crackers. Yum! And a Pilsner to wash them down...highlight of the culinary aspects of the trip.