Ben Cost

About the Author

Ben Cost is a features reporter covering everything from shark attacks to TikTokkers with Michael Jackson phobias and a man who sued Apple for a billion dollars over an iPhone malfunction. His exclusives have included a multi-course cicada tasting menu to celebrate their return to NYC after 17 years and going fishing for 450-pound sharks amid attacks in the Big Apple. Prior to working for The Post, Ben lived in Shanghai where he served as food editor, and then eventually senior editor at Shanghaiist, one of China's largest English language blogs. Ben ran a monthly column about exotic foods, testing donkey sandwiches, live drunken shrimp and cobra hotpot. After leaving Shanghaiist, he worked as a community editor for City Weekend, a Chinese lifestyle magazine owned by Swiss media giant Ringier. Following that, he served as managing editor of Shanghai Expat, a city guide and forum for foreigners living in Shanghai. Ben's hobbies include fishing, biking, making moderately amusing puns, binging "Sopranos" and plumbing the depths of NYC's boroughs for undiscovered culinary gems.

The Archive

NYC coffee shop is serving what may be the wildest coffee yet: a latte made from smelly, spiky 'king of fruit'

With the espresso splicing trend beginning to percolate, East Village's fruit-centric coffee shop Not as Bitter has concocted possibly the wildest hybrid to date: the Durian latte.

I got busted after my identical twin took my place at work — here's the mistake that got us caught

Twinfluencer Ari Chance allegedly found herself in hot water after she purportedly had her twin Noe cover for her at work so she could go on vacation.

See the face of the richest man who ever lived for the first time

Scientists literally put a face to a name after reconstructing the countenance of Tutankhamun's grandfather Amenhotep III, marking the first time the iconic figure's true likeness had been recreated in...

Are burritos and tacos considered sandwiches? Judge makes polarizing decree

An Indiana judge has seemingly settled the highly-disputed sandwich definition debate after ruling that tacos and burritos fit the bill during a recent legal case.

One in 2 million 'spider twins' have 3 legs, 4 arms and 1 penis

These conjoined "spider" twins in Indonesia are connected at the pelvis in such a way that they possess three legs, four arms and one penis, a condition so rare that...

I went through airport security — and I was shocked what the X-ray found inside my head

The self-proclaimed "plastic surgery fanatic" has dropped over $250,000 on various cosmetic procedures.

I'm a dead ringer for Jason Momoa — I have to fend off women while shopping with my wife

"What my wife doesn't like is when women come up to me and want to touch my hair."

Crucifix necklace shocks teen nearly to death in freak accident

Ogdahl said that he saw sparks from his neck in a matter of seconds, after which his body started to hurt all over.

You have one more chance to see the Northern Lights: These are the best places in the US for skywatching

Did you miss the FOMO-inducing aurora borealis over the weekend? No need to wish upon a star.

How to tell if you have 'dead butt syndrome' — and how to avoid the condition

"Dead butt syndrome" is a real and increasingly prevalent condition.

Hot dogs are so hot right now: NYC invaded by bizarre new wiener cocktails, franken-sculpture

Have hot dogs hit their halcyon age? Just in time for the burgeoning brat phenomenon, the newly opened Williamsburg rooftop bar LilliStar is offering its own spin on Gotham's quintessential...

TikTok star Kimberley Nix announces her own death in heartbreaking farewell video

"Hello followers, if you're seeing this message I have passed away peacefully," the late social media star announced in the heartbreaking clip that was released posthumously.

Plane passenger climbs into overhead bin and takes a nap — and she's not the first

A Southwest Airlines passenger flummoxed fellow flyers after she was filmed napping in the plane's overhead bin, as seen in a video with 5.1 million views on TikTok.

Dead bodies keep mummifying in this mountain town — and scientists are baffled

It's a scenario straight out of a zombie apocalypse movie.

I'm a pro concierge for the elite — here's how to land the hardest reservations in NYC

These restaurants should win a Michelin star for exclusivity.

The way you text reveals if you're a boomer, millennial or Gen Z, tech influencer says

Fashion, vernacular and musical preferences aren't the only clear cultural indicators of age, according to this digital wizard.

OnlyFans star gets comeuppance after mocking 'weakling' male flight attendant who couldn't lift her bag

"There are limp noodles around here," scoffed Colombian model-athlete Tatiana Girardi.

Florida mom gets married while in labor — then gives birth hours later

A Florida mother put the "contract" in "contractions" — and it was a labor of love.

AI voice scammers are posing as loved ones to steal your money — here's a foolproof trick to stop attacks

Experts reveal the simplest way to differentiate friends and family from AI phone clones.