Are dogs really part of some Asian cuisines? Human consumption of domestic dog meat has been a back alley joke for many years. But the consumption of dog meat has been a recognized fact in many parts of the world, including ancient China, ancient Mexico, and ancient Rome. It has also been known to be used during times of hardship in Vietnam the Phillippines, and Korea. While dog is just one of many meats we find to be socially unacceptable in western culture it has been widely accepted and is often a staple in some cultures. Dog meat is used in many countries throughout the world, below are just a few samples of some of the more common countries.
China
The use of domestic canine meat dates back thousand of years in China. Amongst some, canine meat is thought to have medicinal properties and is used to warm the body especially in the winter.Eating dog has long been socially exceptable in parts of southern China.It is especially popular in the Guangdong and Guangxi regions.
Fido for Christmas?
In certain cultures of northern Indonesia Fido plays a very important part in important holidays and occasions. The Minahasa, of northern Salawasi , and the Bataks of northern Sumatra, use dog meat for festivities including weddings and even Christmas. Ho ho ho, I guess their ability to be a ring bearer depends on if they can stay away from the cooking pot.
South Korea
Like their Chinese neighbors Koreans have widely accepted the use of canines for cooking for several thousand years.
Dog meat is used year round but more often in the summer months.It is usually roasted or prepared in soups or stews. The most popular of these soups is bosintang and gaejang-guk, a spicy stew.
Ethics In The Eatery
Although the use of dog meat has been widely accepted for thousands of years a movement has been growing to make it illegal. While most of the opponents of eating dog meat are not trying to deny people the use of dog meat for food. They are mostly opposed to the treatment of the animals before they reach the plate, as dog farms are sprouting up in ever increasing numbers. There is a whole new meaning to puppy mill in certain regions of the world.
Asia And Beyond.
The use of dog meat has widely been considered to be only a part of the Asian culture. It has been found to be part of the past and present of many other countries and cultures such as Mexico, Japan, Poland, Switzerland, Germany, and parts of Africa. Although we will probably not be offered dog in any establishments here in North America the practice of eating it is probably not going away anytime soon. For me I prefer my pooch sticking his head out of the truck window catching flies with his teeth.
Have you or anyone of your friends ever tried dog? I would like to know of your experience in the comment box below.
