Zhangxiang Dog Meat

Zhangxiang Dog Meat

　　Zhangxiang has a historic delicacy—dog meat. Anyone who has been to Zhangxiang or knows about it can’t help but talk about it at length. Though it may not be famous worldwide, within Fengcheng or even over a broader area, it’s known to everyone, young and old.

The people of Zhangxiang love raising dogs. Every household keeps dogs. These days, in the rural areas of Zhangxiang, due to the scaling up of pig farming, you might not find a single pig in an entire village, but every family has several dogs. Outsiders without local accompaniment seldom dare to venture into the villages, as the welcoming committee of dogs is truly massive and enthusiastic.

The people of Zhangxiang have a long-standing love for eating dog meat, dating back to the Tang and Song dynasties. Dog meat is considered a delicious dish and an aphrodisiac par excellence. “Dog meat boiled thrice makes even immortals lose their balance; steamed dog meat tempts even the Taoist immortal Lü Dongbin.” When winter comes, dog meat floods the markets—it’s believed to be highly nourishing in cold weather. Nowadays, people also eat it in summer, claiming it warms you in winter and cools you in summer.

The people of Zhangxiang are experts at eating dog meat. Their dog meat is different from elsewhere. In other places, dog meat is sold raw; in Zhangxiang, it’s sold cooked. In other places, it’s half-cooked; in Zhangxiang, it’s fully cooked. In other places, it’s boiled; in Zhangxiang, it’s steamed in a bamboo basket. The flavor is genuinely unique—I feel my writing skills are too dull to find the right words to describe it. You have to taste it to truly appreciate its deliciousness.

Due to the large number of enthusiasts and high demand, Zhangxiang town now has a dedicated Dog Meat Street, where over a hundred dogs are sold in a single day. On Dog Meat Street, one stall sits next to another, piles of dog meat sit next to more piles, steaming hot and fragrant, exuding an irresistible allure. Vendors don’t shout to attract customers—they wait leisurely and confidently for buyers, as if they’re the daughters of an emperor who need not worry about finding a match.

The people of Zhangxiang have a unique way of enjoying dog meat. When people go to the market and it’s near noon, they’ll stop by a shop for a few liangs of liquor, then head to a dog meat stall to buy half a jin of meat. The meat is sliced thin, served with bowls, soy sauce, and chili powder from the stall. They take a sip of liquor, chew a piece of unadulterated dog meat dipped in soy sauce, feeling cheerful, content, and savoring the warmth spreading through their bodies—all while enjoying the drink and the flavor of the meat without spending much. If they’re feeling a bit more generous, after a satisfying meal, they might buy another jin or two, carry it home, burping contentedly, fragrant and light-headed, to share with the whole family. The whole Dog Meat Street feels like a food festival, bustling with people and filled with mouthwatering aromas. Passersby often find themselves drawn in, stopping to enjoy a feast.