Jiahe Dog Meat

Jiahe Dog Meat

　　“Hearing the aroma of Jiahe dog meat, even the gods would leap over the wall.”

　　Braised dog meat is a famous dish in Jiahe. Whether during festivals, family reunions, or everyday banquets, braised dog meat is always a premium delicacy on the table.

　　Jiahe’s braised dog meat is highly favored for its rich aroma, pure flavor, and nourishing properties. The braised meat is fragrant and mouthwatering. Take a bite, and you’ll find it free of any gamey or off-putting taste—tender, rich, not greasy, spicy and delicious, with an unforgettable aftertaste.

　　The cooking technique for Jiahe’s braised dog meat is very particular. When selecting the dog, a home-raised, feed-free, lean yet plump, around ten-pound young dog is preferred. In terms of knife skills, the meat should not be cut too finely—it needs to have a “full-mouth” feel when eaten. During the braising process, the simmering must be done just right. The general method is: first fry out the moisture from the dog meat, then add oil and stir-fry with star anise and cinnamon until the aroma is released and the meat begins to stick to the pan. Then add water to braise (the water added should cover the meat). Once most of the water has evaporated and the mixture turns gelatinous, add garlic, MSG, soy sauce, and other seasonings, stir-fry a few more times, and it’s ready to serve. If it’s hot during summer or autumn, mixing in some tea oil before serving is ideal—it helps “neutralize the gamey taste” and reduces internal heat. Dog meat prepared with this meticulous process is not only excellent in color, aroma, and taste, but also believed to nourish yin and yang, prevent illness, and strengthen the body. Eating dog meat in winter can also enhance the body’s resistance to cold. Therefore, enjoying dog meat is considered a rare treat.

　　In the past, people believed that “beating a dog to end a gathering” was bad luck, and it was an unwritten rule that dog meat didn’t appear on banquet tables. With the deepening of reform and opening up, rising living standards, and evolving mindsets, this taboo has been broken. Nowadays, not only is braised dog meat served at banquets, but “dog meat hot pot” has also become popular—truly making it a case of “no banquet is complete without dog meat.”