Cilu Dog

Cilu Dog

　　Dog meat is consumed across China, prepared in various ways such as boiled dog or braised dog. However, Cilu dog meat from Xuwen stands out with its uniquely rich and tantalizing aroma, making it an exceptional delicacy. The preparation of Cilu dog meat in Xuwen County is distinct—typically using black-furred dogs with the best meat quality (other fur types tend to be slightly inferior). In Xuwen, most dogs are raised domestically, with wild dogs being rare, but their meat is just as firm and flavorful as that of wild dogs. Therefore, eating Cilu dog has become a beloved seasonal dish in Xuwen throughout the year, cherished for its affordability, convenience, and delicious taste.

　　The preparation of Xuwen Cilu dog is quite complex: first, the dog is slaughtered, then its hair is removed with hot water and burned off with a fierce flame before the carcass is cleaned and cut into two-finger-thick square pieces. To prepare Cilu dog, the cleaned and cut meat is first placed in a pot over high heat, stir-fried for several minutes with peanut oil, garlic, and star anise. It is then transferred to an earthenware pot and simmered over low heat until about 80% cooked. Next, crushed ginger is mixed with starch, flavoring essence, spicy-sweet sauce, and other ingredients and added to the pot. About 20 minutes later, an appropriate amount of pepper is sprinkled in, the lid is closed, and the heat is increased slightly to continue cooking for another 10 minutes—resulting in a fragrant and delicious Cilu dog dish. Adding a special seasoning such as spicy salt made from wild crushed Sichuan peppercorns enhances the flavor even more. When eaten with this salt, the slightly spicy and intensely aromatic dog meat leaves a memorable aftertaste.

　　In Xuwen County, there is also a dish called “dog rice,” where the Cilu dog is served over rice drenched in its savory broth—the resulting flavor is rich and mellow. Day and night, food stalls serving Cilu dog and dog rice gather crowds of diners of all ages along streets such as Hong Kong Street and the Dexin Road roundabout in Xuwen. The relaxed and carefree atmosphere is truly enviable.