Soft-shell turtle on an iron plate

Soft-shell turtle on an iron plate

　　Soft-shell turtle on an iron plate is a specialty dish from Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, and is also listed among China's ten most cruel dishes. Its unique aspect lies in being slowly simmered — the turtle must not be killed outright, but rather subjected to prolonged torment so that onlookers can enjoy the slow process.

　　The dish involves placing a live soft-shell turtle in a cool broth seasoned with spices and slowly simmering it. The turtle is alive, and as the water gradually warms up, it drinks the broth due to the heat, thus naturally absorbing the seasonings. As the heat intensifies, watching the turtle writhe in pain in the pot excites diners immensely. When the turtle is finally cooked, both the external broth and the liquid it has consumed give the meat a rich, flavorful taste, making it incredibly delicious.