Guanlan Dog Meat

Last updated 2026-11-15 — Guanlan dog meat is quite distinctive and is one of the famous dishes in Guangdong cuisine. The tradition of eating dog meat has a long history. As recorded in the "Siji · Tai" chapter: "In the first month of autumn... the Son of Heaven eats hemp and dog." By the Han dynasties, the custom of eating dog meat had spread across the north and south, and its flavor was considered superior to that of lamb and pork. In the Lingnan region—including Chaozhou, Meizhou, Bao’an (now Shenzhen), and Guangzhou—eating dog meat has remained popular through the ages and has long been regarded as a delicacy. The ancients believed that eating dog meat on the summer solstice could ward off disasters and cure ailments, hence the proverb: "If you don’t eat dog on the solstice, you’ll have no luck." Since dog meat is considered hot in nature, eating it on the summer solstice is now mainly practiced among the Hakka people. Most regions regard dog meat as a winter tonic. Dog meat combines the tenderness of mutton, the aroma of rabbit meat, and the savory taste of chicken, offering rich nutrition and believed to strengthen the body, fortify bones, prevent illness, and prolong life—thus the saying: "Eat dog meat in December, see its benefits in June." Guanlan dog meat restaurants enjoy brisk business all year round, mostly run by Hakka people. There are both hot dishes and cold dishes. Hot dishes primarily use dog meat as the main ingredient, cooked with nearly 20 different seasonings. The main varieties include raw dog meat, original casserole dog meat, steamed dog meat, braised dog meat, stir-fried dog meat, dog meat balls, and dog meat soup. Cold dishes mainly include dog offal and sliced boiled dog meat.