Dog meat from Qiaoxu, Binyang

Dog meat from Qiaoxu, Binyang

　　The signature dish of Qiaoxu in Binyang, steamed white-cut dog meat, is made from locally raised village dogs. After slaughtering, the meat is steamed and cooked with a special blend of traditional Chinese herbs. The result is tender, flavorful meat that serves as an excellent warming tonic food, known to nourish yin and invigorate yang. When enjoying Binyang’s white-cut dog meat, it is typically served with pickled ginger, pickled shallots, star fruit, mashed garlic, bird’s eye chilies, perilla leaves, premium peanut oil, and a specially prepared dipping sauce, making the taste even more delicious.

　　Every year on the Summer Solstice, Binyang locals celebrate their traditional “Dog Meat Festival.” During this time, people of all ages and backgrounds across both urban and rural areas of the county enjoy eating dog meat. In Binyang, whether in restaurants or street-side food stalls, white-cut dog meat can be found everywhere—especially at the cooked food stands in the market sheds. Serving white-cut dog meat to guests from out of town is a common hospitality practice in Binyang. In the county seat of Luxu and in Litang, the daily sales of white-cut dog meat range from two to three hundred to as many as five to six hundred dogs. Some restaurants and eateries in the capital city of Nanning even purchase the meat wholesale from Binyang for resale. Many travelers passing through Binyang like to take home three to five kilograms of white-cut dog meat to share with family or friends.

　　In 1990, when the 4th National Ethnic Games were held in Nanning, Binyang’s “white-cut dog meat” and “Binyang sour rice noodles” were showcased at the food and snack street fair. Dozens of orders of white-cut dog meat were sold every day. Thanks to its distinctive flavor, many food enthusiasts came specifically to try it—including the famous Taiwanese personality Mr. Ling Feng, who visited the stall due to its reputation. He gave it high praise and even filmed a video to take back to Taiwan. During the event, the small 20-square-meter stall managed to retail nearly a thousand servings of white-cut dog meat—a feat unmatched in the Nanning market. Truly, “when the aroma of dog meat wafts through the air, even immortals would climb over the wall for a bite.” Why is Binyang’s white-cut dog meat so beloved by diners? Aside from the warming health benefits of dog meat itself, the meat here is tender, snow-white, and clean—preserving the unique meaty fragrance of dog while avoiding the strong gaminess found elsewhere. The seasoning is also unique, offering a well-balanced sweet and sour flavor. These qualities define Binyang’s signature white-cut dog meat. In 1995, during a regional competition for famous dishes, desserts, and snacks held at Nanning’s Southern Hotel, Binyang’s white-cut dog meat was awarded the title of “Excellent Dish.” In 2000, it was further honored with the title of “Famous Dish of Guangxi.”