Shiqiu Dog Meat

Shiqiu Dog Meat

　　Shiqiu dog meat enjoys widespread fame and is hailed as a renowned delicacy of the Jiangnan region. A fascinating local legend is also associated with dog meat.

　　　　One year, while a dog meat vendor in Shiqiu Town was preparing the meat, a wild-eyed monk suddenly walked by and said, “Your dog meat smells amazing—could you spare me a little to try?” The female vendor generously replied, “Master, help yourself.” Without hesitation, the mad monk grabbed a piece with his hand, ate it as he went, and remarked that while the meat smelled good, its flavor could be improved. The vendor asked for his advice. Calmly, the monk wiped his hand over his body, tossed whatever he had gathered into the pot, and then wandered off again in his eccentric manner.

　　　　From then on, the dog meat from this vendor’s stall became extraordinarily delicious, and business flourished. Seeing the profits to be made, many families in town followed suit and started selling dog meat, making Shiqiu dog meat widely known far and wide, earning praise throughout the Jiangnan area.

　　　　In Shiqiu folklore, not only is dog meat not served on dining tables, but it also cannot be cooked or boiled in regular stoves. The slaughtering, cooking, and sharing of the meat follow a unique set of practices. For instance, locals cook dog meat using “a big iron pot, an earthen hearth, no firewood bundles, but straw; no oil, no seasonings, no lid on the pot—just a bamboo hat.” It all relies on the experience of seasoned chefs to control the heat and bring out the natural flavors, resulting in particularly aromatic meat. When eating dog meat, locals don’t use bowls or chopsticks—they wrap the meat in lotus leaves and eat it by hand, dipping it in a bit of salt. This method is said to be the most authentic way to enjoy it.

　　　　Shiqiu Dog Meat — The “century-old brand” Shiqiu Dam Dog Meat, although highly renowned across the Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui regions, has its unique cooking techniques passed down only through oral tradition among the people. In 2002, Zhang Yehua, then 31 years old, invested in purchasing multi-functional pots, vacuum packaging machinery, microwave sterilization equipment, and more, and built the Shiqiu Dog Meat Factory. He registered the “Shiqiu” brand trademark and developed a series of dog meat products by combining traditional recipes with modern processing techniques. Only then did Shiqiu dog meat step out of its traditional handmade workshop. Currently, the market for Shiqiu dog meat has expanded from Jiangsu to Shanghai, Anhui, and Zhejiang.