Dog meat has been eaten for thousands of years. China, Central America, Europe, North America, South America, Polynesia, Africa, and Asia have all been recorded as dog-eating continents. But what does dog taste like?
Dog meat tastes quite fatty and highly fragrant. Consider a cross between beef and mutton, add extra flavoring, and you’ve got the taste of dog.
Dog meat is more commonly eaten during the cold winter months because it is considered a “warming food” according to traditional food classification.
In this article, I will discuss dog, what it tastes like, which countries eat it most and how it is prepared.
What is dog meat?
It is the flesh and other edible parts that are gotten from dogs. Human consumption of dog meat has been recorded in different parts of the world.
Dog meat is known for its taste in many parts of the world. In some cultures, dog meat is considered a daily cuisine, while some others see it as taboo. Although, human has consumed it in times of war and hardships.
What does dog meat taste like?
Dog meat tastes gamy, fatty, and fragrant. Take a cross between beef and mutton, and that extra meaty flesh gives a taste of a Dog.
The overall flavor often depends on things like a dog’s diet, the breeding conditions, and the cooking methods.
People from Asian countries describe dog meat’s taste as sweet, tender, and even a hint of bitterness. At the same time, others describe it as fatty and tender.
SEE: What Does Rabbit Meat Taste Like?
How does dog taste compare to other meat?
Dog meat is often described as a combination of mutton and beef taste. The fragrance of the dog meat is enticing when compared to beef while being less gamy.
Compared to pork, the fatty flavor of the dog meat is less but is still noticeable when tasted. Another interesting meat taste comparison came from some Australians, and they describe the dog as meat with a gamy flavor similar to that of kangaroo meat.
SEE: What Does Goat Taste Like?
Which countries eat dogs?
1. China
There is a belief that dog meat, just like the cat, will make you feel warmer, and this is the reason why it is still popular.
It is no wonder when listing where you will find dog meats; you will have Guangdong. In June each year in the city of Yulin, thousands of dogs are slaughtered for their meats.
According to The Guardian, China eats at least 10 to 20 million dogs every year.
2. South Korea
In South Korea, dog meat is edible all year round but more so during summer. To the South Koreans, when you eat dog meat during the hot summer days, then you will manage to beat the heat.
3. Vietnam
In this country, you can bet to eat dog meat at any time of the year. They also collect stray dogs for consumption. There is a high demand for dog meat; usually, they will make stews, casseroles, barbecues, and many more with this meat.
4. Africa
There are places where dog meat is a staple in Africa too. Some states in Nigeria eat dogs, other places in Cameroon, Ghana, and the democratic republic of Congo.
5. French Polynesia
Mostly on islands like Tahiti, whenever there is not enough meat, they tend to go for dog meat.
6. Switzerland
For people from the alpine region, it is one of the standard practices to eat dog meat. However, they have a specific type of dog meat; they prefer the rottweiler dog.
7. Japan
In Japan, eating dog meat is not as common as it is in all these other places discussed, but they do have restaurants focused solely on serving dog meat. So you may have just a few Japanese eating this meat but not necessarily the majority.
SEE: What Does Raccoon Taste Like?
How to prepare dog meat?
Different countries cook dog meat differently. The easiest way to cook it using the barbecuing method, where you have the meat cooking over charcoal.
In most cases, this never alters the dog meat except for imparting the smoky flavor onto the meat.
If you are in Vietnam, then you cook the meat in seven different ways. You can use the steaming method, stewing, grilling, or frying it in the lemongrass with chili.
SEE: Best Grill Temperatures to Make the Best Steaks
Should you eat dogs?
From a hygienic standpoint, many of these dogs are raised in poor conditions with minimal regulations. This may have severe health risks to the consumers.
Disclaimer: Cheffist does not endorse the eating of dogs.
SEE: Ways to Know When Your Meat Is Done
FAQs
Are there any risks in eating dog meat?
Yes, there are. Study shows that it may contain parasitic worms.
Which country eats dog meat the most?
China remains the largest dog meat consumer in the world. They eat at least 10 to 20 million dogs every year.
Is cat meat sweeter than dog meat?
No, it isn’t. Although it depends on preference, the dog is more tender and flavorful than the cat.
Is dog meat considered red or white meat?
They are considered red meat.
Conclusion: What does dog taste like?
Dogs taste quite fatty and extremely fragrant. Like a blend of beef and mutton with extra flavoring. It is also a staple in some parts of the world.
Dog soup, braised dog, dog stew, stir-fried dog, and dog meat hot pot are all typical and common dishes made with dog meat. While eating it is by choice, Cheffist does not endorse eating dogs.
I hope you enjoyed this article, if you did, you should also see what cats taste like.
Thank you for reading this article.
