OK, well in my personal motto of "I will try anything once." I could not say
"no" to the unusual invitation of dog for lunch. We ordered an expensive plate off the menu hand printed in large Korean character taped above our heads. The ajumma (ma'am) brought to our table a single propane range and pot filled with a variety of greens which was harmless enough, but quickly after she returned with the tray o' dog. She swiftly tonged the pieces of canine meat piece by piece until a small pile mounted in front of us. Soon it began to sizzle. I was with another American teacher. He was finishing his contract in Korea this week and on a plane the next. On his list of "things I must do in Korea" was the eating of dog. We both were reluctant but felt it was an important part of the authentic 'being in Korea' experience.
The meal was bubbling with fervor and with chopsticks poised for action, we stared at the pot for so long that the ajumma called out to us from across the room something in Korean that must have equated to "Its ready already, EAT!" The meat in front of us looked much like pot roast and I tried to convince my self that is was as such.
I, usually not a timid eater, was finding it hard to separate my connotations to the carefully prepared meal in front of me. I chose an indiscriminate piece of meat, placed it carefully in a piece of lettuce, wrapped it tightly, and put it in my mouth. I must say, it wasn't bad, it just wasn't 'worth it' good. What I mean is that it didn't taste good enough that I could relinquish the fact I was eating fido. For the sake of politeness to the ajumma, I mustered through five more bites saturating each generously in sauce and herb powder, none of which made the deed inconsequential.
My companion was equally disturbed and with almost two thirds left of the pile of dog meat in front of us we left the table. We paid the expensive bill and sauntered from the restaurant feeling a little nauseous and regretfully a regretful. We joked about going out for pizza, but I walked on to the bus stop instead. Perhaps this was one of those rare moments when imagining I had done one of those 'crazy things' would have been more much better than actually doing it.
3 comments:
So, we gotta know, what was it like? Was it dry and tough, moist and juicy, pungent or sweet? Are the dogs farm raised for the dinner table or hunted wild? Do they offer different cuts, like steaks or roasts, or is it all going to be ground or shredded?
Is it avaiable at the local Piggly Wiggly (or market square), or does one have to go to a specialty grocer?
And lastly, how accepted is eating dog in Korea? Is it like traditional homecooked meals, or more of a once common but now looked apon as going out of favor things?
Only you can answer these questions.
Or maybe Google.
Take Care,
Jeff
Q: How did dog taste?
A: I wish the story had an ending like "and it was the best meat I ever tasted . . . but alas it was not. It was neither pungent nor sweet, it was more greasy then moist, tender but a guilty tender at best. It is the meal I most regret ever eating.
Q: Where the dogs came from?
A:Well it is said that they are farmed: large dogs that are farmed-a breed that is not ment for domestication-but the bones I saw on other peoples plates would beg to differ. Some people say they are just strays, and it takes many strays to prepare even one dish. This information was not privy to me until after my dining experience, which only makes the whole thing that much more unsettling.
Q: Are there different cuts 'o' dog?
A:There are different plates: the roast, the soup, the ribs; I never saw any doggie burgers.
Q:How accepted is eating dog in Korea?
A: For the most part the dog delicacy is becoming extinct as is much of the subtlties of Korean culture in its acclimation to western culture. I have been told that the dog meat vendors have all but disappeared from the marketplace where once upon a time you could purchase a live dog for your dinner table.
When I tell my students about my eating dog experience most grimace and seem to imply "we are to cilvilized for that now."
Q: Where do you purchase dog for eating?
A: As far as I know, you cannot buy dog easily, but rather go to a restaurant where they appear to be the last frontier on preparing such a controversial meal.
Thanks, a greatful nation turns it's eyes to your posts.
J
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