Is It Too Weird For You To Try

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If you want to dig into Hong Kong’s history, look no further than its food. Let me tell you it is not too weird for you to try!

Snake Soup Hong Kong

Our journey began in the Shaeung Wan neighborhood, where we discovered a plethora of dried seafood.

As Johannes clarified how the drying technique is an important component of Cantonese cuisine, you might wonder why dried seafood is used in Hong Kong, which is unquestionably a water capital.

Can You Eat Snake

I know I know. It’s creepy even thinking about it!

Snakes elicit a variety of reactions. Mine usually is, if I see one, immediate terror. 

But, if we dig deeper, snakes have been prized for centuries in Asia. They’ve been used in traditional medicines. 

And, Hong Kong is famous for its snake soup 

Snakes have long been prized in Asia, where they are used in traditional medicines, as well as in dishes such as Hong Kong’s famed snake soup. In recent years, snake farms have sprung up across Southeast Asia and China, catering to growing demand for snake meat and skins, used in luxury leather goods.

International Food

Recently snake farms have been popping up across areas of Southeast Asia and China. Of course, most of these farms are for the skins and snake skins used in luxury leather goods. 

But, when Pop and I traveled to Asia, China, Singapore and Hong Kong, well, we had to experience a hard-to-find, off the beaten track, hole in the wall, relatively small restaurant that served only one thing, snake soup!

Weird Food Combos

Here’s Wikipedia’s description of snake meat:

“On a par with fish, snake meat tastes much richer and is chewier than the former. Ramy Inocencio of CNN describes that “Minced dark mushrooms, finely julienned chicken, fragrant chopped ginger and other herbs and spices fill out the recipe, making for a hearty broth. It tastes like chicken too – though a tad tougher.”

Wanna know my impression? Read on my friends.

Snake as Food in China

OK, so we meandered along with our adorable talkative Asian guide along streets in Hong Kong that you’d probably never see unless you know where you’re going. 

We approached this very small shop with the entire front open. No door. Just an open space about the size of a single wide trailer. 

You could see the old antique looking checkout area with a cash register from decades ago and also stacked mahogany boxes, with holes (about the size of nickles) drilled all around the sides. On top of this stack of boxes was a metal cage. Yes, you could clearly see the snakes slithering around rearing their bodies and at times those infamous fangs showing or the darting tongues. 

Weirdest Foods

Yes, snakes are probably one of the weirdest foods out there. In the Western world we’re probably not much liking of them. But, don’t judge a book by its cover. 

According to the BBC, “A new study by Macquarie University in Australia claims that munching on the snakes, which are some of the largest in the world, could be better for the planet than some of the meat we usually have for dinner like chicken or cows.”

Writing in the journal Scientific Reports, the researchers argue that this is because they are easier to farm, use less resources and are more sustainable.

Their meat is also healthy as it is high in protein and low in saturated-fat.

Weird Foods to Try

We entered the restaurant. Along the sides of the interior walls were more boxes stacked at least 6 feet high. All filled with snakes.

It was easier to examine the contents of one of the many boxes that lined the walls of this modest eatery. I would have been insulting and disrespectful to the proprietor if I had shared any dissatisfaction with his eatery.

We must keep in mind that we live in a wide, big world with a lot of different people, tastes, and predilections.

I think it’s critical if you want to get the best out of your trip to go with an ‘open mind’. And, as you can see in the picture below, I was able to shoot this photo while remaining composed and cool! Ally, Anthony Bourdain, step down!

Crazy Foods

We then put our order for a bowl of snake soup. Johannes, our young Millenial guide, described the soup as thick, gelatinous, and creamy, with chicken broth and Chinese ham for flavoring, black fungus, dried tangerine peel, ginger, and, of course, snake.

There are five different types of snake meat. The broth has the taste and color of mushroom soup at first sight. Our plates were topped with crispy croutons and shredded kafir lime leaves in hairlike strips.

So, yes, I can say that I have tried snake soup. Why would I come five thousand plus miles and turn up my nose to it. 

My dislike was all based upon ‘perception’ from my upbringing and culture. 

You know, that’s the think about traveling. It allows you to see that there’s a big diverse amazing world out there. The more we understand that everyone is different, yet, we have more commonalities, the better, I think, we all will be.