See a rat in a restaraunt kitchen, and most diners will head for the door – immediately. Not in Guangzhou, it seems, where the worry is more that the kitchen is fully stocked with rodents. The China Daily reports that “many restaurants” in Zhongcun town, in the district of Panyu, feature rat meat dishes. In fact, rat dishes are so popular that booking in advance is required. A staffer with the Jijiao street restaurant told the newspaper that as much as 40kg of rat meat gets sold daily. In case you’re curious, rat can be roasted, stewed, cooked in soup or braised in soy sauce. The town has become famous for the ‘delicacy’, especially with diners who believe the meat to be a cure for baldness. Local residents also subscribe to the saying: “A rat equals three chickens in terms of nutrition.” Still not convinced?
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