South Koreans switching to goat amid ban on dog meatーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS
There’s a dish in South Korea that’s said to give people the stamina needed to survive the dog days of summer. Its traditional ingredient is dog meat, which is set to be banned in the country as of February 2027. As NHK World’s Kim Chanju tells us, some restaurants are already switching to a guilt-free alternative, goat. Like many parts of the world, South Korean summers are getting hotter and hotter. Some turn to tradition to beat the heat. Consuming a high protein, hearty stew, now made with goat meat. I think it’s great as a stamina food, especially with how hot summers have been lately. Puyang shik was and in some places still is prepared with dog meat in the belief that its properties can revitalize the body during hot weather. But these days, most South Koreans view canines as companions, not cuisine. Last year, the country banned the slaughter and sale of dog meat, giving the food industry three years to adapt. Some restaurant owners, like this one, have sold dog dishes for decades, but recently noticed tastes changing. So, she’s making the switch. Starting mid August, I’ll follow the new rule and serve only goat meat dishes. It’s just as nutritious as dog meat, so I’m committed to making this work out. That point about nutrition is not all bark. An expert we spoke with says goat has all the restorative benefits offered by dog but without the taboo attached. Korean black goat meat is a high protein low-fat food making it an excellent choice for healthconscious people. It has plenty of minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc. It’s great for nursing mothers, and for elderly people who need more energy. But farmers may not be ready to keep up with demand because the number of goats raised in South Korea fell by around 26% between 2019 and 2024. The decline was due to high costs. Meanwhile, the amount of goat meat imported during that same period almost quintupled. Most comes from Australia. Chugotan has been a goat farmer for 16 years. He says the animal is costly because it has a higher mortality and lower reproductive rate than pigs or cattle. Most people regard goat meat as expensive, but we’re doing our best to lower the price so that everyone can enjoy its health benefits. Chu also runs two restaurants to offer people a taste. He admits goat often has a strong flavor, but says he keeps his herd on a diet of dry grasses, leading to a mellower meat that works in a variety of dishes. It’s delicious. Much better than dog meat in terms of a summer food. It’s warming up my body and making me feel strong. Regardless of controversy, some may miss the old taste. Others will rest easy knowing no dogs were harmed in the making of this summertime tradition. Kim Chanju, NHK World.
A traditional summertime dish in South Korea is getting a makeover as its key ingredient, dog, will soon be unavailable. NHK World’s Kim Chan-ju looks at the new protein source taking over. #southkorea #culture #food
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