Snake soup or stew (Chinese: 蛇羹; pinyin: shé gēng; Jyutping: se4 gang1) is a popular Cantonese delicacy and health supplement in Hong Kong, which contains the meats of at least two types of snakes as the main ingredients. The soup tastes slightly sweet because of the addition of chrysanthemum leaves and spices, while the snake meat in the soup is said to resemble the texture and taste of chicken meat.[1][2] Snake soup is usually served in specialised stores known as "Snake King" or "Shea Wang", mostly located in Shum Shui Po and Kowloon City, in fall or winter season for approximately $60 HKD (US$7.75) per bowl.[2] Originated centuries ago during the Era of Warring States, snake soup has been lauded in Chinese culture for its alleged medicinal benefits and high nutritional value. However, there are concerns in recent years that the snake soup industry in Hong Kong is on the decline because soup makers have few people to pass on their skills.[3]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
inocentiowas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Slurping snake soup in Hong Kong, Seattle Times, Kabir Chibber (2009).
- ^ Pak, Jennifer "Last orders for Hong Kong's snake soup?" BBC (2013).