Chef Xiao Shan confidently holds up a half-metre long horse penis, proclaiming it “the most delicious” ingredient among a selection of male genitalia featured in a Chinese hotpot, believed by many to serve as a remedy for boosting libido.
A motley collection of penises and testicles from donkey, goat, dog, bull, and deer is displayed on a kitchen table, resembling a sad assortment of oddly sized sausages and veiny, oval-shaped vegetables, awaiting the sharp slice of his towering cleaver.
“The texture and flavour of the (horse) are both excellent. It’s beneficial for health as well,” stated Xiao, who has been crafting dishes from male organs since age 13, inheriting this skill through generations in his family.
The ingredients, harvested from some of Asia’s most untamed regions, are chopped and presented on a bed of lettuce around an ornate glass stand, reminiscent of a high-end cake display for fairy cakes or scones.
According to Li Yanzhi, manager of the Chaoyang location of Guolizhuang, China’s sole penis specialty restaurant chain, the unique dishes are a hit among business gatherings and government officials.
She mentioned that the majority of the clientele are male, many of whom seek to enhance their sexual potency while dining at a venue that also features organs from ram, yak, seal, and snake — the latter boasting two penises.
“Chinese culture believes that consuming specific ingredients can replenish different body parts, suggesting that whatever you eat provides nutrition for that corresponding area,” said Li.
“Men can become stronger and enjoy an enriched sex life by eating penises and testicles.”
Despite the absence of orthodox scientific proof for these assertions, various regional delicacies across Asia share similar claims.
In Lahore, Pakistan’s business hub, Takatak — a dish named for the sound of chopping knives — consists of chopped goat and sheep hearts, brains, kidneys, and testes.
“Essentially, men consume it to enhance their performance in bed,” noted Faher Hayat, a chef at a roadside restaurant serving up this specialty with onions, tomatoes, ginger, pepper, and coriander.
“The brains invigorate the mind, while the testicles possess their own potency.”
Amidst the traffic-laden roads of Jakarta’s old town, men seeking to boost their sexual prowess flock to stalls selling snake blood.
Customers choose a snake, priced at 70,000 rupiah ($6), and the vendor skillfully removes the head with a meat cleaver, letting the blood drain from the snake’s body into a teacup or glass.
A spoonful of honey is mixed in to sweeten the bitter concoction, which is regarded not only as a virility enhancer but also as a treatment for diabetes, high blood pressure, and other health issues.
At the Beijing penis restaurant, Wei Jingsheng, a 47-year-old customer, is a firm believer in the effects of the dishes.
“It works remarkably well,” he said. “After consuming it, my hair stopped falling out, and I now feel energetic throughout the day. Previously, I needed to nap at noon to avoid fatigue, but now I don’t require that. Every aspect of my life has improved dramatically.”
According to the restaurant’s nutritionist, the most sought-after dish is deer, perceived as particularly potent since each breeding male engages with numerous partners.
“One deer penis is equivalent to the potency of three bull penises,” noted Du Yuemei, who visits each table to enlighten guests on the purported health advantages of the meals and share stories of the animals’ vigor in their natural habitats.
With a playful smile, she acknowledges receiving some rather embarrassing inquiries from curious patrons.Customers remain unaffected by attempts to unsettle her.
“I know my job is kind of unusual, but it feels good to know that I am involved in dietary therapy for men. It’s quite unique,” she adds, before performing a curtsey and exiting the room, signaling the waitress to start adding the ingredients into the bubbling soup, which consists of deer heart, duck stock, and Chinese medicine.
The first items to appear — piping hot and with slices slightly shriveled compared to their previous state — are the goat and bull penises.
The bull, having contorted into a squid-like ring due to the heat, carried a familiar beefy flavor but had a chewy texture that was challenging to swallow.
The goat was tendon-like, rubbery, and somewhat stringy, resembling a flavorless, limp stick of licorice.
Both donkey and horse penises were served in strips resembling bacon, but the donkey was neutrally flavored yet darker, while the horse had a robust, meaty flavor that stood out as the most distinctive ingredient of the dish.
Conversely, the testicles exhibited lighter textures, ranging from flaky to roughly between tofu and pâté, often featuring delicate flavors.
The deer penis appeared slightly frayed and was another rubbery dish, while the wild Russian dog had a spicy, almost zesty taste, despite resembling slices of undercooked pig skin.
This was the only imported dish on the menu and the sole animal with a penis bone, which was ceremoniously presented in a red gift box at the meal’s conclusion for good fortune — though not belonging to the original owner.
by David Livingstone
