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Giant Insect Desserts Cause Outrage in China
27 Oct
Summary
- Restaurant served egg tarts topped with fried water beetles.
- Dish, named 'water roach egg tarts', cost 28 yuan ($4 USD).
- Insects are a local delicacy believed to have medicinal benefits.
A restaurant in southern China has sparked significant controversy with its latest dessert offering: Cantonese egg tarts adorned with large, fried insects resembling cockroaches. The eatery in Shunde introduced the dish, branded "water roach egg tarts," at a price of 28 yuan (approximately $4 USD) for a set of three.
The prominent topping on these tarts is actually a water beetle, a creature recognized as a local delicacy within Guangdong province, an area renowned for its culinary traditions. Traditionally, fried water beetles are consumed as a crunchy snack and are also utilized in Chinese medicine for various purported health benefits, including nourishing the skin and kidneys.
This unique combination of sweet custard and crispy insect has gone viral on Chinese social media platforms. Reactions online have been largely negative, with many users expressing disgust and unwillingness to try the dish. Some commenters noted the rarity and cost of water beetles, often linked to their need for pristine breeding environments.
