Hot Pot Surprise

There we were, just before my third Halloween in China, breaking out of our ruts by trying a new restaurant. We could read more things on the menu than ever before, and we boldly selected the cheapest lamb and dog options for our 火锅 huo guo, or hot pot. (Yes, dog – we were brave by now.) Spleen, kidneys, lungs…it didn’t matter. We were saving travel money, and we could handle it.

While waiting for our newfound delicacies to arrive, I set about slowly translating our selection (yes, AFTER ordering it). “What did you find?” Melody asked.

I gulped. “I’ll tell you after we eat it,” I calmly replied, complete with a bright smile, the sure fire way to make any normal person want to know RIGHT NOW what it is they’re about to ingest. Indeed, Melody demanded instant gratification. I angled my phone in her direction, Pleco gleaming brightly on the screen.

“We’ve just ordered lamb’s blood and dog penis,” I proclaimed, just before our overexcited waitress arrived with the gems on a platter, setting them down beside our now-boiling cauldron of fragrant herbs.

How very appropriate for Halloween.

Melody nodded appreciatively, mustering up courage. “Dig in,” she invited herself as well as me, dumping the plate into the steaming broth.