Why do people have the misconception that Chinese food consist of dog and cat?

Question

I am really curious because I love Chinese Food and am wondering why people come to that conclusion.

Answer 1

It is not a misconception in the sense that Chinese do eat dogs.  I have a Chinese co-worker who explained that yes they do eat animals in their country that we call pets.   If it isn't PF Chang's China Bistro, I won't eat any.  In my small town south of Chicago, a Chinese restaurant was shut down because someone in the strip mall found the cat and dog carcases in a shared dumpster behind the restaurant.  Obviously authorities and health department was contacted and confirmed that this indeed was what had been going on.

Answer 2

We don't...

Answer 3

It's true that some eat dogs. The younger generation not so much. Dog meat is popular in Vietnam. Gourmet, even. It's normal to them. I've seen cute fat puppies squashed into cane cages for sale at markets there. Why anyone would want to eat the stinking flesh of a carnivore, I have no idea why, other than some kind of gross acquired taste or hunger desperation.... bleurgh! But it's very very very unlikely to be in your local Chinese restaurant in America. So don't worry.

But if you're still worried, the Chinese and Vietnamese make the best vegetarian food in the world... so you can't go wrong there.

Answer 4

Because a lot of people get their info from the television.

Answer 5

Go to China and then u will know why!!

Answer 6

because they are Ignorant bigots and make every attempt to demean that what  they imagine as different. they take facts out of context and advertise  just how rude they can be.

Answer 7

It is not a misconception - they do indeed eat dogs. Cats and rats - I'm not sure about.

Although the dog eating "business" - is slowly declining.

Answer 8

Ignorance. Dog and cat meat are expensive. You think the Chinese are so stupid to give customers expensive meat? These are some of the shrewdest business people on the planet. Ignorance, racism and mischief are reasons why they think and disemminate trash-talk. These are those who are less educated without ever leaving their own country borders - people living under a rock.

Answer 9

it is no mystery that some provinces in china eat dog and cat.

dog and cat were no different than pig and cow, just a source of protein. while american see it as such a taboo simple because we treated them as "pet", part of the family.

but dog and cat eating is very regional, i am very certain that no chinese restaurants in the states even dare to offer dog or cat meat. i think it is the stereotype for people who hates chinese food.

Answer 10

you forgot rats. maybe they do it in china but i think chinese  take out wouldnt have it.

Answer 11

well they do actually eat many different things in China, particularly southern China, but i personally do not have the impression you are mentioning. i have heard it mentioned more about Korean food.  it's just a subtle form of racism, if you ask me.  although it is partially based on fact.  and like your other answerer said, pretty unlikely in the U.S.