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#14 - From Erica:

You knew someone would dare you to eat dog while you were in Vietnam, didn’t you?

Reward $20

Status: Completed

At some point in Thailand, I resolved to skip traveling through Vietnam to hasten my departure from the Asian continent. As a result, I targeted Cambodia as my best shot at eating dog to complete Erica’s dare (clearly she is a cat person!). After wetting my palette with bugs, Phi-lay dropped me off at the hotel so I could shower the day’s accumulation of red dirt off my body.

He picked me up again at 4pm and took me to a local restaurant where the chef/owner has served dog for the last 10 years. I imagine the last time a Westerner ate there was NEVER! Yet there were several tables of Cambodians and it wasn’t even the dinner rush. I required a beer for this one, and Phi-lay joined me on that note. As we awaited our food, I took a photo of the chef, and upon showing him, he proudly ran around the place showing people the photo of him holding a giant pot of dog parts. Who are we to judge whether this delicacy is right or wrong?

I asked to try both of the available dog dishes - grilled and a greasier, bone-inclusive stew (complete with kidneys). Phi-lay assured me the food was safe as doctors visit the farms where the dogs are raised. Mint leaves and sliced young banana were accompaniments, along with a tasty curry dipping sauce. After a few bites of the grilled dog meat, which seemed to be in the shape of sausage, and the yuckier stew, I tried to be polite and focused on gobbling up the crunchy and delicious young banana slices which went well with the now dog-flavored dipping sauce.

Phi-lay admitted to not being keen on dog either (he needed a beer with he meal too), though I was glad he joined me. Thankfully, his wife was beginning to prepare a proper dinner back at home, and I was invited!

PS - I love dogs. Especially Bernese Mountain Dogs. I even scratch the scruffy beach dogs. Just not the possibly rabid ones that look like the living dead.

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