According to local media including Hong Kong media South China Morning Post, a cafe in Zhangyu City, Sichuan Province, China has launched a so-called “pork tripe latte.” Pork tripe latte is a beverage that is made of boiled pork tripe and soup mixed with latte. The price is 32 yuan per cup, and you can choose from three categories: introductory, intermediate, and high-end.
“Hongsoyuk (Chinese dish made by boiling pork in soy sauce and sugar) style pork tripe is very popular in Jiangyuxi,” the cafe’s owner said. “I came up with a menu that combines coffee and tripe to promote representative city food,” he said. “It tastes similar to ‘sweet and salty cheese’ because it is salty.” Gopchang on top of a latte is purchased from a famous restaurant and used, and the latte contains 6 grams of cooked tripe soup.
The pork tripe latte, which was launched earlier this month, gained popularity through word of mouth through local social media such as Baidu. The cafe’s owner said sales more than quadrupled after the release of the pork tripe latte, and about 80 percent of cafe customers visit to drink the drink. A Chinese customer who tried the coffee said, “It’s unexpectedly delicious.”
However, people are divided over the coffee. Internet users commented, “I’m curious how it tastes like cheese,” “I like pork tripe and latte. I want to try it,” “I have a good idea, but it doesn’t look good at all,” and “Don’t play with food.”
SOPHIA KIM
US ASIA JOURNAL
