Someone must read the “Letters to the Editor of the IHT”.
A couple of months ago I read an article in the International Herald Tribune about Chinese food outside of China. I wrote a letter, it was never published but one week later I saw the same article in China Daily – without the doubtful black chicken comment. See here the letter, speaks for itself:
RE: Article: 12 February – “A rat in the kitchen” (by Fred Ferretti)
Interesting and correct view on the fake Chinese food in the USA, for us “Chinese” mostly pretty awful. But I disagree that black chickens are never eaten. True, the soup is the focus but I can assure Fred, local Chinese here do eat the chicken too. It is regularly prepared at home and Chinese family members and friends only throw the bones. True, sometimes in the lavish banquets too much food is served so it happens guests just stick to the soup.
Submitted by Gilbert Van Kerckhove (a Rat in Beijing since 1980)
Last note: sometimes we even eat the bones when they are soft as the meat.