By Douglas Habecker

There's no better time than the Year of the Snake to discover what many local folks already know--that snakes, despite their slithering ways, make for some pretty good eating.

The consumption of snakes and snake-derived products has been a long-standing tradition among the Chinese, who believe that there are very specific health benefits to be gained from snakes which also are simply tasty.  Granted, snake still remains a relatively-unique culinary dish and must be sought out at specific specialty shops and restaurants. 

In Taichung, one veteran in this field is the snake restaurant at 110, Ta Cheng Street, in the heart of Taichung's Chunghua Night Market and open from 4 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.  Coming from Taichung Park on Kungyuan Road, turn right at the last traffic light before Chungshan Road intersection and it's on the right, just past the movie theater.

Once upon a time, this place drew nightly crowds, gawking at the spectacle of live snakes--big and small, venomous and not--being played with and then ignominiously zipped open with a knife for their blood, bile and organs.  Stricter laws and, perhaps, a greater sensitivity to animal cruelty issues means that those days are now over.  The sinister-looking pile of snakes kept in large cages are still killed, but quietly without any show.

Experienced locals and foreigners alike will readily testify to the delicious nature of snake soup, available for NT$100 with bones and NT$200 without.  Many people say that the tender white meat tastes like--you guessed it--chicken.  Sellers say that the soup is not only tasty but has health benefits, such as being good for one's skin.

Those a bit more adventurous may want to try a more famous snake product--blood.  Seen among foreigners around Asia as a good way to show how hard-core macho one is, snake blood is widely considered a male aphrodisiac among Asians.  In addition to being a virility-booster, it is also supposed to be good for the eyes and lower spine and as a relief for fatigue.  A small glass of straight blood or snake blood alcohol will cost NT$100.  Experienced drinkers seem to go for the bottoms-up approach rather than the more timid sipping technique.

Finally, there are also other snake products, such as snake powder, which is considered an easier, quicker way to obtain the purported health benefits without any extra trouble.  This is usually sold in various sizes of jars, costing NT$1,000 to NT$3,000 each.

For any number of reasons, eating snakes or snake parts might not be everyone's cup of tea or, rather, bowl of soup.  However, if the idea of consuming a creepy-crawly doesn't bother you, give it a try.  You may be pleasantly surprised.