Lepus sinensis - PD
China also has hares. Around this part of China these are Chinese hares, Lepus sinensis, only found in a small area of southern China (including Guangxi), a small northern part of our neighbour, Vietnam and Taiwan.
In Chinese thinking, hares are just big rabbits, despite them being a different (although) related species. So, hares are known as 野兔 (yě tù), literally ‘field rabbits’ on the few times they bother to distinguish.
One of my most memorable meals in China was a dish of hare from the nearby county of Lipu. I doubt you’ve heard of the place, but you almost certainly have some of its main export in your homes. It is the clothes hanger central of the world but is mostly rural. Lipu is also well known in China for its prized taro.
Anyway the dish I ate was made by my late sister-in-law who was a wonderful cook. It was spicy, almost curry-like and although the hare was a little gamey, not offensively so and tender. I couldn’t get enough.
I have never seen hare in any market or supermarket and it is not available on either the local delivery app or the main national online shopping portal. It seems the only way to get to hold of it is to find a local hunter!
I'll have to go hunting for a hunter!