Ever wonder why lines at Beijing’s famous Huda Restaurant are so long or how their spicy crayfish could possibly taste so good? The answer may lie in a secret ingredient.
According to China Daily, the Huda is one of 35 restaurants being investigated by authorities for allegedly using opium poppies as seasoning for dishes ranging from dumplings and noodles to crayfish.
The Chinese Food and Drug Administration is leading the cases for 10 of these restaurants while the police handle criminal investigations into the other 25.
Under Chinese law, restaurants are banned from using poppy powder in any amount on food.
Still, that hasn’t stopped some chefs from giving their dishes an extra kick.
In 2014, a number of Shanghai restaurant owners were accused of using opiates on special crayfish dishes. Each was imprisoned for three-and-a-half years..
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