Japanese meat cake craze sweeps across nation
We have been celebrating birthdays with cake since the Middle Ages, according to historians. On such an occasion one would expect a light and fluffy body with a cream or jam filling, a good layer of icing and maybe some decoration on top.
But sushi-loving Japan has started celebrating special occasions with a cake made entirely from raw meat.
It seems nothing is safe from the wheel of progress.
Red meat is considered a luxury protein in Japan and the latest trend across the country is to have a cake constructed entirely from raw strips of meat. Smaller cuts are even moulded into flowers and ornate decoration.
The meat is not actually eaten raw, though; it is cooked on a grill straight after being served and has become popular at Japanese grill restaurants, known as yakiniku.
Cakes are usually served with candles, sparklers, flowers and a celebratory plaque too.
Pictures posted on social media reveal the cake craze in all its meaty glory.
昨日の肉ケーキが忘れられない(笑)#肉会#肉ケーキpic.twitter.com/tSTTASPl1i
— 新井雄大 印刷・WEBの販促屋 (@mryaraimdcs) February 24, 2017
肉ケーキをたいらげた。優香お誕生日おめでとう( ˘ω˘ )♡ pic.twitter.com/L17JReVmSY
— なつ坊 (@ntmyc) January 27, 2017
29(肉)歳の誕生日ので素敵なステーキケーキをもらった。 In Japanese "29" sounds like "meat", so I got a meat birthday cake #japan#birthday#肉pic.twitter.com/tmsF83orpo
— Michael Aubrey (@mcaubrey511) May 3, 2016
It appears the trend is spreading from Japan to Europe.
Can you please do me one of these for my Birthday Butcher? @NigelFreddies #meatcakepic.twitter.com/ZxBRFRorXS
— Sarah Marquis (@SarahMarquis86) March 6, 2017
Meat cakes are a birthday trend in Japan. Raw meat shaped into a birthday cake & cooked at the table to eat. The Japanese know how to party pic.twitter.com/Pu8mQuwxa8
— Sherman (@Shermanbot) March 6, 2017
Although not everyone is impressed.
Food// I love me a Japanese BBQ but if anyone got me a meat cake instead of a real cake I would be very disappointed
— madison (@mainvocalwonwoo) March 6, 2017
