Fried Wild Rat with Basil

Fried wild rat with basil is an unusual delicacy typical of aboriginal Taiwanese cuisine. The dish is prepared by deep-frying locally caught wild rats which have been cleaned, skinned, and coated with seasoned batter, and then flavoring the meat with freshly chopped Taiwanese basil. Said to have a hint of gaminess in it, the flavor of wild rat meat is often compared to that of a rabbit. This dish has been traditionally prepared by the indigenous Puyuma people.