Mouthing Off | Why is lamb meat divisive? Its gamey flavour, say some who can’t take the ‘ew’ out of ewe

Lamb is one of those foods people love or hate. The latter find its flavour too gamey. Alas, there’s no way to pull the wool from their eyes

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Sheep meat is a food people love or hate, whether it comes in the form of mutton soup (pictured), lamb chops, roast lamb or a kebab. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 7:45am, 1 Jan 2025Updated: 7:48am, 1 Jan 2025

I went for a kebab recently. A friend and I were in Wan Chai, in Hong Kong, and decided to try one of the many Middle Eastern fast-food outlets in the area. I ordered a chicken shawarma, while my friend chose to try the lamb kebab.

When the wraps arrived, she took one bite and announced she could not eat any more, claiming the lamb meat was too gamey for her. I took a small piece to try and, well, it was strong but I didn’t think it was particularly offensive. There’s nothing wrong with it, per se. It’s just the flavour of lamb.

She insisted the smell and musky taste was too much for her. In the end, we swapped lunches.

I know the world is more polarised than ever right now and I guess that includes the dining scene, too. Among the common animal proteins, lamb seems to elicit the most partisan views. There is little middle ground: either people love its earthy flavour or they detest even the faintest hint in the mildest chop.

A lamb kebab from Bismillah Fried Chicken & Pizza at Chungking Mansions in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. Photo: Bruce Yan

People may avoid pork or beef for religious or ethical reasons, but others discriminate against ovine and caprine meats – that’s sheep and goat meats to you and me – because their constitution cannot stomach their odour and taste. When it comes to ewe, their response is always “ew”.

Luckily, I’m not one of those people. I was never a sophisticated eater growing up, but I am always open to trying anything and everything. Liver, innards, weird-looking sea whelks and snails were all welcome experiences. By comparison, lamb is nothing.