Asia in 3 minutes: be careful of the deer in Japan (they bite) and booze in Korea and Indonesia (can kill)
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That stings! Soju mixed with wasps is becoming a concern in South Korea
South Korean authorities have warned people who enjoy a rare flavour of soju not to mix wasps into their drinks. Mixing the insects into the nation's favourite alcohol is believed to be good for high blood pressure and diabetes.
Some people add other critters, such as centipedes and earthworms, to concoct their own soju health tonics. An illegal wasp-based soju shop in Hwaseong was found in February, according to South Korea’s special judicial police. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety did not know how many people were making soju with wasps, but stressed people should be aware of what they should and should not eat.
What next: A ministry researcher said it was no more than a rumour that wasps could help restore health. He added, however, that it was also a subculture that had been around for a long time, and had worsened since people began sharing recipes and the product it online.
“That’s when we felt a need to warn people of the danger before it gets out of control,” the researcher said.
