Datong rabbit head became popular about a decade ago. There is even a street called rabbit head street in the city.
About 40,000 rabbit heads are reportedly sold each day in Datong.
It is easy to cook the gourmet delicacy. The rabbit head is braised with a dozen spices (including green onions, hot peppers and anise) for about three hours.
People are also fond of rabbit meat because of its nutritional value. According to Compendium of Materia Medica, the seminal work of medical and pharmaceutical expert Li Shizhen of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), rabbit meat has the functions of tonifying viscera, removing toxic material and pathogenic heat from the blood as well as nourishing the stomach and bowel.
Modern scientists have proven that rabbit meat contains high protein, lysine and is low in fat, cholesterol and calorie. It can help to prevent modern diseases such as high blood pressure, obesity and arteriosclerosis.