GAMERFOOD – The release of Metal Gear Solid Delta (original title: Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) isn’t just exciting news for video game fans; it also gives us the perfect excuse to dive into a unique culinary world: the eating of snake meat. The 2004 classic Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater didn’t get its name by accident – survival in the jungle meant relying on whatever food source was available, including snakes. Now, with the remake right around the corner, it’s time to look at why snake is considered special, what health benefits it is believed to have, how it’s prepared around the world, and where you can actually try it – even in Hungary.
In the iconic Snake Eater theme song, the phrase “Snake Eater” is more than just a play on the hero’s codename – it symbolizes the survivor who can wrest sustenance from anything in a hostile jungle. And that image isn’t far from reality: in many countries snake meat is not only a delicacy, but also a dish eaten every day.
The Health Benefits and Flavor of Snake Meat
In Eastern medicine, snake meat is regarded as a healing food. Traditional Chinese medicine claims snake helps blood circulation, supports the liver, strengthens the immune system, and reduces inflammation. Some sources even recommend it for rheumatic complaints and attribute virility-boosting properties to it. Western nutritionists have also taken note: snake meat is high in protein yet extremely low in fat and calories. A 100-gram serving contains only about 93 calories but nearly 16 grams of protein, while carbs are virtually absent. It’s also rich in B vitamins, iron, calcium, and vitamin D, making it a healthy alternative to more common meats (Napitanacsok).
Taste-wise, many say it’s like chicken, others say fish, but most agree it’s a strange yet pleasant mix of both. The texture can be chewy, but when cooked properly it becomes juicy and flavorful. In China it’s often served as soup, in Vietnam it’s grilled or fried, but it can also be used in curries and stews. It’s usually paired with lime, garlic, hot sauces, or fried onions to highlight its slightly sweet notes.
Where Can You Eat Snake Around the World?
In Asia, snake meat is far less of a novelty than in Europe. In China, particularly in Canton and Hong Kong, snake soup (蛇羹) has a centuries-old tradition. It’s believed to warm the body during cold months and is even considered medicinal (Pvgazeta). The soup is made from several species of snake, slow-cooked with mushrooms, bones, and spices to create a thick, collagen-rich broth.
In Shanghai and Beijing, it’s not unusual to see street vendors keeping live snakes under the counter. The customer picks one, and it’s killed and cooked on the spot – fried, grilled, or stewed. A Hungarian foodie couple even documented the experience in Shanghai: the snake’s head is cut off, the meat hits the pan within minutes, and it’s served with lemon and spicy sauces. For them, the taste fell somewhere between chicken and fish.
In Vietnam, eating snake has become a ritual in its own right. Around Hanoi, there are restaurants specializing exclusively in snake. The diner selects a live cobra, and the animal is turned into multiple dishes: snake soup, grilled snake, fried bites, and even snake liquor made with its blood and heart. This ritual drink is considered to have health benefits, and many tourists give it a try.
Snake is also found in Thailand, Laos, and Indonesia, usually in curries or soups. In the United States, it shows up in exotic restaurants – in Texas and Florida, for example, snake is offered alongside alligator or frog legs. There it’s most often served as steak or grilled, accompanied by hot sauces (Marxim).
Snake Eater in the Game
One of the biggest innovations of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater was how survival was tied to food. Naked Snake didn’t just rely on weapons and stealth tactics; he also had to hunt and eat what the jungle provided. Throughout the game, you can catch and eat different types of snakes – green pythons, king snakes, and water snakes. They can be eaten raw (prompting Snake to groan in disgust) or cooked, which earns a much happier reaction. Food wasn’t just for immersion: it affected the stamina system and became an actual gameplay mechanic (Wired).
There’s also a memorable scene – SPOILER – where Snake and Eva, the undercover agent, roast a snake on a campfire in a cave. It not only deepens their bond but also underlines the symbolism of survival, trust, and instinct that runs through the game.
Snake eating thus became one of the game’s defining motifs: grotesque, humorous, yet strangely realistic. Snake’s eating sounds even turned into a meme, fondly remembered by fans to this day.
A Bite of Snake – Where Game and Reality Meet
Whether it’s a Shanghai street vendor, a Vietnamese snake banquet, or a python steak at Budapest’s Safari GrillHouse, snake meat means different things everywhere: exotic delicacy, survival food, ritual, or adventure. In Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, it became a virtual reflection of real-life practices. Now, with Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater on the horizon, it’s the perfect moment to ask: what does it really mean to be a “Snake Eater”?
And don’t forget: the full review of the game will be published on theGeek tomorrow or the day after, where we’ll find out whether this reheated “snake meat” is tough and chewy, or a dish worth savoring.
-Gergely Herpai “BadSector”-
