Grilled spleen skewers

Grilled spleen skewers are a popular street food in several regions of China, particularly in northern and northeastern areas. The dish consists of fresh pork or lamb spleen, cleaned, cut into bite-sized pieces, skewered, and grilled over charcoal with a savory blend of spices like cumin, chili powder, and salt. It is often served as a flavorful, protein-rich snack or appetizer.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is very high in protein and relatively low in carbohydrates, with a moderate amount of fat. It is an excellent source of iron, vitamin B12, and other B vitamins, providing a rough ballpark of 150-200 calories per typical serving of 3-4 skewers.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	170 kcal
Protein	22 g
Carbs	1 g
Fat	8 g
Fiber	0 g
Sugar	0 g
Sodium	450 mg
Iron	8 mg
Vitamin B12	25 µg
Zinc	4 mg
Selenium	30 µg
Phosphorus	350 mg
Copper	0.5 mg
Riboflavin (B2)	0.4 mg
Niacin (B3)	6 mg

Per 3-4 skewers (approx. 100 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culinarily, it's prized for its unique, slightly mineral-rich flavor and tender texture when cooked properly. Nutritionally, it's a concentrated source of heme iron, which is highly bioavailable, making it a traditional food for those needing to boost iron levels.