Indonesian restaurants take bat stew off menu – for now

Local delicacy: Paniki is well-loved among the Manadonese and is often served during special occasions. — The Jakarta Post/ANN

MANADO: In light of the novel coronavirus outbreak, restaurants in Manado, North Sulawesi, have temporarily stopped selling bat dishes. “We haven’t sold (bat dishes) for a week. We are worried because we’ve learned that bats may be carrying the virus, ” Mereyke, who owns a restaurant near Tikala Manado street, said on Tuesday.

Mereyke said bat meat stewed in coconut milk had been one of his best sellers, along with other bat dish variations.