Shark Fin Soup: A Complex Cultural Tradition in Crisis Shark fin soup has been a staple of Chinese cuisine for centuries, prized by diners for its delicate flavor and supposed medicinal properties.
However, the reality behind this luxury dish is far from luxurious. The shark fin trade is driven by cultural tradition, economic necessity, and human exploitation.
Understanding the Basics of Shark Fin Soup Shark fin soup originated in traditional Chinese medicine, where sharks' fins were believed to possess restorative properties.