Monkey brains

[1][2] Initial confusion over a translated term for the edible monkey-head mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) may have played a part in the belief that monkey brains were used in Asian cuisine.

Actual monkey brains were historically part of the Manchu Han Imperial banquet of the Qing Empire held during the 17th century,[4] where they may have been eaten directly from the skull.

[8] Official Chinese policy on the procurement of certain wildlife species in the 21st century makes the serving of monkey brains illegal, with sentences of up to 10 years in prison for violators.

[10] Consuming the brain and other nervous system tissues of some animals is considered hazardous to human health,[11] possibly resulting in transmissible encephalopathies such as Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease.

In actuality no monkey was harmed in the making of the scene,[14][15] as the hammers were made of foam and the 'monkey's head' was a prop filled with gelatin, red food coloring, and cauliflower to simulate brain matter.

Simulated monkey brains displayed at the Tao Heung Museum of Food Culture in Hong Kong, depicted as part of the Manchu Han Imperial Feast
The edible fungus species Hericium erinaceus , known as the monkey head mushroom, bears superficial resemblance to the fur of certain Asian primates such as macaques . [ 3 ]