Luzhu huoshao facts for kids
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"Luzhu huoshao" served in a restaurant in Maliandao, Beijing
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| Alternative names | Lu zhu |
|---|---|
| Type | Street food |
| Place of origin | China |
| Region or state | Beijing |
| Main ingredients | Pork lung, Pork belly or Fatback, Pork intestines, Pork liver, Tofu, Bing (bread) |
Luzhu huoshao (pronounced "loo-joo hwah-shao") is a super famous traditional street food from Beijing, China. It means "pork stew with bread." This dish was once seen as a special treat. Today, you can find it everywhere in Beijing.
The main ingredients are pork, pork lung, pork intestines, and pork liver. It also includes tofu and is served with a special flatbread called bing bread. Sometimes, people add fermented bean curd or chives sauce for extra flavor.
What is the History of Luzhu Huoshao?
The story of luzhu huoshao goes way back to the Qing dynasty in Beijing. It started as a fancy dish served in the emperor's palace!
Legend says a chef named Zhang Dongguan created a dish called "su zao rou" around 1790. He made it for the Qianlong Emperor during a trip to Suzhou. Chef Zhang was amazing at cooking with special herbs and spices. The emperor loved his food so much that Zhang became the head chef in the palace.
Over time, the recipe for "su zao rou" left the palace walls. People in Beijing wanted to eat like the emperor! But the main ingredient, pork belly, was too expensive for most people. So, cooks started using cheaper parts of the pork, like lung and intestines. This made the dish affordable for everyone.
This new version, luzhu huoshao, became a popular street food. It's still a favorite in Beijing today!
Why is Luzhu Huoshao So Popular?
Just like Stinky tofu, luzhu huoshao has a very strong smell. This can be a bit surprising if you've never tried it before! But despite its unique smell, it's one of Beijing's most famous traditional street foods. Many local Beijing people say it's a "must-try."
Cui Daiyuan (崔岱远), a writer from Beijing, wrote about luzhu huoshao in his book "The Flavor of Beijing." He said it was "a food that allows the poor people to experience the superior life." This means he felt that street foods like luzhu huoshao gave everyone a chance to taste palace-like food.
Today, eating luzhu huoshao is a special custom for Beijing locals. Not everyone loves the strong smell, but those who do feel a strong connection to it. It's a taste of traditional Beijing culture. You can find many restaurants selling luzhu huoshao in Beijing and even in other countries.
What Makes Luzhu Huoshao Unique?
A good luzhu huoshao has certain qualities that make it special. The meat, like in another dish called baodu, should be chewy but not too tough. It shouldn't fall apart either.
The dish might not look very pretty, but its taste is rich and savory. This comes from a mix of herbs and soy sauce. The huoshao (the flatbread) soaks up all the delicious soup, giving it great flavor.
Pork offal can sometimes have a strong smell. However, a properly made luzhu huoshao is cooked fresh. It should not have any bad taste or smell.
