Lao Bao San

Lao Bao San, as its name suggests, features three ingredients: "liver, kidney, and tenderloin." Each restaurant may use different accompaniments, but most use pork as the main ingredient.

The preparation of Lao Bao San is actually very simple. When this dish was first created, it required only a few seasonings, along with the chef's knife skills and cooking techniques, to captivate the taste buds of many diners. Hence, it earned the reputation of being a home-style dish that requires no additional ingredients—truly authentic. Experienced chefs handle these three ingredients with precise knife work, ensuring each is cut to uniform thickness and roughly the same size. Techniques such as cross-hatch scoring are also fully demonstrated here. To allow the ingredients to absorb flavors better, knife skills are naturally indispensable.

After processing, the three ingredients are coated with starch, with a pinch of salt added to the tenderloin. After a few minutes, oil is poured into a wok to begin cooking. To achieve a tender and smooth texture, it is essential to use plenty of oil at a moderate temperature. The three ingredients are added in the following order: pork tenderloin, pork kidney, and pork liver. Once the surfaces change color, they are immediately removed to prevent overcooking and toughness. Then, a sauce is prepared using ingredients such as water, sugar, white pepper, cooking wine, and minced scallion, ginger, and garlic.

When freshly cooked, Lao Bao San has a glossy sheen and a rich, enticing aroma. It tastes crisp, refreshing, and springy, with a subtle, elusive hint of flavor. It pairs exceptionally well with rice or as a drinking snack—no wonder it is beloved by locals in Tianjin. Not only is Lao Bao San delicious, but its preparation is also simple and easy to master. Whether you are a gourmet or a beginner, once you have tasted this dish, you will surely never want to change your go-to drinking snack, and you will keep singing its praises with every bite.

Chinese Source: fw.whly.tj.gov.cn