Wan Gu Lamb Stew

Wan Gu Lamb Stew

　　Wan Gu Lamb Stew originated in Wan Gu Town, a renowned town in northern Henan Province. It dates back to the Qing Dynasty during the reign of Emperor Qianlong and has a long history as a famous local specialty food.

　　Legend has it that when Emperor Qianlong toured the south, he tasted delicacies from mountains and rivers across the land, as well as local famous snacks. One day, while passing through Wan Gu Town—then bustling with merchants and lined with shops and restaurants—he suddenly caught the aroma of a unique fragrance wafting through the streets. His appetite was instantly stirred, and his imperial countenance lit up with delight. He quickly summoned an attendant to investigate, only to find that the aroma came from the local specialty: lamb stew being prepared. He then ordered the entourage to head to the Jade Emperor Pavilion to stay and requested that Wan Gu Lamb Stew be served for the meal. After tasting it, he repeatedly praised it as a heavenly delicacy and later included Wan Gu Lamb Stew in the imperial court’s menu.

　　The legitimate inheritor of the lamb stew recipe, Mr. Shen Zizhong, the 19th-generation descendant of the Shen family, mastered the authentic techniques of stew-making from his ancestors. He excelled in stew preparation, producing a lamb stew that was bright in color, delicious in taste, and uniquely flavorful—renowned far and wide. It is said: “You may have eaten all around the five lakes and four seas, but nothing beats a bowl of Wan Gu Lamb Stew noodles.” To promote this distinctive food, in 1992, he undertook redevelopment research. Building on traditional craftsmanship, he applied scientific formulation using high-quality lambs from the Central Plains region, selecting premium fresh lamb, and blending it with over ten kinds of aromatic spices. The product undergoes frying, boiling, vacuum packaging, and high-temperature sterilization to create a finely processed final product. This ensures both preservation and portability. It is truly a convenient ready-to-eat soft-packaged cooked meat product.

　　Shen Yongguang, the 20th-generation legitimate inheritor and a master of stew-making, studied under Master Shen Zizhong for many years. In 1998, he founded the Huaxian Wan Gu Yongxing Canned Beef and Lamb Food Factory. He further inherited and developed the product, making the lamb stew even more exquisite in color, aroma, and taste. It meets the consumption demands of people in the new century who value natural, green, healthy, and nutritious foods. The product sells well nationwide. In 2006, it was awarded the title of “Consumer Trusted Unit” by the Huaxian Consumer Association, and in 2007, it obtained national food quality and safety market access certification.

　　Ingredients: Fresh lamb, lamb fat, refined iodized salt, flavor essence, over ten kinds of aromatic spices.

　　How to eat: Can be used in lamb soup, lamb noodles, lamb stew noodles, lamb stir-fried with scallions, or directly added to hot pot.