Junlian Zhang Beef

Junlian Zhang Beef

　　Junlian’s cured and braised meats are well-known across southern Sichuan, with cured meat stalls found all over the city. Among the beef offerings, Zhang Beef is the most famous. The creator of Zhang Beef, Zhang Yueming (1884–1957), was originally from Jianwei County. In his youth, he moved to Junlian to work in the cured meat trade. After more than forty years, the entire city forgot his name and simply called his product “Zhang Beef.” Zhang Beef comes in over ten varieties, including Lamp Shadow Beef, Hong Kong Beef (with Cantonese flavors), Thousand-Layer Tripe, Jumping Meat, Grilled Beef, Divine Diced Beef, Spicy Shredded Beef, Radish Strips, Beef Tendon, Beef Tripe, Big Tripe, Beef Intestine, and Beef Head Meat. The popularity of Zhang Beef is due to the careful selection of beef and ingredients such as sesame oil, soy sauce, and vinegar, as well as precise knife skills, customized brines for different varieties, and a unique frying technique for pepper oil. These elements together give Zhang Beef a diverse range of textures, distinctive styles, and delicious flavors. Today, Zhang Beef has become a renowned brand of Junlian cured meats, with over ten individual vendors operating under the name.