Li's Plain-Boiled Sheep's Head

Li's Plain-Boiled Sheep's Head

　　   When it comes to old Beijing, Li's Plain-Boiled Sheep's Head is no stranger. Tracing its origins, this delicacy first appeared after the failure of Li Zicheng’s peasant uprising. Some remnants of Li Zicheng’s forces stationed in Liying, Daxing, on the outskirts of Beijing, and later integrated into the local civilian population. In addition to farming, they also engaged in trading cattle and sheep. Unsold sheep heads and offal were boiled in plain water, and surprisingly, they found the taste delicious. Over time, the dish was refined and improved, eventually becoming a livelihood and gradually making its way into the city. By the late Qing Dynasty, it had gained fame throughout Beijing and was especially popular among commoners. As a humble street food, Li's Plain-Boiled Sheep's Head remained a small-scale operation without a fixed storefront. For years, vendors carried wooden boxes and sold the dish door-to-door, hawking it along the streets. It wasn’t until the third-generation successor, Li Qingzhi, that the business finally had its own proper shop.

　　   The third-generation successor of Li's Plain-Boiled Sheep's Head, Li Qingzhi, learned the craft from his elders as a child, traveling the streets and mastering the trade. In 1957, during the public-private partnership movement, the business was suspended for over twenty years. After the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee, in response to the Party’s call, the third-generation successor, Li Qingzhi, revived the long-interrupted plain-boiled sheep’s head dish. Finally, in 1983, the signboard of “Li's Plain-Boiled Sheep's Head” was hung at No. 43 Lanzhu Hutong. Thanks to meticulously adhering to the original preparation techniques, the flavor remained authentic, and the business flourished. In 1987, Li's Plain-Boiled Sheep's Head relocated to operate in Changdian. In 1991, it moved again to No. 15A, South Hufang Road. The following year, a branch was opened in the Snack Alley at Xisi. By then, under the painstaking management of the third-generation Li Qingzhi, the business had reached its peak, earning the deep favor of the general public and notable figures alike. The renowned calligrapher Liu Bingsen inscribed a plaque for Li's Plain-Boiled Sheep's Head. The late Ms. Hu Jieqing, widow of Lao She, even composed a poetic line after tasting it: “When spring breezes usher in a flourishing season for all trades, the unique aroma of plain-boiled sheep's head fills the air.”

　　   During the tenure of the third-generation successor Li Qingzhi and the next-generation successors Li Yufeng, Li Yuhong, and Li Yulin, the business participated in multiple culinary competitions and won numerous awards. In February 1988, it received an Excellence Award in the “First Beijing Culinary Skills Competition.” In 2000, it earned the Gold Award for Specialty Food in the “Beijing 2000 Olympic Bid Halal Culinary Skills Competition.” That same year, it was recognized as a “China Famous Snack.” Meanwhile, “Plain-Boiled Sheep's Head” and “White Soup Offal” were also listed among Beijing’s famous dishes and snacks.

　　   Today, Li Qingzhi’s three daughters have fully inherited their father’s legacy, truly becoming the next-generation successors of Li's Plain-Boiled Sheep's Head. Building upon their family’s traditions, they boldly explored new varieties, revived many traditional flavors of street food, and successfully registered their trademark. The current Li's Plain-Boiled Sheep's Head snack shop, operated by the three sisters, is located at No. 5 Lin, West Zhushikou Street. The dishes they offer are all highly representative traditional snacks of old Beijing. Owing to their authentic flavors and hygienic preparation, the business is thriving, with a constant stream of customers. Yet, the sisters are not content to rest on their laurels. When discussing future development, they are eager to build on their parents’ achievements and carry the business even further.

　　   Business Address

　　   No. 5 Lin, West Zhushikou Street

　　   Contact Person

　　   Wang Hongjie

　　   Phone: 13910844217