Luwei (Chinese Spiced Master Stock Braise)
The secret "Lao Lu" is alive! China's 4,000-Year-Old Magical Spice Stew
Description
A general term for dishes braised in 'Lao Lu' (master stock)—a secret, continuously replenished broth packed with dozens of spices like star anise, cinnamon, and Sichuan peppercorns.
Restaurants serving Luwei (Chinese Spiced Master Stock Braise)
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On this site you can check dictionary details and, later, places to buy or eat related items.
The Recipe section below is a general reference, not a recipe from the listed shops.
Recipe
Ingredients
- Duck/Pork/Beef/Veg(ingredients of choice)
- Star anise/Cinnamon/Cloves/Sichuan peppercorn etc.
- Rock sugar
- Soy/Dark soy sauce
- Pork/Chicken bone broth
Instructions
- [Authentic Lao Lu Recipe]
- Pack medicinal spices (star anise, cinnamon, cloves, Sichuan peppercorn, black cardamom, dried tangerine peel, licorice, fennel) in a pouch.
- Boil pork/chicken bones for hours to make a rich base broth (Gao Tang).
- Caramelize rock sugar in oil (Tang Se), add to broth with soy, dark soy (Lao Chou), scallion, ginger.
- Add spice pouch, simmer for hours to finish the 'Lao Lu'.
- Braise blanched duck, pork, eggs, or tofu in this stock. Turn off heat and let steep overnight to penetrate to the core. (*Strain and freeze the liquid, replenishing it for future use to build the depth of a 'Century-old Master Stock').
Learn more Spice, substitutes, tips
Key spices
Complex Five-Spice aroma centered on Star Anise
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
Store-bought Luwei seasoning packets
Pairing
Baijiu / Tsingtao Beer
Trivia
It's said 'every home and shop has its unique Lao Lu'. In historic shops, the stock replenished for decades is a treasure guarded in a safe.
Eating tips & etiquette
Point at various cuts in the display case, buy by weight, and have the butcher chop them into bite-sized pieces to take home.
Allergen
Wheat, Soybeans, Pork, Chicken (Depends on sauce)