Chinese Donkey Meat Sandwich

🥙 Chinese Donkey Meat Sandwich 

 (Lǘ Ròu Huǒ Shāo) is a traditional street food from Baoding, Hebei Province, China. It features slow-braised donkey meat stuffed into a crispy baked flatbread. The meat is tender and aromatic, while the bread is flaky and slightly chewy — together, they make an unforgettable snack.

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🛒 Ingredients

For the Braised Donkey Meat

• Donkey meat (lean cuts such as leg or shoulder): 500 g

• Ginger: 4 slices

• Green onion: 2 stalks

• Garlic: 4 cloves, crushed

• Star anise: 2

• Cinnamon stick: 1 small piece

• Bay leaves: 2

• Sichuan peppercorns: 1 tsp

• Light soy sauce: 3 tbsp

• Dark soy sauce: 1 tbsp

• Shaoxing wine (Chinese cooking wine): 2 tbsp

• Rock sugar (or regular sugar): 1 tbsp

• Water or broth: enough to cover

• Salt: to taste

For the Fire-Baked Bread (Huǒ Shāo)

• All-purpose flour: 300 g

• Warm water: 150 ml (approx.)

• Yeast: 1 tsp

• Sugar: 1 tsp

• Salt: ½ tsp

• Oil: 1 tbsp

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1. Braise the Donkey Meat

1. Rinse the donkey meat, then blanch in boiling water for 2–3 minutes to remove impurities. Drain and set aside.

2. In a pot, heat a little oil. Add ginger, garlic, green onion, star anise, cinnamon, bay leaves, and Sichuan peppercorns. Stir until fragrant.

3. Add the donkey meat and sear lightly.

4. Pour in light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and sugar. Stir to coat.

5. Add enough water or broth to cover the meat. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat.

6. Simmer for 1.5–2 hours until the meat is tender and infused with flavor.

7. Remove the meat, let it cool slightly, then shred or thinly slice it. Keep the braising liquid warm.

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Step 2. Make the Fire-Baked Bread

1. In a bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.

2. Add flour and salt. Knead into a smooth dough, about 8–10 minutes.

3. Cover and let it rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.

4. Punch down the dough and divide into 6 equal portions.

5. Roll each portion into a round, then flatten into a disc (about 1 cm thick).

6. Heat a flat pan or bake in an oven at 200°C (400°F) until golden brown and crispy on both sides (about 3–5 minutes per side in a pan, or 12–15 minutes in an oven).

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Step 3. Assemble the Sandwich

1. Slice open each fire-baked bread pocket.

2. Stuff generously with sliced or shredded braised donkey meat.

3. Spoon a little warm braising liquid inside to keep it juicy.

4. Optional: add fresh cilantro, chili paste, or pickled vegetables for extra flavor.

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🌟 Tips

• If donkey meat is unavailable, beef or lamb can be used as substitutes, though the flavor will differ.

• The key to authenticity is slow braising with Chinese spices and ensuring the bread is crispy outside but fluffy inside.

• Serve hot for the best taste — the crispy bread and tender meat balance beautifully.