The name of braised lion's head is very domineering, but in reality it is a big meatball. This is because the "lion's head" in Braised Iron Lion's Head is called "zuān" meat in Yangzhou dialect, which is a big meatball in Mandarin. The meat contains crab meat, crab roe, pork, seasonings, and a green cabbage underneath, which is then simmered in a cage.
History records that with the economic prosperity of the Tang Dynasty, officials and dignitaries also began to pay attention to their diet. When Duke Wei Jiaozhi (zhì) of the State of Shizi (huán) held a banquet for his guests, Wei Juyuan, a famous chef in his residence, made these four famous dishes from Yangzhou.
When the dish "Sunflower Chopped Pork" was served, the heart of the sunflower, which was made of a huge ball of meat, was so beautiful that it looked like the head of a lion.
Wei Jiaozhi happily raised his glass and drank it all, saying, "In honor of today's event, 'Sunflower Chopped Meat' might as well be renamed 'Lion's Head'." A call for a hundred promises, from Yangzhou on the addition of "lion's head" this famous dish.
Interestingly enough, the dish of braised iron lion's head is known to many people in the north as the Four Happiness Dumplings. Slightly different is the four joy balls by four color, aroma and taste of meatballs, symbolizing the four joys of life, fortune, longevity and happiness.