The origin of hotpot mutton

It is said that hotpot mutton was originally a palace delicacy, not something ordinary people could eat. It was not until the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty that the shopkeeper of the "Donglaishun" mutton restaurant in Beijing bribed an eunuch and stole the seasoning formula for mutton-shabu-shabu, and then the mutton-shabu-shabu gradually entered the family dining tables of ordinary people.

Shabu-boiled mutton originated in the Yuan Dynasty. 700 years ago, Kublai Khan, the founder of the Yuan Dynasty, led his army on an expedition south. After many battles, people were trapped, horses were exhausted, and they were hungry. So he ordered his men to set fire to kill the sheep. While the cook was slaughtering the sheep and cutting the meat, Tan Ma suddenly galloped into the tent and reported that a large enemy army was chasing them, only 10 miles away. But the hungry Kublai Khan was waiting for the mutton. While ordering the troops to undress, he shouted loudly: "Mutton, bring the mutton!" Of course it was too late to eat the stewed mutton, and how could raw mutton be served to the commander? Eat, what should I do? At this time, I saw the coach striding towards the stove. The cook knew that he had a bad temper, so he quickly cut more than ten thin slices of mutton, put it in the pot of boiling water and stirred it for a few times. When the meat buns changed, he immediately took them out. Put it into a bowl, sprinkle with fine salt, chopped green onion, ginger and other condiments, and hold it with both hands to the coach who just came to the stove. Kublai Khan grabbed the meat slices and put them into his mouth. After eating several bowls in succession, he waved and threw the bowls, mounted his horse and led his army to meet the enemy. As a result, he won a victory and captured the enemy general alive.

While celebrating, Kublai Khan specially ordered the kind of mutton slices he had eaten before the war. This time, the chef selected the "big three fork" and "upper brain tender meat" of high-quality sheep legs, cut them into evenly thin slices, and paired them with sesame sauce, fermented bean curd, chili, chive flowers and other seasonings. After rinsing, they are tender and delicious. The generals were full of praises after eating, and Kublai Khan was even more happy. The cook hurriedly stepped forward and said: "This dish doesn't have a name yet, please give me a name by the handsome man." Kublai Khan was rinsing the mutton slices and replied with a smile: "I think it will be called mutton shabu-shabu."