Xiaoquan sauce-coated beef 孝泉裹汁牛肉
Xiaoquan sauce-coated beef is featured among the local specialties of Sichuan.
Fried beef pieces are coated with chili, peppercorn seasoning and sesame seeds. This Xiaoquan snack is also called guozhi beef, but the name does not imply fruit juice.
How it is made
Beef pieces are fried and coated with a richly seasoned mixture that can include chili, Sichuan pepper and sesame. The final coating is reduced enough to cling to the meat.
Flavour & texture
Expect a firm, savory bite with toasted sesame and a sweet-spicy or numbing finish depending on the recipe.
Local roots & traditions
Guozhi beef is associated with Xiaoquan in the Deyang area; guozhi here describes coating the meat in sauce, not fruit juice.
How to order Xiaoquan sauce-coated beef
Try a small portion and ask how sweet or spicy that batch is.
More dishes to compare
Explore related local specialties and compare their names, preparation notes and ordering guidance.
Suining sweet-potato balls 遂州红苕丸子 →
Cooked sweet potato is mashed, combined with a binding flour or starch and formed into balls before frying. The exterior browns while the center remains soft. The balls have a crisp outer bite and a tender, gently sweet middle. They can accompany a savory meal without necessarily being heavily sugared like a dessert.
Dengying thin beef slices 灯影牛肉 →
Beef is sliced extremely thin, seasoned and dried or baked before being finished with oil and spices. Traditional thin sheets are distinct from thicker, chewy products sold under related names. The slices can be translucent and delicately crisp, with concentrated beef flavor, chili and aromatic seasoning.
Questions before you order
What name should I show when ordering?
Show 孝泉裹汁牛肉 for Xiaoquan sauce-coated beef. Try a small portion and ask how sweet or spicy that batch is.
Sources & reading
Recipes and servings vary between kitchens.