Shaguo Ju (Shaguo ju)

Shaguo Ju (Shaguo ju) Review

Established in 1741, Shaguo Ju serves a simple Manchu favorite—bairou, or white-meat pork, which first became popular 300 years ago. The first menu pages list all the dishes cooked in the shaguo (the Chinese term for a casserole pot). The classic shaguo bairou consists of strips of pork neatly lined up, concealing bok choy and glass noodles below. Shaguo Ju emerged as a result of ceremonies held by imperial officials and wealthy Manchus in the Qing Dynasty, which included sacrificial offerings of whole pigs. The meat offerings were later given away to the nightwatch guards, who shared the "gifts" with friends and relatives. Such gatherings gradually turned into a small business, and white meat became very popular.