Spiced Lamb Offal (Yang Zage)

Yang Zage is a distinctive Taiyuan traditional snack: lamb head, lungs, stomach and heart are cleaned and simmered in a spiced broth of Sichuan pepper and star anise, then seasoned with scallion, coriander and aged vinegar, producing a bright red broth and tender offal.

Yang Zage has deep roots in Shanxi, said to relate to the ancient Jin state's sheep-herding culture; widely sold on Taiyuan streets for generations, it embodies the folk wisdom of using the whole animal and is the preferred winter warming snack.

Served in a large bowl while hot, scattered with scallion and coriander and splashed with aged vinegar; the rich broth and tender offal pair well with sesame flatbread for a warming breakfast.

Defined by the combination of lamb lungs, stomach and other offal in a richly spiced broth, brightened with a splash of Shanxi aged vinegar.