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Snout & Seek

Sun-Dried Beef in Yunnan

Photo: Sun-Dried Beef in Yunnan
Beef shanks drying on racks in the sun.

Locals call it ganba (gānbā, 干巴), a Yunnan specialty made by marinating beef with spices, then sun-drying it outdoors before frying or grilling it for a chewy, jerky-like bite. With Yunnan’s mild temperatures and abundant sunshine, drying food is part of everyday life here, and you will spot racks of meats, chilies, and other ingredients catching the sun all over the province.

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