Though the Sunday roast might be a rare occasion in Beijing, no one should be denied the pleasure of a pan-fried lamb chop. Rocking up to Jenny Lou’s has its comforts, but what you know is a bad habit for your wallet becomes worse when you learn the local market around the corner will sell you a domestic loin chop for RMB 35 per jin instead of RMB 79. So, how do you get the meat you want on the cheap?

A version of this article appeared in the Beijinger March 2014 issue.

Images: Micky Pan