This pork dish, the most famous of traditional Shanxi cuisine, originated among aristocrats in the city of Linfen, in southern Shanxi province, during the Southern and Northern dynasties (AD 420-589), then spread to the capital Taiyuan, later becoming a typical restaurant dish during the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

These days, although it can be found in restaurants in other parts of China, such as Jiangsu and Zhejiang province and the city of Shanghai, the Shanxi-flavored fried boiled pork is a rich dish with local feature thanks to its ingredients and cooking method.