The most sought-after quality in chan-jou (what mainlanders call lion's-head meatballs) is that they be tender. In most restaurants they're too tough, simply not worthy of the name.
我們鎮江的斬肉（外鄉人所稱的獅子頭）最講究嫩，一般餐館裡的都太老，算不得是斬肉。