Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Ürümqi, Xinjiang, China
1. Lamb Soup with Uyghur Noodles (ĸ：ürët Mèsäw), Xiyu Bazaar
A hearty soup dish made with tender lamb and hand-pulled noodles, served in a flavorful broth. Savor the unique Uyghur twist on a traditional Chinese meal.
- Hand-Pulled Noodles: The noodles are pulled, stretched and cut by hand, giving each piece a unique texture.
- Uyghur Twist: This dish showcases the culinary heritage of the Uyghur people, a distinct ethnic group in Xinjiang.
- Flavorful Broth: The broth is seasoned with fragrant spices and herbs, creating an unforgettable taste experience.
2. Burghul Pilaf (Nang) at Big Wind Peddle Street
Savor the aromatic Burghul Pilaf made with cracked wheat, raisins, and flavored with lamb and fragrant spices. Enjoy this traditional Uyghur dish in the bustling atmosphere of Big Wind Peddle Street.
- Cracked Wheat: The use of cracked wheat adds a unique texture and nutty flavor to the pilaf.
- Fragrant Spices: The blend of spices used in this dish is a closely guarded secret, giving it its distinctive taste.
- Bustling Atmosphere: Big Wind Peddle Street offers a vibrant and lively environment to enjoy your meal.
3. Roujiamo (Ruòjiāmó) at Xianjiang Snack Street
Experience the juicy and flavorful Roujiamo, a type of Uyghur burger stuffed with tender braised lamb. Try this street food classic in the bustling Xianjiang Snack Street.
- Tender Braised Lamb: The lamb is slowly braised until it becomes meltingly tender.
- Crunchy Bun: The crispy, yet soft bun provides the perfect texture contrast to the juicy filling.
- Bustling Street Food: Xianjiang Snack Street is a must-visit for food lovers seeking authentic street food experiences.
4. Lamb Kebabs (Shish Kebab) at the Grand Bazaar
Savor the tender and flavorful lamb kebabs cooked over an open flame. Don't miss this popular street food at the bustling Grand Bazaar.
- Tender Lamb: The lamb is marinated for hours, ensuring it is tender and juicy.
- Open Flame Cooking: Cooked over an open flame, the kebabs develop a smoky flavor that enhances their taste.
- Bustling Market Atmosphere: The Grand Bazaar offers a vibrant and lively market atmosphere to enjoy your meal.
5. Uyghur Plov (Pilaf) at Tianying Xinjiang Restaurant
Taste the aromatic and flavorful Uyghur Plov made with rice, lamb, carrots, and onions. Enjoy this traditional dish in a cozy restaurant setting.
- Fragrant Rice: The rice is cooked with fragrant spices, giving it an unforgettable aroma.
- Tender Lamb: The lamb is slow-cooked until it becomes meltingly tender.
- Cozy Restaurant Setting: Tianying Xinjiang Restaurant offers a warm and welcoming environment to enjoy your meal.
6. Baked Bread (Nan) with Dried Fruit at Rahat Bakery
Try the delicious baked bread studded with dried fruits such as raisins and apricots. This popular treat is a must-try at Rahat Bakery.
- Delicious Dried Fruits: The sweetness of the dried fruits complements the slightly savory taste of the bread.
- Freshly Baked Daily: The bread is baked fresh daily, ensuring a delicious and crispy texture.
- Traditional Xinjiang Bakery: Rahat Bakery is a well-known traditional Xinjiang bakery with a rich history.
7. Uyghur Dumplings (Mantou) at A'siwu Dumpling Restaurant
Enjoy the soft and tender Uyghur dumplings filled with juicy meat. Try this traditional dish in a cozy restaurant setting.
- Soft and Tender Dumplings: The dumplings are soft and tender, making them a delight to eat.
- Juicy Meat Filling: The meat filling is juicy and flavorful, enhancing the taste of each dumpling.
- Cozy Restaurant Setting: A'siwu Dumpling Restaurant offers a warm and welcoming environment to enjoy your meal.
8. Beef Skewer (Shashlik) at Rahat Square
Savor the tender and flavorful beef skewers cooked over an open flame. Don't miss this popular street food at Rahat Square.
- Tender Beef: The beef is marinated for hours, ensuring it is tender and juicy.
- Open Flame Cooking: Cooked over an open flame, the skewers develop a smoky flavor that enhances their taste.
- Bustling Square Atmosphere: Rahat Square offers a vibrant and lively atmosphere to enjoy your meal.
9. Xinjiang Pizza (Nang Bing) at Lüshi Pizzeria
Taste the unique Xinjiang-style pizza with its thin, crispy crust and generous toppings. Try this regional twist on a classic dish at Lüshi Pizzeria.
- Thin, Crispy Crust: The thin, crispy crust provides the perfect texture contrast to the flavorful toppings.
- Generous Toppings: The pizzas are generously topped with a variety of ingredients such as lamb, vegetables, and cheese.
- Cozy Pizzeria Setting: Lüshi Pizzeria offers a comfortable and relaxing environment to enjoy your meal.
10. PoluoMian (Hand-pulled Noodles) at Sinka Noodle House
Savor the hand-pulled noodles served in a flavorful broth with your choice of meat or vegetables. Enjoy this classic Xinjiang dish in a cozy restaurant setting.
- Hand-pulled Noodles: The noodles are pulled, stretched and cut by hand, giving each piece a unique texture.
- Flavorful Broth: The broth is seasoned with fragrant spices and herbs, creating an unforgettable taste experience.
- Cozy Restaurant Setting: Sinka Noodle House offers a warm and welcoming environment to enjoy your meal.
11. Uyghur Tea (Pu'er tea) at local tea houses
Savor the strong and earthy flavors of Uyghur tea made from Pu'er tea leaves. Relax and unwind in one of the many local tea houses found throughout Ürümqi.
- Strong Flavors: The strong, earthy flavors make this tea a unique experience.
- Local Tea Houses: Many local tea houses offer a relaxing and authentic environment to enjoy your tea.
- Variety of Teas: There is a wide variety of Pu'er teas to choose from, each with its own unique flavor profile.
12. Kabula Nang (Fried Rice) at local Uyghur restaurants
Taste the fried rice dish with its unique mix of ingredients such as raisins and pine nuts. This traditional Uyghur dish is a must-try in Ürümqi's local restaurants.
- Unique Mix of Ingredients: The combination of raisins and pine nuts adds a sweet and nutty flavor to the rice.
- Local Restaurants: Many local restaurants offer an authentic Uyghur dining experience.
- Variety of Options: There are many variations of Kabula Nang, each with its own unique twist.
13. Rice Pudding (Naghlama) at Rahat Bakery
Try the sweet and creamy rice pudding made with milk, sugar, and flavored with rose water. This popular treat is a must-try at Rahat Bakery.
- Sweet and Creamy: The combination of milk and sugar creates a sweet, creamy texture.
- Flavored with Rose Water: The addition of rose water gives the pudding a unique and refreshing taste.
- Traditional Xinjiang Bakery: Rahat Bakery is a well-known traditional Xinjiang bakery with a rich history.
14. Lamb Kebabs (Shashlik) at Rahat Square Night Market
Enjoy the tender and flavorful lamb kebabs cooked over an open flame. Visit this bustling night market to try this popular street food.
- Tender Lamb: The lamb is marinated for hours, ensuring it is tender and juicy.
- Open Flame Cooking: Cooked over an open flame, the kebabs develop a smoky flavor that enhances their taste.
- Bustling Night Market Atmosphere: The night market offers a vibrant and lively atmosphere to enjoy your meal.