Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Zhongwei, China

1. Gansu Roast Lamb (Zhongwei Style)

Tender lamb roasted to perfection, served with cumin and chili powder, a Zhongwei specialty.

Authentic Flavor: Experience the genuine taste of local spices and cooking techniques
Social Experience: Enjoy this dish in a bustling, lively local eatery
Unique Taste Profile: Discover the distinctive blend of spices that sets Zhongwei's roast lamb apart

Fresh wild mushrooms stir-fried with local vegetables and soy sauce, harvested from Tianshui Lake's forests.

Natural Ingredients: Taste the freshest ingredients gathered directly from the lake's forests
Cultural Significance: Learn about the importance of foraging in local Zhongwei culture
Flavorful Variations: Experience different flavor profiles based on seasonal mushroom availability

Thin hand-pulled noodles served in a rich lamb broth, a popular street food in Zhongwei.

Street Food Experience: Savor the local flavor while immersing yourself in the vibrant street culture
Hand-made Noodles: Watch as skilled noodle-makers create your meal from scratch
Warm and Comforting: Enjoy a hearty, warming bowl of soup on a chilly day in Zhongwei

Golden, crispy potatoes coated with a fragrant cumin and garlic seasoning.

Taste of the Silk Road: Experience flavors that have traveled along the ancient Silk Road
Roadside Vendor: Purchase this snack from a roadside stand on your journey through Xiahe County
Perfectly Crispy: Indulge in the satisfying crunch of perfectly fried potatoes

Slow-braised pork belly served with steamed buns, a popular dish found in local markets.

Market Atmosphere: Immerse yourself in the bustling market environment
Traditional Technique: Witness the traditional technique of slow-braising pork belly
Meltingly Tender: Savor the succulent, tender texture of the braised pork belly

Delicate dumplings filled with spiced meat, served with a side of chili oil.

Street Food Experience: Taste the local flavor while immersing yourself in the vibrant street culture
Spicy Kick: Enjoy the zesty spiciness of these popular dumplings
Handcrafted Quality: Appreciate the skill and care that goes into making each dumpling by hand

Tender mutton slow-cooked in a rich stew of local spices and herbs.

Culinary Skill: Marvel at the culinary expertise required to create this dish
Authentic Flavor: Experience the genuine taste of local spices and cooking techniques
Warm and Comforting: Enjoy a hearty, warming meal on a cool day in Zhongwei

Stir-fried noodles with crispy eggplant, served with a savory soy sauce.

Taste of the Region: Experience the unique flavors that define Gansu Province's cuisine
Local Ingredients: Sample fresh, locally-sourced ingredients in every dish
Perfectly Crispy Texture: Enjoy the satisfying crunch of crisp eggplant and noodles

A communal dining experience where you cook thin slices of lamb in a simmering pot of broth.

Social Experience: Enjoy this dish with friends or family, fostering connections and conversation
Customizable Flavors: Experiment with different flavor combinations by adding various ingredients to your pot
Tender and Juicy: Savor the tender, juicy lamb cooked to perfection in your hot pot

Sticky rice dumplings filled with sweet or savory fillings, traditionally eaten during festivals.

Cultural Experience: Join in the local celebration and learn about traditional customs
Flavor Variations: Experience the different flavors offered, such as sweet red bean or savory pork fillings
Unique Texture: Appreciate the sticky, chewy texture of these traditional dumplings

Thin, unleavened flatbread cooked in a traditional clay oven.

Traditional Technique: Witness the traditional technique of baking this flatbread
Authentic Taste: Experience the genuine taste of local flatbread, a staple in Gansu Province's cuisine
Versatile Accompaniment: Use this flatbread to scoop up various dishes, such as soups or stir-fries

Slow-braised pork served in a garlicky sauce, a popular dish found in local restaurants.

Culinary Skill: Marvel at the culinary expertise required to create this dish
Flavorful Aroma: Enjoy the fragrant, garlicky aroma of this popular dish
Tender and Juicy: Savor the tender, juicy pork cooked to perfection in a garlicky sauce

Thin, spicy noodles served with cumin, chili oil, and various toppings.

Taste of the Region: Experience the unique flavors that define Gansu Province's cuisine
Spicy Kick: Enjoy the zesty spiciness of these noodles
Fresh Ingredients: Sample fresh, locally-sourced ingredients in every dish

Tender lamb meat skewered and grilled over an open flame, a popular street food.

Street Food Experience: Taste the local flavor while immersing yourself in the vibrant street culture
Authentic Taste: Experience the genuine taste of local lamb, a staple in Gansu Province's cuisine
Versatile Snack: Enjoy this as a quick, convenient snack on the go

Soft, steamed buns filled with creamy sesame paste, a popular snack found in local bakeries.

Traditional Technique: Witness the traditional technique of making these steamed buns
Taste of Sesame: Enjoy the nutty, fragrant flavor of sesame paste
Quick and Delicious: Indulge in this tasty snack for a quick energy boost during your travels