Xinjiang Cuisine
Taste Silk Road cuisine and embark on a culinary journey through Xinjiang.
Naan
Naan is made from wheat flour, salt water, and yeast kneaded into dough, rolled into a round flatbread that is thin in the center and thicker at the edges. It's topped with sesame seeds or chopped onions and baked at high temperature on the inner walls of a tandoor oven. The result is a crispy exterior with a soft interior and a distinct wheat aroma. Naan can be torn into pieces and served with milk tea or brick tea, or often used to wrap grilled meat or dipped into meat broth.
Xinjiang Big Plate Chicken
Dapanji: A multi-ingredient stir-fry featuring chopped free-range chicken, potatoes, green and red bell peppers, dried chilies, and Sichuan peppercorns. Simmered with soy sauce and beer until the sauce thickens, hand-pulled wide noodles are added just before serving. The chicken is flavorful, the potatoes tender, and the noodles chewy after absorbing the rich sauce. Typically served for 3–4 people, best enjoyed with Wusu beer or yogurt to balance the spice.
Xinjiang Old Man Melon
Lao Hangua is a variety of Xinjiang muskmelon with yellow-green skin and soft, orange flesh that is low in fiber. Due to large day-night temperature differences and ample sunlight, it accumulates high sugar levels, resulting in a tender texture and rich aroma. It ripens from 7 to 9. Enjoy it fresh, slice it into strips to dry, or cook it into melon jam.
Hand-Picked Lamb
Hand-grabbed mutton is made with bone-in meat. The meat is simmered in cold water, skimmed of scum, and boiled with ginger slices, Sichuan peppercorns, and a pinch of salt. Onions are added just before serving. The meat is pale, tender, and has a mild gamey flavor. Serve by tearing the meat by hand and dipping it in salt or garlic paste, accompanied by onion slices and hot tea. This dish is commonly served to guests by the Kazakh people.
Thin-skinned steamed buns
Thin-skinned buns made with dough kneaded in warm water, filled with diced lamb and minced onions, seasoned with salt, cumin, and a touch of lamb fat, then steamed until cooked. The skin is thin and translucent; biting into it releases savory juices where the fresh, rich flavor of lamb blends perfectly with the sweetness of onions. A popular choice for breakfast or late-night snacks, often enjoyed with milk tea or brick tea.
Lamb skewers
Select leg or rib meat for lamb skewers. Cut into small cubes with alternating fat and lean, thread onto skewers, then season with salt, cumin powder, and chili flakes. Grill over charcoal until the exterior is slightly charred. The outside should be crispy and aromatic while the inside stays juicy, with a bold cumin flavor. A staple at street bazaars, served with naan bread and beer, or wrapped inside naan for a handheld treat.