Top Ordos local food and restaurants, what and where to eat

Ordos cuisine is strongly influenced by Mongolian culture, featuring meats, dairy products, and vegetables. Popular dishes include Mongolian Hot Pot, made with tender lamb and vegetables, baked lamb, slow-roasted until juicy and flavorful and Yangbeizi reserved for important ceremonies, rituals, and banquets honoring distinguished guests.

Dairy products such as yogurt and cheese are also common, including a unique smoked cheese with a distinctive flavor. Besides traditional Mongolian dishes, you can also find Chinese-style food like steamed buns, dumplings, and stir-fries.

What Famous Local Food to Eat

Top 1: Yangbeizi / 羊背子

Yangbeizi, also known as Wucha, is a traditional Ordos delicacy reserved for important ceremonies, rituals, and banquets honoring distinguished guests.

The whole lamb is carefully divided into seven major sections and gently boiled in water to preserve its tenderness and natural flavor. The pieces are then skillfully arranged on a platter in the traditional “kneeling lamb” presentation, creating a visually striking display that symbolizes respect and hospitality. Beyond its rich aroma and juicy meat, Yangbeizi embodies the deep cultural heritage of Ordos and reflects the local tradition of honoring and welcoming esteemed guests.

Top 2: Hand-Pulled Lamb / 手抓肉

A traditional delicacy of Inner Mongolia and the Ordos region, Hand-Pulled Lamb ranks among the most iconic local dishes. Its unique cooking method ensures the meat remains tender and juicy, retaining the pure, natural flavor of the lamb. Locals eat it directly with their hands, allowing diners to fully savor its rich aroma and authentic taste.

Top 3: Roast Whole Lamb / 烤全羊

Yangbeizi (Wucha) is traditionally served at weddings and festive banquets, with careful attention to presentation. In contrast, Roast Whole Lamb is commonly featured at grand feasts for distinguished guests or large grassland celebrations. One of the most iconic dishes of the Ordos region, Roast Whole Lamb involves a whole lamb seasoned with special marinades and spices, then slowly roasted to perfection. The result is tender, juicy meat with a crisp skin, rich in the distinctive flavors of the grasslands.

Top 4: Mongolian Hot Pot (Shuan Yangrou) / 涮羊肉

Mongolian Hot Pot, or Shuan Yangrou, is a classic dish featuring thinly sliced tender lamb and a variety of fresh vegetables cooked briefly in a simmering pot. The lamb remains succulent and smooth in texture, while dipping sauces and seasonings enhance the rich flavors. Perfect for warming up in winter or enjoying with family and friends, Ordos-style Mongolian Hot Pot is a beloved local favorite.

Top 5: Suanhuicai (Sour Stew) / 酸菜烩

Suanhuicai is a traditional home-style dish from the Ordos region, known for its distinctive local flavor. The tangy pickled vegetables provide a refreshing, appetizing taste, while the rich broth combines fresh vegetables and meat for a satisfying, hearty dish. Particularly popular in winter, Suanhuicai is cherished by locals as a warming and comforting meal.

Top 6: Air-Dried Beef / 风干牛肉

Prepared using a special curing process, Air-Dried Beef is flavorful, chewy, and richly savory, making it an ideal companion for travelers. Its exterior ranges from dark brown to deep mahogany, with a firm yet elastic texture that retains the natural taste of the meat.

Top 7: Mongolian Milk Tea / 奶茶

In Ordos, milk tea is more than a traditional beverage. It is a symbol of culture and warmth. Made from high-quality brick tea and fresh milk, the tea is carefully boiled, filtered, and flavored to achieve its signature golden color and rich, creamy aroma. Smooth and comforting, it quenches thirst and warms the body, making it equally enjoyable in winter or summer while offering a moment of relaxation and pleasure.

Top 8: Creamy Baked Cake / 奶油烤饼

Creamy Baked Cake is a traditional pastry from the Ordos region, made with flour, butter, and sugar. It has a crisp exterior and a soft, tender interior, with a sweet and rich flavor. Often enjoyed as an afternoon tea snack, it pairs wonderfully with tea or can be savored on its own, offering a delightful taste experience.

Where to Try Typical Food

KANGHERENJIA / 康和人家乡土菜

The restaurant is beloved by diners for its unique Mongolian dishes, authentic local specialties, and flavorful Sichuan and Hunan-inspired creations. The restaurant is bright and comfortable, featuring an elegant environment with spacious halls, refined private booths, and a distinctive ordering counter that makes selecting your favorite dishes easy and convenient.

• Recommended: spring-water stewed Albas goat, special lamb chops, fish-flavored shredded pork, and copper-pot sour vegetable stew.
• Operating Hours: 11:00-21:30
• Address: Shop No. 23, ground floor, food court, Kangbashi New Area

Jiupin · Hefuji (Kangbashi Branch) / 玖品·贺福记(康巴什店)‌

This long-established restaurant specializes in traditional Mongolian homestyle cuisine. It is clean, well-maintained, and highly acclaimed, with numerous awards to its name. The service is attentive, and the menu offers a wide variety of dishes.

• Recommended: braised noodles with premium ribs, yellow rice cake, yogurt, and prairie-style beef ribs and marrow bones.
• Operating Hours: 09:00–22:00
• Address: Opposite the Cultural Center, at the intersection of Zhengyang Street and Tuanjie Road

Mengda Yang Mongolian Cuisine / 蒙达羊蒙餐

If you want to experience dining in a traditional Mongolian yurt can choose Mengda Yang Mongolian Cuisine which is a uniquely themed yurt-style restaurant. The roasted lamb ribs are crispy on the outside and tender inside, and the copper-pot milk tea is wonderfully rich and comforting. In the evening, the restaurant hosts live song-and-dance performances that you can enjoy alongside your meal. As the music of the Morin Khuur drifts through the yurt, you’ll feel immersed in the atmosphere of the grasslands.

Signature dishes include: Roasted whole lamb, grilled lamb chops,

• Recommended: Roasted whole lamb, grilled lamb chops.
• Operating Hours: 09:00–22:00
• Address: Yingbin Road City Center Hotel, Dongcheng District

Mongolian Yangmen Hotpot / 蒙古羊门涮肉

Mongolian Yangmen Hotpot offers a quiet and comfortable atmosphere with attentive service. The hotpot is served in a beautifully crafted vintage copper pot decorated with blue carvings. The menu is extensive, featuring fresh lamb and beef from Inner Mongolia, sliced paper-thin. The meat is tender, flavorful, and incredibly aromatic, making this a highly recommended restaurant among locals.

Signature dishes include: Roasted whole lamb, grilled lamb chops,

• Recommended: Fresh lamb, beef, lamb ribs, yogurt.
• Operating Hours: 09:00–22:00
• Address: Opposite the west gate of Haiye Jiayuan, Xiyuan Road, Dalate Banner

Customize Your Unique Ordos Tour

If you are interested in the Ordos itineraries mentioned above, please contact us, and we will be happy to customize it and provide a quote tailored to your preferences.

Alternatively, if you would like to customize your Ordos Tour, please visit our Inner Mongolia Tour Customized Center. We assure you that you will receive a reply within 24 working hours.

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