Qinghai Food and restaurants, what and where to eat

Top dishes in Qinghai

Qinghai is known for its delicious and hearty local cuisine, which is heavily influenced by the Tibetan and Hui Muslim cultures. Here are some popular dishes that you should try when visiting Qinghai.

Hand-pulled noodles: This dish is a staple of Qinghai cuisine and can be found in most local restaurants. The noodles are made by stretching and pulling the dough by hand, resulting in a chewy texture. They are usually served in a spicy broth with meat and vegetables.

Momos: These are Tibetan-style dumplings that are popular in Qinghai. They are made with a variety of fillings, such as meat, vegetables, or cheese, and are usually served steamed or fried.

Lanzhou beef noodle soup: This dish is a specialty of Lanzhou, a city in Qinghai. The noodles are made by hand and are served in a flavorful broth with tender slices of beef.

Fried mutton: This is a popular dish in Qinghai, made with mutton, peppers, and onions stir-fried with rice. It's a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a cold winter day.

Roast leg of lamb: This dish is a specialty of the Hui Muslim community in Qinghai and is a must-try for meat lovers. The lamb is marinated with a variety of spices and roasted to perfection.

Roast whole sheep: This is a popular dish during festivals and special occasions. The whole sheep is marinated and roasted, and it is usually shared among a group of people.

Tibetan Butter Tea: This is a traditional Tibetan drink that is made by churning tea leaves, butter, and salt together. It's usually served warm and is a perfect way to warm up on a cold winter day.

Zhaxi: This is a traditional Tibetan dish that consists of various meats (such as lamb or beef) mixed with vegetables and chili peppers, and is often served with tsampa (roasted barley flour) or steamed buns.

Gongbao chicken: This is a spicy Sichuan dish that is popular in Qinghai, which consists of diced chicken stir-fried with peanuts, vegetables, and chili peppers.

Qingke wine: This is a traditional fermented barley wine that is unique to Qinghai, and is often consumed as a local delicacy or as a ritual offering to Tibetan deities.

Qan-mao-er-duo-si: This is a traditional Muslim dish that consists of hand-pulled noodles, lamb, and a variety of spices.

Qinghai Lake fish: This is a popular dish that features fish caught from Qinghai Lake, which is known for its crystal clear waters and abundant fish population.

Xining-style braised meat : This is a popular dish from Xining, the capital city of Qinghai, which features braised pork belly or beef cooked with a variety of seasonings and spices.

With so many delicious and unique dishes to try, a food tour in Qinghai is a great way to explore the local cuisine and learn more about the culture.

Top local restaurants in Qinghai

Qinghai is known for its diverse and flavorful cuisine, which combines elements of Tibetan, Han Chinese, and Muslim culinary traditions. Here are some of the top local restaurants in Qinghai:

Guoluo Hand-pulled Noodles (果洛拉面): Located in Xining, Guoluo Hand-pulled Noodles is a popular restaurant that serves a variety of hand-pulled noodles in rich, flavorful broths. The restaurant is especially known for its beef noodle soup.

Ma Bufang Beef Restaurant (马步芳牛肉馆): Named after a famous Muslim general from Qinghai, Ma Bufang Beef Restaurant is known for its delicious halal beef dishes, including stir-fried beef, beef hot pot, and beef noodle soup.

Tibetan Family Kitchen (藏家厨房): Located in Xining, Tibetan Family Kitchen is a cozy restaurant that serves authentic Tibetan cuisine. The restaurant is especially known for its momos (Tibetan dumplings) and yak meat dishes.

Chengdu Xiaochi (成都小吃): A popular chain restaurant in Qinghai, Chengdu Xiaochi serves a variety of spicy Sichuan-style dishes, including hot pot, mapo tofu, and dan dan noodles.

Lao Zheng Hot Pot (老郑火锅): Located in Xining, Lao Zheng Hot Pot is a popular restaurant that serves a variety of hot pot dishes, including spicy Sichuan-style hot pot and mild herbal hot pot.

Shengli Muslim Restaurant (胜利清真饭店): Located in the city of Haidong, Shengli Muslim Restaurant is known for its delicious halal dishes, including grilled lamb skewers, beef noodles, and stuffed buns.

Tianxiangyuan (天香园): Located in the city of Xining, Tianxiangyuan is a popular restaurant that serves a variety of traditional Qinghai dishes, including hand-pulled noodles, lamb skewers, and braised yak meat.

Overall, Qinghai offers a rich culinary scene with a variety of delicious local restaurants to choose from.