Xining local food and restaurants, what and where to eat

Many people come to Qinghai for the stunning Qinghai Lake, but they often overlook the region’s incredible cuisine. Located in the Northwest, Qinghai Xining boasts a distinctive food culture that sets it apart from the spicy flavors of Sichuan and the sweet richness of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, with the unrefined, authentic essence of the Northwest Plateau, featuring succulent beef and lamb, hearty Northwestern flour food, the most traditional Qinghai hot pot, and rich, handcrafted yogurt in its purest form. Following are the best food and restaurant in Xining.

What to eat

Top 1: Hand-grasped Mutton/手抓羊肉

Hand-grasped Mutton

Hand-grasped mutton, a unique delicacy of northwest China, is an indispensable part of Qinghai People's daily life.

The special feature of Hand-grasped mutton lies in its tender meat and rich flavor. The high-quality lamb, with its firm texture, is carefully selected and processed, then stewed with a secret blend of spices until it becomes tender and flavorful, with the fat being rich but not greasy, and the lean parts tender without being tough. When eating, people typically grab chunks of lamb with their hands, dip them in a special sauce, and take big bites. This primitive, rustic way of eating makes it unforgettable. People of all ethnic groups in Qinghai—whether Hui, Han, Mongolian, or Salar—use Hand-grasped mutton as a delicacy to honor guests.

Top 2: Kang Pot Lamb Ribs/炕锅羊排

Kang Pot Lamb Ribs

The people of Northwest China have mastered countless ways to cook lamb, but Kang Pot Lamb Ribs is a delicacy unique to Xining.

A Kang Pot is a traditional cooking vessel used in Qinghai, typically placed over a gentle fire inside a Kang cave. It heats up quickly and retains heat well, allowing food to cook slowly while releasing its rich aroma, resulting in dishes that are dry and fragrant.

To prepare Kang Pot Lamb Ribs, the lamb ribs are first slow-boiled in the Kang Pot to remove any gaminess, then are taken out and stir-fried with scallions, ginger, and onions before adding potato chunks to absorb the flavors, making the dish tender and delicious. The golden, crispy skin crackles with each bite, while the meat is firm and flavorful without being greasy. Paired with a mouthful of well-seasoned potatoes, it’s utterly satisfying.

Top 3: Qinghai Rang Pi/青海酿皮

Qinghai Rang Pi

Qinghai Rang Pi is a traditional snack with distinctive characteristics from Qinghai, which can be found everywhere at the Rang Pi stalls in Xining. It has a smooth and tender texture, with a refreshing balance of sourness and spiciness that leaves a lasting aftertaste.

There are two types of Qinghai Rang Pi: the Simmered Rang Pi, which has a golden shine, is thin, crisp, and delicate; and the Steamed Rang Pi, which has a dark brown color, is thick and hearty. Although their appearances differ, both have a similar flavor. Though it is a snack, Rang Pi can serve as a filling main dish or be enjoyed as a cold appetizer paired with drinks. It can be eaten hot or cold, making it suitable for all seasons.

Top 4: Sheep Intestine Noodles/羊肠面

Sheep Intestine Noodles

Sheep Intestine Noodles, a traditional snack of Xining, can be said to be instant noodles of Xining and comparable to Wuhan's famous hot dry noodles. It is also one of the local halal dishes. The dish features lamb intestines as the main ingredient, served with noodles and a hot broth. There are two types of lamb intestines: meat-filled intestines, which are stuffed with lamb offal, and dough-filled intestines, which are stuffed with pea flour.

The broth is a light yellow, with clean, tender pieces of intestine, while the fat intestine appears white and soft. The noodles are long, smooth, and chewy, and when paired with spicy oil, garlic, vinegar, and chili, the combination stimulates your appetite. It can be served cold in summer or hot in winter, making it an affordable and instant snack. Since the noodles are grabbed into the bowl, they are also known as "Grabbed Noodles".

Top 5: Sheep Offal Soup/羊杂汤

Sheep Offal Soup

In Xining, breakfast options are diverse, but no morning meal is complete without a bowl of Sheep Offal Soup. For the people of Xining, this dish is the highlight of breakfast—a rich, flavorful, and hearty soup that awakens the senses and starts the day for many in Xining.

As its name suggests, Sheep Offal Soup is made by thoroughly cleaning and finely chopping lamb head, heart, liver, intestines, and blood, then simmering them with scallions, pepper, salt, and other seasonings to create a savory broth, typically enjoyed with flatbread. When eating, tear the bread into pieces and toss them into the soup, and after they have been soaked with the broth, scoop it out and savor it, each bite is bursting with flavor. Apart from lamb offal soup, Beef Offal Soup is another local favorite.

Top 6: Qinghai Yogurt/青海老酸奶

Qinghai Yogurt

Qinghai Yogurt can be found in every corner of Xining and is a traditional yak milk yogurt. It is a must-try dessert in the city, with a semi-solid texture similar to tofu pudding. During preparation, fresh milk is poured into small bowls and fermented with a few drops of vegetable oil added to the rim, giving the yogurt’s surface a golden hue with tiny oil specks. The final product is pure white, rich in aroma, smooth, and slightly sour. A spoonful of sugar is often added, sweet in sour. refreshing and appetizing.

Where to eat

Top 1: Mojia Street/莫家街

Mojia Street

Mojia Street is located on the south side of East Street in the city center of Xining, opposite Yinma Street. It has a history of over 600 years. It is a paradise for food lovers, lined with numerous shops offering a rich variety of local delicacies. Visitors can savor an array of snacks, all showcasing the distinctive flavors of the Great Northwest, making it an unmissable destination for visitors exploring Xining. In the evenings, it’s a great place to relax with friends, enjoy delicious food, sip on some drinks, and unwind in a lively yet cozy atmosphere.

• Recommended: Sheep Intestine Noodles, Hand-grasped Mutton, Qinghai Rang Pi, Sweet Barley Wine, Qinghai Yogurt
• Operating Hours: 00:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Address: Mojia Street, Chengzhong District, Xining

Top 2: Halal Yixin Hand-grasped Mutton Restaurant/清真·益鑫羊肉手抓馆

Halal Yixin Restaurant

Yixin Hand-grasped Mutton Restaurant retains the authentic taste of local lamb, making it a renowned specialty snack shop. It is an old-established shop located in a small alley near the mosque, and it is also the most famous place in Xining for hand-grabbed lamb. The owner is a typical Qinghai Muslim who pays great attention to the dietary customs of Muslims. The lamb is very tender and soft, with no gamey taste, and the roasted potato chunks inside are also a unique feature of the dish.

• Recommended: Hand-grasped Mutton, Braised Mutton, Kang Pot Lamb Ribs, Vermicelli with Pickled Cabbage, Qinghai Yogurt
• Operating Hours: 08:30 AM – 09:30 PM
• Address: No. 5 Baiyu Lane, Chengdong District, Xining
• Telephone: 0971-8179336

Top 3: Ma Zhong Restaurant/马忠食府

Ma Zhong Restaurant

Ma Zhong Restaurant, formerly known as the famous Ma Zhong Rang Pi, later became home to Maria Casseroles as well. Since then, Ma Zhong Restaurant has gathered a variety of traditional Qinghai snacks. Located on Mojia Street, Ma Zhong Restaurant is always bustling, with people from all over the country coming to enjoy the food. Here, you can taste authentic Xining cuisine.

• Recommended: Grilled Lamb Chop, Sheep Intestine Noodles, Ma Zhong Rang Pi, Qinghai Yogurt, Milk and Egg Laozao
• Operating Hours: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
• Address: No. 10 Mojia Street, Chengdong District, Xining
• Telephone: 19909714998

Top 4: Quan'ertou Offal Soup/泉儿头杂碎

Quan'ertou Offal Soup

Quan'ertou Offal Soup is a unique, century-old Halal restaurant. The tables and chairs are spotless white, offering a comfortable dining environment. A medium-sized premium sheep offal set includes a large bowl of offal soup and a momo, offering generous portions at an affordable price. The lamb offal is not gamey, delicate and flavorful, making it enjoyable even for those unaccustomed to eating lamb.

• Recommended: Sheep Offal Soup, Beef Offal Soup, Momo
• Operating Hours: 05:00 AM – 02:30 PM
• Address: No. 74 Main Street, Chengdong District, Xining
• Telephone: 15297018900

Top 5: Lujiyuan Qinghai Old Hot Pot/陆记源·青海土火锅

Lujiyuan Qinghai Old Hot Pot

This traditional Qinghai-style hot pot restaurant may have a simple environment, but it is extremely popular. The old hot pot uses a copper pot fueled by charcoal, where a variety of ingredients such as sauerkraut, vermicelli, hairtail fish, meatballs, cured meat, mushrooms, and tofu are simmered in lamb broth. The combination of meats and vegetables is flavorful, spicy, and refreshing, with generous portions.

• Recommended: Qinghai Old Hot Pot, Gou Jiaoniao, Momo, Qinghai Yogurt
• Operating Hours: 10:30 AM – 10:30 PM
• Address: No. 31 Yinma Street, Chengzhong District, Xining
• Telephone: 0971-4910881

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