Food in Dunhuang
Located in Western China and bordering Xinjiang Province, Dunhuangs cuisine is influenced much by the nomads, Grilled Mutton being the most popular dish in both restaurants and hotels in this vibrant city. There's a normal-priced supermarket opposite the long-distance bus station (beside Feitian Binguan) to stock up on water, snacks and other groceries.
Developed and improved by Zhao Chang'an (master chef and restaurateur), Dunhuang Dishes are recognized as one of the New Eight Cuisines of China. Firstly, we will introduce some traditional dishes.
Camel Hoof on Silk Road
A dish, also known as Camel Hoof on Jokul, gained its name for the shape that is like camel prints on the Jokul. It is a known fact that the camel is the most important means of transportation along the ancient Silk Road. They can travel across the arid desert for great distances, aided by their four broad feet. Camel Hoof is actually tendon, and is highly nutritious. People hardly ever kill camels, and with its long life span, the hoof is difficult to find, and is almost as precious as bear palm. To prepare the hoof, clean and marinate it in water until soft, then flavor with some seasoning and steam it together with a chicken for seven or eight hours till the bones can be easily removed. Cut the hoof into pieces, add flavors braised in bamboo steamer for two or three hours. Finally, use egg white to make the jokul, put them together and make a shape of camel hoof on Jokul.
Stir-fried Hump with Five Shredding
This traditional Dunhuang dish was a favorite of high-ranking imperial concubine Yang Yuhuan of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The primary ingredient is Camel hump, accompanied with five shredding consists of Yulan (dryed bamboo shoot), Dongru (a type of mushroom), leek shoots, ham and chicken breast. It is featured in fat and the soft meat.
Quick-frying Hump
Cut the Camel hump into regular pieces or shredding and quick-fry them. Flavor with seasonings, and voila the finished fresh, soft and tasteful Quick-frying Hump.
The above dishes usually use Camels that die naturally, or are old and infirm as the ingredient. They are delicacies, and you should expect to pay accordingly. If tourists wanted to try such dishes, you should visit some famous hotels in Dunhuang City.
The local snacks are also attractive; here we have some recommended local flavors with simple introduction.
Where to Eat
Charlie Johng's cafe, Mingshan Road (Opposite the long-distance bus station and 50m north). Reasonably priced western meals available. Very helpful staff. 25 Yuan for English breakfast set.
Shirley's cafe, Mingshan Road (opposite Charlie Johng's cafe). It's a bit pricy and the portions are pretty small. edit
Night market skewers stalls, (downtown night market). Lamb, potato, mushroom, bread... skewers; yogurt. edit
Yunnan Cross Bridge Mixian, 7 Baiwei Jie (in the night market area, between the covered market and street with all the skewers.). Until 12am. Own by a lively small lady, eager to introduce you to her home cuisine. Tasty rice noodles with authentic sauces. Chinese speaker handy. ¥20/Person.
Lovina Pizza, No. 1, Level 3, B Building, Business Walking Street (close to the local government office, above the kaierliang supermarket), 0937 - 8858996, . 10:30am to 11:00pm. A nice quiet pizza restaurant (only one in town) with good easy to read menu with English and pictures. Free wireless internet and decent relatively cheap coffee. They also do deliveries if you can speak Chinese. ¥15 - 65 per pizza.
Oasis, Pedestrian Street (Southern end of the Pedestrian street, just a few blocks west of the Mosque), +86 150 0937 6021. opens at 2pm. Run by an Oklahoman, this cafe has good coffee, milkshakes, and a small menu with pizza and hamburgers. The wifi is fast. edit
Si Chuan Restaurant, Same block as Charlie Johng's Cafe, just a few meters south (From Charlie Johng's Cafe walk a few meters down south). Very good Sichuan cuisine at very affordable prices. Although they don't speak English, they do have English menu. But it's best to look at other tables for things you like and take a pick from there. Certainly a place not to be missed.
Shanxi Li Ji Pork Burger, Booth No.10, Fried Food Street, Night Market, Downtown Dunhuang (From the north entrance of the night market in downtown Dunhuang, walk about 30 meters on the left there will be a small green sign written in English Fried Food Street. Look for booth number 10.). Serves cheap but very tasty Chinese pork burger (known to be the origin of hamburger). A combination of slow cooked fatty pork, garlic, green peppers, and other Chinese spices stuffed inside a dense and crispy charcoal baked flat bread. This hearty pork burger is only 8 yuan a piece (as of April 2013), other meats and various soups are also available.
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