The Non-Michelin Guide to Ordering at a Xinjiang Restaurant
There is no denying the diversity of Chinese cuisine with its vast regional variations, rich flavors, and centuries-old culinary traditions. There is one cuisine, though, that for me reigns supreme, and you'll see a multitude of these restaurants in Beijing: Xinjiang cuisine. There is nothing better than a homey Xinjiang restaurant with its classic decor and pictorial menu.
The problem is when you order hit or miss dishes and end up watering down the richness of the experience. So, here's my very non-Michelin but still super helpful guide to ordering the best stuff on a Xinjiang restaurant menu.
1. 抓饭 (zhuāfàn): Polo or Pilaf
Starting off with the basics, if you don't know what to order or have never been to a Xinjiang restaurant before, then play it safe and order a polo. A rice dish that's very similar to Uzbek pilaf, there is nothing better in this world than spiced up caramelized onions, glazed pieces of lamb (or sometimes beef) glistening with flavor and fattiness over a bed of gleaming rice with raisins and whatnot. Let it consume you! Let the glory of this dish engulf your being and surrender! You will not regret it!
2. 新疆烤肉 (Xīnjiāng kăoròu) Xinjiang Barbecue
Still keeping things simple, this one is for that friend who's a picky eater and cannot stomach the thought of anything beyond a burger and fries. Introduce them to the great world of Xinjiang barbecue, where cubes of meat (typically lamb) are covered in a spice blend of cumin, chili and other spices, stacked onto skewers and roasted over an open charcoal grill. Believe us when we say nothing quite does it for a meat lover like Xinjiang barbecue.
3. 馕包肉 (nángbāoròu): Xinjiang-Style Braised Lamb With Naan
If you must try anything in this guide, it is nangbaorou. No food compares to this divine heaven-sent dish. Fried naan is topped with a gravy made from lamb plus vegetables like potato, carrots, onions and bell peppers, along with spices from deep in the heart of Xinjiang. The fried naan gets coated in the sauciness of the gravy and softens up a little but still remains firm. Then you dive in with your chopsticks, pin the naan down, add the meat and pair it with a soft buttery potato piece that has one onion slice just snuggling within its crevices … that bite! That bite is what dreams are made of. That bite is what makes the world move on its axis. That bite is both to live for and to die for!
4. 烤包子 (kǎobāozi): Samsa
Whatever you do, never miss an opportunity to order one of these! They're kind of like Xinjiang's take on a hot pocket or English pasty, where lamb or beef is stuffed inside a flaky dough, then roasted until golden brown. Whatever else you're having, a samsa will complement it. Not in the mood for a big dinner? These are a perfect snack! Want a big dinner? They are the perfect addition to your noodle platter! You can even eat them the untraditional way with ketchup or Thai sweet chili sauce or enjoy them with a cold beverage – there's no wrong answer! The meat juices flow and moisten the inside of the baozi while the outside remains crisp and flaky.
5. 大盘鸡 (dàpánjī): Big Plate Chicken
Do you ever feel like drowning in thick, meaty, carby and flavorful gravy that is also full of spices? Then look no further! This is Xinjiang's heartiest of hearty dishes. Often served with naan bread or noodles, it is saucy, it is meaty and it is shareable as can be. Let the bite-sized pieces of chicken, bell peppers and onions consume your being with every bite. Dapanji is also the perfect option at a Xinjiang restaurant for anyone who doesn't eat beef or lamb.
6. 新疆拌面/拉条子 (Xīnjiāng bànmiàn/lātiáozi) Xinjiang Noodles
Some of us like our noodles saucy and boy, you can't get more saucy than Xinjiang banmian. It's often referred to as Xinjiang Bolognese, but after trying this, you'll be going, Bolognese who? Hand-pulled noodles topped with a spiced-up tomato and meat sauce, this dish will take you to a whole different place than stir-fried beef noodles ever did. Almost always served at airports in Xinjiang, Xinjiang banmian is exactly the kind of wake-up call you need after a long-haul flight.
7.新疆麻糖/切糕 (Xīnjiāng mátáng/qiēgāo) Xinjiang Matang
Finishing off this list with something sweet, we have Xinjiang matang, also known as Xinjiang qiegao, which is kind of like Xinjiang's take on a trail mix bar, and trust us when we say nobody, and we mean nobody, does trail mix like the Xinjiang folk. Somehow, they have figured out the true potential of chewy desserts, and there is no going back now. A combination of nuts like almonds, pistachios and walnuts mixed together with caramelized sugar – what better snack would you want! You'll forget your bog-standard high-sugar, low-nutrient trail mixes when you dive into the new love affair that is Xinjiang matang. The flavors shine supreme, and it stands out with major main character energy and we are here for it.
We hope you take the opportunity to try all the dishes we've recommended. Let us know in the comments which is your favorite or what other Xinjiang dishes you'd recommend!
About the Author
Sundus Farooq is an English literature and language teacher based in Beijing. She discovered her voice through her blog, TheLiteraryPeanut.wordpress.com, which she has been curating since 2014. With a passion for storytelling and a deep love for food and travel, she has spent the past decade writing for various publications. Now she ventures on by capturing the flavors, sights, and spirit of Beijing.
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Images: Canva, FreePik, Sundus Farooq, Meituan, Taobao
