Dunhuang local food and restaurants, what and where to eat in Dunhuang

Dunhuang—this name might evoke images of famous attractions like the Mogao Caves, Mingsha Mountain, and Crescent Spring, or the historical and cultural treasures of the Silk Road and Dunhuang murals. However, Dunhuang also has an irresistible charm that lingers in the heart: Dunhuang cuisine. Dunhuang cuisine is a rich tapestry of Han and ethnic minority flavors, blending the cultures of the Central Plains and the Western Regions, and harmonizing ancient traditions with modern tastes. It not only satisfies your palate but also immerses you in a vibrant cultural atmosphere and allure. Following are food and restaurant that recommended to enjoy in Dunhuang.

What to eat

Top 1: Donkey Meat with Yellow Noodles/驴肉黄面

Donkey Meat with Yellow Noodles is a famous dish from Dunhuang, hailed as a unique in China. As the name suggests, Donkey Meat with Yellow Noodles consists of two components: sauced donkey meat and hand-pulled yellow noodles. A local saying goes, "Heavenly dragon meat, earthly donkey meat", and after the reform and opening up, Dunhuang's sauced donkey meat gradually gained popularity among tourists, becoming a renowned snack in China.

The crafting of yellow noodles is exquisite, like kneading, pulling, and tossing to create thin, silky noodles. When cooked, the noodles take on a glossy and yellow appearance, hence the name, topped with sauced donkey meat and drizzled with a special sauce mixed with minced shiitake mushrooms. The donkey meat is tender with rich flavors, paired with the smooth and refreshing yellow noodles, that is appetizing and leaves an endless aftertaste.

Top 2: Mutton Hezhi/羊肉合汁

Mutton Hezhi (Mixed Soup) is a kind of mutton vermicelli soup, a traditional breakfast dish from Dunhuang. Select the locally raised, well-fed castrated rams and their bones, which are simmered to create a rich broth, poured over cooked vermicelli, accompanied by slices of lamb, meatballs, fungus, tofu, and other ingredients. Served with a crispy flatbread, it offers a refreshing and savory flavor. Especially in winter, eating a bowl of steaming hot and fragrant Mutton Hezhi can drive away the cold, warm the body, and make one feel refreshed. For travelers who setting foot on the land of Dunhuang, not trying a bowl of Hezhi will inevitably become a regret.

Top 3: Lamb Braised Bings/胡羊焖饼

Lamb Braised Bings (thinly rolled dough sheets) is a unique traditional wheaten food from Dunhuang, developed from the dietary habits of the Hu people. The preparation of Lamb Braised Bings is quite distinctive: when braising the lamb until it's nearly cooked, bings are layered on top of the meat, allowing the lamb and dough to braise together, making the dough fully absorb the rich flavors of the lamb. The braised bings then, with large chunks of lamb covering the plate, is mouth watering, and the bings are soft, tender, and smooth, with a full color and rich aroma.

Top 4: Scrambled Eggs with Sand Scallion/沙葱炒蛋

Scrambled Eggs with Sand Scallion is a distinctive dish from Dunhuang. Sand scallion, also known as allium mongolicum, resembles green onion and boasts a vibrant green color, which is a flavorful ingredient native to the Dunhuang Gobi, with delicious taste and subtle sweetness. When stir-fried with fresh, tender eggs, it creates the delightful dish. The crispness of the sand scallion complements the softness of the scrambled eggs, with the fragrant aroma of the chives perfectly merging with the richness of the eggs, whetting appetite, making it a beloved local delicacy.

Top 5: Bubbly Fried Cake/泡儿油糕

Bubbly Fried Cake is a traditional pastry that evolved from a court dessert during the Tang Dynasty. Its name comes from its bright yellow color and airy, puffed surface adorned with numerous tiny bubbles, resembling pearls. Scald dough with lard and water, then fill it with a mixture of sesame, almonds, and rose. During frying, maintaining the right temperature and timing is crucial for achieving the desired puffiness, forming a crispy outer layer, while the inside is sweet and soft, melting in your mouth with each bite.

Top 6: Apricot Peel Soup/杏皮水

Apricot Peel Soup is one of Dunhuang's signature beverages, made from the local Li Guang apricots through boiling and processing. The drink has a bright orange-yellow hue and offers a delightful sweet and sour flavor that refreshes the palate, and it tastes even better after Chilled. On a hot summer day, drinking a glass of chilled apricot peel water can drive away the heat and bring refreshing coolness.

Where to eat

Top 1: Shunzhang Yellow Noodles House/顺张黄面馆

Shunzhang Yellow Noodles House is a time-honored restaurant that has been passed down through five generations, tucked away in the bustling alleys of Dunhuang. Its signature dish, Shunzhang Yellow Noodles, is renowned for its chewy noodles, rich meat flavors, and delicious taste, attracting visitors from near and far. Founded in the late Qing Dynasty by Ma Shunzhang, the restaurant has become the first to specialize in donkey meat noodles, boasting over a century of history, drawing both locals and tourists.

• Recommended: donkey meat with yellow noodles, donkey meat spring roll, sauced donkey meat, apricot peel soup
• Operating Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• Address: Building 1 Binhe Century Home, Jinshan Road, Dunhuang
• Telephone: 0937-8824910

Top 2: Lamb Braised Bings Dunhuang/胡羊焖饼（敦煌店）

The restaurant's signature dish, Lamb Braised Bings, shares its name with the establishment and is one of Dunhuang's distinctive specialties. The decoration is steeped in Dunhuang cultural elements, enhancing the dining experience. Portion sizes are generous, and the prices are very reasonable, making it a popular spot for both locals and visitors looking to savor authentic regional flavors.

• Recommended: lamb braised bings, scrambled eggs with sand scallion, sand scallion with sauce, apricot peel soup
• Operating Hours: 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM
• Address: north gate of Binhe Century Home, Jinshan Road, Dunhuang
• Telephone: 18793738918

Top 3: Xia Family Hezhi/夏家合汁

Xia Family Hezhi is the most famous establishment for Hezhi in Dunhuang and is highly recommended by locals as a breakfast spot. Their lamb soup is flavorful, aromatic without being greasy, and rich in nutrition. When paired with the shop's freshly baked pancakes, the combination is even more delightful. It’s an excellent place to experience the local flavors and culture of Dunhuang.

• Recommended: mutton hezhi, lamb offal soup, pancake, apricot peel soup
• Operating Hours: 06:00 AM – 02:00 PM
• Address: No. 9, Commercial building 3, Tianrun Garden, Dunhuang
• Telephone: 15809375661

Top 4: Jinyuan Galiu Delicious Lamb/靖远尕六美味羊羔肉

In the streets of Dunhuang, there are many "hand-grabbed lamb" restaurants, but one of the most famous is Jingyuan Galiu Lamb. The restaurant is conveniently located in the city of Dunhuang and can be easily reached by taxi or on foot. The freshly cooked lamb is steaming hot, tender, and delicious, attracting many tourists who specifically come to savor its exquisite flavor.

• Recommended: Hand-grasped Lamb, cumin lamb chops, lamb offal soup, apricot peel soup
• Operating Hours: 11:00 AM – 03:00 PM & 05:00 PM – 10:30 PM
• Address: east gate of Shazhou Park, Beitai Lane, Dunhuang
• Telephone: 13830716008

Top 5: Dunhuang Night Market/敦煌夜市

Dunhuang Night Market, also known as Shazhou Night Market, is the largest in the city, located on Yangguan East Road. When night falls and the lights come on, it becomes a bustling hub of activity. Visitors can indulge in authentic "Dunhuang flavors," with a dazzling array of street snacks that delight the senses.

• Recommended: beef patty with allium mongolicum, desert roasted fish, bubbly fried cake, apricot peel soup
• Operating Hours: 04:00 PM – 03:00 AM
• Address: Yangguan Middle Road, Dunhuang

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