Top 10 Xinjiang Delicacies

Xinjiang cuisine is rich and diverse. Don't miss the chance to taste Uyghur food, which combines Middle Eastern, Central Asian and Chinese flavors. Try signature dishes such as Da Pan Ji (Big Plate Chicken), Samsa (Baked Meat Pastry), Latiaozi (mixed noodles) and Nang Bread.

1. Nang Bread

Nang is a traditional Xinjiang bread that comes in various shapes and sizes. It can be plain or stuffed with ingredients like lamb, onions, or spices. Nang is a staple food in Xinjiang and is often enjoyed with tea or served alongside other dishes.

• Features: crispy outside, soft inside; fragrant, slightly salty
• Recommendation: Jinzhu Da Pan Ji (Big Plate Chicken)
• Address: 1st Floor, No. 38 Zhongwan Street, Tianshan District, Urumqi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China

2. Da Pan Ji (Big Plate Chicken)

This is a hearty dish made with chicken, potatoes, bell peppers, onions, and noodles cooked with aromatic spices. It is called “big plate chicken” because it is traditionally served in a large plate to share. It is typically served with bread or noodles.

• Features: spicy, savory, rich; tender chicken with aromatic sauce
• Recommendation: Jinzhu Da Pan Ji (Big Plate Chicken)
• Address: 1st Floor, No. 38 Zhongwan Street, Tianshan District, Urumqi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China

3. Grilled mutton skewers

Grilled mutton skewers are the most distinctive foods in Xinjiang. Unlike those in other places, the mutton skewers here are roasted on a special barbecue iron trough. When making them, they are roasted over a coal fire while condiments such as refined salt, chili powder, and cumin powder are sprinkled on. The meat is delicious, and the price is very reasonable.

• Features: smoky, juicy; rich mutton flavor with a hint of cumin
• Recommendation: Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar (Market)
• Address: No. 510 Jiefang South Road, Tianshan District, Urumqi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China

4. Latiaozi (mixed noodles)

Latiaozi (mixed noodles) is famous for its chewy noodles and rich ingredients. Among them, Toksun mixed noodles are known as the "Champion of Xinjiang mixed noodles". Its noodles are chewy, the mutton is fresh, fragrant and tender, and the taste is unique, which is deeply loved by people.

• Features: chewy, savory; harmonious blend of meat and vegetable flavors
• Recommendation: Huaidian Wangpo Prawn
• Address: 40 meters northeast of the intersection of Jiefang North Road and Zhongshan Road, Tianshan District, Urumqi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China

5. Polo (Pilaf)

Xinjiang’s version of pilaf is a fragrant rice dish cooked with meat (often lamb or chicken), carrots, onions, and a blend of spices. It is a staple in Xinjiang cuisine and often served during special occasions.

• Features: fragrant rice, tender meat; sweet and savory with nutty notes
• Recommendation: Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar (Market)
• Address: No. 510 Jiefang South Road, Tianshan District, Urumqi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China

6. Samsa (Baked Meat Pastry)

Samsa is a savory pastry stuffed with a mixture of ground meat, onions, and spices. It is then baked until golden brown and is a popular snack in Xinjiang.

• Features: crispy crust, juicy filling; savory, slightly spiced
• Recommendation: Xiaohe Prince's Secret Grilled Mutton Leg
• Address: 2nd Floor, Jinzhuan International, No. 338 Zhongshan Road, Jiefang North Road Sub-district, Tianshan District, Urumqi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China

7. Roast Buns

Roast buns are one of the favorite foods of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang. For the filling, fresh mutton is cut into small cubes, mixed with oil and onions, seasoned with salt, pepper, etc., and then stirred well. The buns are stuck into a tandoor and slowly roasted. The roasted buns have thin skins and plenty of filling, and are one of the beloved delicacies of the people in Xinjiang.

• Features: golden crispy skin, tender filling; rich meaty aroma with sesame fragrance
• Recommendation: Zhuxi No.1·Tianyu Pavilion
• Address: 3rd Floor, Phase II of Taibai Shopping Mall, Railway Bureau Area, Xinshi District, Urumqi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China

8. Jiaoma Chicken(Spicy and Numbing Chicken)

Using original ecological local chickens raised in Xinjiang as the raw material, the chicken is cooked, then mixed with ingredients such as chili peppers, shredded green onions, and onions. After that, chicken soup and spicy-numbing sauce are poured over it, and it can be served once stirred. The taste of spicy and numbing chicken sold in each store may vary, because each store has its own unique formula for the spicy-numbing sauce.

• Features: spicy, numbing, refreshing; balanced heat with savory broth
• Recommendation: Ganiang Jiaoma Chicken
• Address: No. 478 North Second Lane, Kunlun Road, Shuimogou District, Urumqi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China

9. Youtazi (Oil Tower Pastry)

Youtazi, shaped like a tower, is a favorite flour-and-oil food among the Uyghur people. It is generally eaten as breakfast with fen tang (noodle soup). Usually consumed in the morning, youtazi is paired with fen tang or milk, offering balanced nutrition and a delicious taste. It can be eaten with vinegar and chili to enhance the flavor, making it even more savory.

• Features: layered, buttery; soft, fragrant with a hint of salt
• Recommendation: Pomegranate Red
• Address: 1st Floor, Ruihao International Hotel, No. 89 Henan West Road, Xinshi District, Urumqi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China

10. Xinjiang Stir-Fried Rice Noodles

Xinjiang stir-fried rice noodles are thick noodles made from high-quality rice, which are not easy to break during cooking and have a rich rice aroma when tasted. The ingredients include beef, chicken, onions, and tomatoes, along with a unique sauce. Both delicious and healthy, it is a favorite dish among many people in Xinjiang.

• Features: chewy, spicy; bold sauce flavor with fresh vegetable notes
• Recommendation: Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar (Market)
• Address: No. 510 Jiefang South Road, Tianshan District, Urumqi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China