Dunhuang Food - What and Where to eat in Dunhuang

Camel Hoof on Silk Road: This dish derives its name from the shape of camel-hoofprints on the Silk Road, mirrored in the serving of this camel hoof dish on a layer of egg-based “Silk Road”. Camel hoof is tendon, and this nutritious dish is considered a rare delicacy by the local people - camels livelong lives, and since they are not reared and killed specifically as a food source, the hoof is difficult to find. Firstly, prepare the hoof by cleaning and marinating it in water until soft. Then add flavor with some local seasoning and steam it together with a chicken for seven hours till the bones can be easily removed. Cut the hoof into pieces, add then flavor by braising with more seasoning for two to three hours. Finally, make the egg white “Silk Road” base; serve the camel hoof in a hoofprint shape on top.

Stir-fried Hump with Five Shreds: This traditional Dunhuang dish, Stir-fried Hump with Five Shreds, was a favorite of high-ranking imperial concubine Yang Yuhuan of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Camel hump is the primary ingredient, accompanied with five shreds consisting of Yulan (dryed bamboo shoot), Dongru (a type of mushroom), leek shots, ham and chicken breast.

Fried Oil Cake: Tasting fragrant, sweet and crisp, these rounded cakes are stuffed with sugar candy, rose-essence, walnut and sesame, sealed in a fried oil flour skin.

Yellow Noodle: a kind of Lamian (dough stretched to form fine noodles). It looks like golden string, tastes delicious and has a soft texture. Yellow Noodles can be mixed with cooked vegetable dishes or added to soups. From paintings in the Mogao Caves, we can see that Lamian is a traditional local food with a long history.

Niang Pi Zi: This is a kind of traditional popular fast food in Dunhuang. This is made by first mixing flour and water together into a bowl, then ladling the mixture onto an iron plate. After steaming for about one minute, the mixture becomes a thin wafer cake. Cut the cake into thin strips, leave it to cool. The last step is flavoring with mustard, garlic, capsicum, sauce and vinegar. It is both a little spicy and vinegary.

Dunhuang Food Streets

The Night Market in Shazhou Market of Dunhuang City: There is a dining square in the market, where you just need to order your dishes and the waitress will take the food from the restaurant and then bring it out to you. Of course, you can also enjoy your dinner in the restaurants if you prefer!. To wash down your food you can try the Xingpi Shui (Apricot Peel Water) or perhaps the local beer, both of which are also worth trying.