Hohhot Food - What and Where to eat in Hohhot

Hohhot's delicacies have the strong Mongolian features. Mutton dominates the menu because of the influences of the herdsmen customs. Mutton you get here is worth a try as you can hardly find better mutton elsewhere in China.

The whole roasted sheep is one among the most important traditional and unique dishes here. It was a privilege enjoyed only by kings of Mongolia due to the special and complicated cooking method. Luckily, everyone can taste it now. The whole roasted sheep is famous not only for its meat but also for the special method of preparation. The mutton, filled with various spices, is first heated at high temperature in an airtight oven until medium-well done. Then the mutton is roasted on fire until it becomes golden. This step allows the meat to absorb the flavors of the spices completely. The mutton then is served on a huge plate and given to guests. Anyone who has ever tasted it can never forget it.

Unlike whole roasted sheep, shouba rou (mutton eaten with hands) is more popular among herdsmen. Mutton is boiled in a wok without any spices. Shouba rou is then cut with a knife and dipped in seasonings. Herdsmen usually have shouba rou as dinner. Getting a chance to taste shouba rou during your visit to grasslands means you get a close chance to understand the dining habits and sentiments of the locals. Herdsmen cannot express their hospitality without offering shouba rou to guests. However, remember it is important not to choose the mutton yourself. The host will select different mutton pieces meant for different people according to their age i.e. the aged will have leg, young people will be given ribs and ladies will get the tender parts of the chest.

Instant boiled mutton is very popular all over China, but the mutton in Inner Mongolia is the tenderest. This is a very good choice in cold weather.

Fried sheep tail is made up of fat from the sheep tail, egg white, preserved sugar and fruit. This dish is beautiful, sweet and crispy.

All-fish banquet includes more than 120 dishes made from fish or shrimp from Hulun Lake. All-fish banquet is made from carp, crucian, and shrimp prepared by boiling, steaming, frying, stewing, etc.

Dairy products are abundant here including cheese, sour cream, salty milk tea and mare milk drinks. Mare milk drink is the highlight of any trip to Hohhot. It is a tradition among herdsmen to treat guests with generous servings of mare milk drink. This special drink is tasty and it can cure cold and also stimulate the circulation of blood.

Oats is the staple food in Hohhot. Oat powder made into noodles seasoned with pepper and garlic is very popular among locals.

Shaomei are steamed dumplings with mutton. Shaomei, which was used as breakfast now, has become a common item in many homes and eateries.

In addition, travelers should try fried noodles, camel mince pie and fried rice at least once to know what the locals' daily lives are like.