The food of Xinjiang, China’s vast Muslim northwest, tastes of the Silk Road — smoky grilled lamb, cumin and chilli, hand-pulled noodles and flatbreads, with strong Central Asian influences. It’s halal, hearty and hugely popular all over China.

What to order

• Lamb skewers (羊肉串) — cumin-and-chilli grilled mutton; the ultimate street snack.
• Big-plate chicken (大盘鸡) — chicken, potato and peppers in a spiced stew, served over wide hand-pulled noodles.
• Laghman (拌面 / 拉条子) — hand-pulled noodles with stir-fried toppings.
• Naan — chewy tandoor-baked flatbread.
• Polo (手抓饭) — pilaf rice with lamb and carrot.

Where to eat it

You’ll find excellent Xinjiang restaurants in every major Chinese city, not just the region itself — look for the skewers grilling out front.

The most authentic places (confirm branches/booking before you go):

• Urumqi — Herembag (海尔巴格): a polished, popular spot for Xinjiang and Central Asian dishes; pair it with the city’s lively night markets for skewers.
• Kashgar: graze the Old Town bazaar stalls — lamb skewers, naan and polo don’t get more authentic than this.
• Beijing — Crescent Moon (弯弯的月亮 / Wanwan de Yueliang): a long-loved hutong restaurant widely rated the most authentic Uyghur food in the capital.

Tips

• It’s a great halal option for Muslim travellers.
• Portions are generous — big-plate chicken is made for sharing.
• Wash it down with sweet milk tea or yoghurt.