Qinghai is not only famous for its attractions but also for its foods. Once you are there, don't miss out on the opportunity to enjoy a taste of local and traditional foods, such as hand-grasped mutton, mutton kebabs, lamb chops, Zasui Soup, Niangpi, Qinghai old yogurt, etc.

There are many restaurants both inside the scenic areas and in Caka Town. It is convenient for you to have a rest and enjoy the local foods.

Hand-grasped Mutton（“Shouzhua yangrou”）

'Shouzhua yangrou', translated as 'Hand-grasped mutton, features rich flavor, tender, fat - but not greasy - meat, rich nutrition and overflowing aroma. Like the name itself suggests, you can literally use your hand to pick up the lamb and dip it into spices. For the local people, this dish used to treat guests.

Mutton Kebabs

Mutton Kebabs is one of the favorites of the locals. Chunks of mutton are strung on a skewer and roasted over charcoal. The kebabs are turned continually, and when they are almost done, salt, pepper and other seasonings are sprinkled on them. Kebabs look crispy outside but are tender, slightly salty and hot.

Lamb Chops

In the season of fat mutton, it is enjoyable to have a meal with lamb chop and a glass of wine. The lamb chops is made in local cooking methods. The savory and spicy lamb chops with vermicelli and potatoes mixed make the dish so delicious that you can not forget.  

Qinghai Local Hot Pot

The boiling of Qinghai Local Hot Pot is generally made of lamb broth and a little sauerkraut. The taste is heavy and spicy. Without red oil and too much seasoning, the soup is clear but with a rich flavour. Generally speaking, there are three kinds of hot pot here, home-style hot pot, seafood hot pot, and vegetarian hot pot. The ingredients are all ordinary foods, such as beef, lamb, pork, octopus, potatoes, tofu, vermicelli, kelp, green vegetables, bamboo shoots and other seasonal vegetables, which fully reflects the local feature.

Zasui Soup

Zasui soup, cooked with lamb and beef offal, is the favorite morning snack for locals. It is a kind of tonic soup and can endure hanger and good for protect you from cold. It is a strong mutton broth(or cattle broth) mixed with different parts of sheep or cattle, which refers to the head, heart, lungs, intestines, stomach, hoofs, etc. In traditional Chinese it is known as “Xiashui”.

Niangpi (or semi-transparent noodles)

Naingpi is a unique flavor in Ningxia, northern China. This kind of "fast food" snack is tasty and refreshing. When eating, you need to cut the whole piece of Niangpi into strips, dousing the noodles with chili oil, vinegar, garlic, soy sauce and mustard sauce. It is characterized by the orange and transparent color, smooth tastes, and spicy and hot flavor.

Qinghai old yogurt

Qinghai old yogurt, a traditional milk product, is fermented with milk as the raw material. It is produced by the high temperature on the “Kang” (local words). The upper layer of the yogurt is covered with a layer of milk. The yogurt is slightly sour but creamy in texture and good for promoting digestion.

Sweet fermented grains

Sweet fermented grains is a kind of sweet snack loved by the locals. It has a sweet taste with a mellow wine flavour, and is made from oats or highland barley. It can not only regulate the diet, but also serve guests. The processing environment is clean and healthy. It helps to ease your tired and boring mode in the summer and keep your body warm in winter. It is also good for keeping healthy and increasing appetite.

There are so many delicious foods here.

Waiting for you to discover and enjoy!.