1.Stewed lamb offal
Stewed mutton offal is one of the top ten classic dishes in Ningxia, and is deeply loved by local people of all ethnic groups. This dish is made from the head, heart, liver, intestines, stomach, hoof, blood and other parts of the sheep, which are put into a pot with various seasonings and mixed and stewed, so it is also called “mutton offal stew”. Its aroma is fragrant and appetizing. It is bright red and shiny when served in a bowl; it is fat but not greasy when eaten, which makes people’s appetite open. In Ningxia, this dish is not only a local snack, but also a traditional dish that people like at banquets.
2.Wuzhong Hand-Pulled Lamb
Wuzhong Hand-Pulled Lamb is a traditional delicacy in Ningxia, and is loved by people for its unique taste and flavor. This dish originated from the Mongolian, Tibetan, Hui, Kazakh, Uyghur and other ethnic groups in northwest China, and has a history of nearly a thousand years. In Ningxia, hand-pulled lamb is usually made from lambs that are less than one year old, especially castrated lambs that have not eaten grass. The lamb made in this way is fat but not smelly, has an attractive color, and has a tender taste. During the cooking process, the lamb is first boiled until half-cooked, then cooked with onions, peppers and other seasonings, and finally poured with a special soup. When eating, it can be torn directly by hand or cut with a Tibetan knife, hence the name “hand-pulled lamb”.
3.Stir-fried lamb
Stir-fried lamb is a specialty of Ningxia, and is loved by people for its tenderness, deliciousness and fragrance. This dish mainly uses the cooking method of “stir-frying”, combined with “braising” and “stewing”, so that the fragrance of lamb can fully penetrate into the meat. Lamb itself is very tender, and after being stir-fried over high heat, its meat becomes more tender and delicious. When making it, lamb, celery, vermicelli, red pepper, onion and other ingredients are usually used, and the lamb is fried until it is cooked. This dish has a bright red color, tender meat and a mellow taste. It is a very popular traditional snack in all parts of Ningxia.
4.Mutton Sauce Noodles
Mutton Saozi Noodles is a traditional noodle dish in Ningxia, which is deeply loved by local residents and tourists. This dish originated from the “longevity noodles” in the Tang Dynasty. After being passed down from generation to generation, it has gradually evolved into what it is today. Its characteristics are the Saozi made of ingredients such as mutton, red pepper, green radish, and tomatoes, and the soup made of meat, chili oil, seasonal vegetables, tofu and other seasonings. The white and flexible noodles are paired with the bright red Saozi soup, which greatly increases your appetite. In particular, mutton, as the key role of this dish, is fried and blended with a variety of seasonings, exuding an irresistible fragrance.
5.Artemisia Noodles
Artemisia noodles are a specialty of Ningxia, known for their unique production process and exquisite ingredients. This dish is made entirely by hand, from kneading the dough to frying the sauce, every step is meticulous. When kneading the dough, the “artemisia noodles” made from the seeds of the wild plant Artemisia sphaerocephala are added to make the noodles soft, tender, fragrant and delicious. Paired with mutton sauce, the taste is even more delicious. Artemisia noodles not only taste great, but also have a history of more than 300 years. The refreshing and delicious soup base makes people linger, and it has the effect of strengthening the stomach and clearing away heat.
6.Stewed Snacks
Stewed snacks are a traditional and famous snack in Ningxia, especially in Zhongwei, where it is called Zhongwei vegetarian stew. Although the preparation process of this dish seems complicated, it is actually very rich and interesting. First, the mutton is washed and chopped into meat paste, which is mixed with eggs, starch, green onions and ginger to make meat filling. Part of the meat filling is spread on an egg skin, then covered with another egg skin and cut into diamond-shaped pieces for frying. The other part of the meat filling is squeezed into meatballs for frying. Finally, the fried ingredients are stewed with mutton soup, spinach, etc., making them delicious and tender. Especially the clear soup base, which makes people have endless aftertaste.
7.Mutton Noodles
Mutton noodles are a popular specialty in Ningxia. The production process of this noodle is similar to Xinjiang’s la tiaozi. The dough is first rolled into sheets, then cut into thin strips and rolled into balls by hand. After cooking, it is poured with a soup made from mutton juice, diced mutton and fresh vegetables, and red chili oil is added to enhance the flavor. This dish has fine noodles, delicious meat and a unique flavor. Although first-timers may not be able to adapt to the rich soup, most people will be attracted by its spicy and delicious taste.
8.Knead the swallow face
Yanmian Rourou is a traditional snack in Ningxia. It originated in Guyuan and is now made and served all over Ningxia. It is made from oatmeal (Guyuan people usually call it oats), hence the name. The characteristics of this snack are its bright white color, thin and continuous appearance, and soft and chewy texture. For people who usually eat white flour, it may feel a little uncomfortable to try oatmeal for the first time, but after trying it a few times, you will get used to its unique flavor. In addition to being delicious, Yanmian Rourou is also rich in nutritional value.
9.Fried glutinous rice
Fried Hubo is a very popular snack in Ningxia, especially in Yinchuan and Wuzhong. The characteristic of this dish is its rich taste, which combines various flavors such as fragrant and spicy, and is very chewy. It is made by cutting pancakes into strips and then adding various ingredients to stir-fry. Although diners who try it for the first time may not be able to adapt to its unique taste, they often develop a deep love for it after tasting it many times. This dish can be used not only as a snack, but also as a staple food, and is an indispensable local delicacy.
10.Stewed Chicken
Boiled chicken is a specialty of Ningxia, and is loved by people for its chewy texture and rich flavor. This dish uses chicken as the main ingredient. After being processed and washed, it is stir-fried with onions, ginger, dried chilies and other auxiliary ingredients until it is tasty. Then, the chicken is poured into a casserole, and an appropriate amount of water is added. After boiling over high heat, it is simmered on low heat for 2 hours. The chicken soup stewed in this way is rich in color, and the chicken is tender and delicious, which has a good nourishing effect.