Where to eat

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, August 12, 2016
Adjust font size:

The most vibrant nighttime eating area is on Commercial Street, adjoining Dunhuang Night Market Square. This outdoor barbeque emporium resonates to the song of serenading musicians while the air chokes with exotic spices. Despite being a Muslim area, beer is served in large canisters placed on tables. Yellow River Beer is preferable to Dunhuang’s flat and insipid local brew. The downtown is full of restaurants ranging from Lanzhou Pulled Noodle joints to yellow noodle and donkey meat specialists.

 A good place to sample esoteric local cuisine is the Dunhuang Snacks Street (敦煌特色小吃街,) a strip of specialist kiosks whose boards advertise appetizing sounding fare like Cooked and Chopped Entrails.

Mutton Braised Cake (胡羊焖饼)

On the Dunhuang Snacks Street (鸣山北路敦煌特色小吃街内)

This kiosk at the north end of the Dunhuang Snacks Street serves a range of local delights including vegetarian dumplings, lamb noodles, tofu and beansprout, and qielaxi (tomato and eggplant.)

Daji Donkey Meat and Yellow Noodles (达记酱驴肉黄面馆)

Just west of the Tianrun International Hotel (天润国际大酒店西侧);

Contact Da Chunpeng (达春鹏), mob. 13893763456.

This highly rated but moderately priced local institution is a good place to try the classic Dunhuang dishes of yellow noodles and donkey meat. The restaurant’s traditional décor features murals of Asparas. Other tasty dishes - many for under RMB30 - include spicy tofu noodles.

Golden Bay Farm (金水湾农家乐)

Yangjia Bridge (first unit), 杨家桥一组;

Tel: 13993722749

Golden Bay’s specialty is agricultural produce grown on the attached farm. The delicious vegetable dishes sourced from fresh farm produce include spicy eggplant and tomato, fried bitter melon. Donkey meat is also available for incalcitrant meat eaters!

Hui Wei Zhai (回味斋)

1st Floor, 12 Mingshan Road (beside the Mogao Hotel), 鸣山路12号(莫高宾馆一楼);

Tel: 937-8842112

Close to the southern entrance to the Dunhuang Snacks Street, this well established restaurant offers a range of local fare including dumplings. The restaurant has an English speaking waitress, and Wi Fi, and will accept large parties.

IllyCafé (意利咖啡)

2, Mo Yuan Street, Dunhuang Commercial Street, just off the DUnhuang Night Market Square 墨缘街2号,(商业街南门,敦煌夜市广场中间) ;

Tel: 937-8858916, 133-0937-3881;

This café at the heart of the Commercial Street is a popular hangout of foreign travelers. Beer costs RMB10-15 and you can also binge on coffee and ice cream.

Knight Coffee (黑骑士)

First Floor, Real East Company Building, Xinjian Road (opposite the south end of Commercial Street), 新建路,房产公司综合楼一楼(商业街斜对面)

A convenient refueling stop for coffee, wifi and pastries close to the Commercial Street and Night Market.

Oasis Homemade Ice Cream (路过饮品店)

61 Dunhuang Commercial Street (just off the Night Market Square), 商业街61号;

Tel: 13830706352; Contact: Yu Hai Tao 余海涛,good English; email: oasisicecream@163.com

This little café serves delicious home made ice, yoghurts and milkshakes. Try the peanut butter ice cream. Beer is also available.

Shirley’s Café (敦煌风味餐厅)

MIngshan Road (opposite Feitian Hotel), 鸣山路飞天宾馆对面;

Tel. 937 8837078; ;contact Zhang Zhijun, mob. 18919420078

Shirleys on Mingshan Road one block from the Tianrun Hotel is an oasis of western run café culture: the place to come for your western breakfast of yoghurt and museli, banana milkshakes and pancakes.

Shunzhang Yellow Noodles Restaurant (顺张黄面馆)

Building One, BinheShijieJiayuan, Jinshan Road (near Jinshan Hotel), 金山路,滨河世纪家园1号楼(近金山宾馆);

Tel: 937 8824910

Another premium destination to enjoy the famous yellow noodles is Shunzhang which claims a history going back to the Qing dyasty.

Yang Family Restaurant (杨家庄)

Yangjia Bridge, opposite the village cultural centre (杨家桥,乡文化站对面);

Tel: 937 8833467; contact Yang Xin (杨鑫), mob. 13993703287

Yang Family Restaurant specializes in home cooking with the fresh produce making this a good place to try local vegetarian hits such as garlic fried potato and eggs with wood ear mushroom.

Yi Xian Wan Muslim Restaurant (伊祥苑清真餐厅)

2 Xinjian Road, 新建路2号;

Tel. 937 8825763

Despite its name this popular establishment offers not just Hui style muslim fare but dishes from all around China.

Yangguan Farm Restaurant (阳关农家乐)

Longle Village, Yangguan Town (阳关镇龙勒村);

Tel. 937-8601159; contact DuanHaihong (段海宏), mob. 13893762588

This restaurant among the vineyards offers a bucolic setting for a long lunch of local fare washed down by Mogao Dry Red Wine. Visitors may stay here and the restaurant also houses a local library. Opening times: 8:30-12:00, 14:30-18:00,19:30-21:30.

Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation.
Print E-mail Bookmark and Share

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)

No comments.

Add your comments...

  • User Name Required
  • Your Comment
  • Enter the words you see:   
    Racist, abusive and off-topic comments may be removed by the moderator.
Send your storiesGet more from China.org.cnMobileRSSNewsletter