Exploring Dunhuang: A Chinese Food Adventure in the Desert
Dunhuang, a remote Chinese city nestled in the Gobi Desert, offers a dramatic landscape. Despite the occasional sandstorm, the city's vibrant culture and delicious food scene continue to thrive, attracting tourists eager to experience its unique offerings.
Experiencing a Dunhuang Sandstorm
A recent visit to Dunhuang coincided with a sandstorm, reducing visibility and coating everything in sand. Despite the weather, the night market remained open, beckoning visitors with the promise of tasty treats. The unusually late sunset, a result of Western China's single time zone, added to the surreal atmosphere.
Shazhou Night Market: A Tourist Hotspot
The Shazhou Night Market is a popular destination, bustling with tourists eager to sample local and national snacks. These markets are common in Chinese cities, offering a variety of regional specialties.
Sampling Local Delicacies
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Desert Potatoes: The first food sampled was "desert potatoes," topped with spicy salt. Despite their name, they tasted like ordinary soggy baked potatoes, earning a low rating of 2 out of 10, with the chili salt being the only redeeming feature.
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Dunhuang Apricots: Next, the renowned Dunhuang apricots were tasted. The apricot was very sweet and juicy. The variety in the region's fruit scene, especially as one travels further northwest, is abundant and delicious.
A Moment of Confusion
The reviewer humorously recounted a moment of confusion, mistaking a human vendor for a mannequin or robot, highlighting the unique and sometimes surreal atmosphere of the market.
Xing Pi: A Local Apricot Drink
Xing Pi, a drink made from Dunhuang apricots, was a highlight. The drink was sweet with a slight Coca-Cola taste, refreshing, and perfect for the hot weather.
Queuing for Shatong Yo Rou Bing (Beef Pie)
The market also featured arts and crafts and camel merchandise. A long queue indicated a popular food stall selling Shatong Yo Rou Bing. The reviewer waited for approximately 30 minutes to buy one. Shatong is a variety of fragrant green onion grown in the desert of Northwest China with medicinal benefits.
The pie was described as crispy and flavorful, with the shatong adding a delicious oniony taste. It was definitely worth the wait.
Exploring More Food Options
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Huosha: A dish featuring braised mutton on a bed of red onions and peppers, covered in pancakes and drizzled with sauce.
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Fiery Grilled Fish: Another vendor was grilling fish over an open flame, creating a visually impressive display. This caught the reviewer's attention.
The Fiery Fish: A Culinary Triumph
The grilled fish, after a 30-minute wait, proved to be a culinary triumph. The skin, infused with chili, garlic, and other spices, was a standout. Pickled bamboo shoots provided a refreshing sourness to balance the spicy and savory flavors. The combination of deep-fried taste and barbecue char made the skin exceptionally delicious. The reviewer was so full but had no regrets.
Final Thoughts on Dunhuang and Recommendations
The reviewer recommends the Dunhuang night market despite its touristy nature. The unique and interesting dishes are worth exploring.
Due to camera malfunction, the Rainbow Mountains were enjoyed without filming, proving to be even more beautiful in person than expected. In Jiayuguan, Mala Tong is highly recommended. Overall, the trip to Gansu was a wonderful adventure with amazing food and scenery.
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