西域食府：My favorite Uighur restaurant

In America, Chinese food is something I get in the mood for about once a month. I feel the same way in Beijing. I get tired of eating Chinese food twice a day, everyday. Therefore, I took it upon myself to explore not only Beijing’s western and foreign restaurants, but also those of China’s ethnic minorities.

Uighur food is DELICIOUS. After trying a few places around Beijing Normal’s campus, I was lucky enough to be introduced to Xiyu Shifu by one of my ethnically Uighur Chinese-language teachers.

Location: It’s in the Yayun Cun district, right across the from the Olympic Park, at the corner of 北辰东路与大屯路。

Recommended food:
Nan (flat bread)—don’t confuse this with Indian-style nan. It’s thicker, heartier, and piping-hot. Don’t make the mistake of ordering too much of it, it really fills you up. They can make it quickly, so order seconds after you’ve finished the first. Use it to sop up the tomato sauce from the…

大盘鸡—diced chicken, peppers, potatoes, and wonderfully thick, home-made noodles in a SPICY tomato sauce. After having this dish once, I got serious cravings for it during the rest of my time in Beijing, and had to return back to the restaurant several times.

羊肉串—I know, you can find these anywhere in Beijing. These are, by far, the best I’ve had in the city. The meat is fresh and tender. The spices are just right. My tongue is pretty much on fire because of the above dish by the time I get to eating these, so I usually don’t order them too spicy.

Yogurt drink—perfect to neutralize the dishes’ fire. The peach is my favorite flavor.

Qingdao beer—Why not?

Decor: Few decorations, pretty spartan for the most part. It’s spotlessly clean (including the bathrooms).

Price: Bill for two massive eaters came out to be 80 yuan. No credit cards.

Hours and phone number: M-Sun 7:30am-8:30pm. # 010/6486-2555