What to Eat in Hohhot

Hohhot's delicacies have strong ethnic features. Mutton dominates the menu due to influences of the customs of herdsmen. Mutton is a must for visiting gourmets, as you can hardly find better mutton elsewhere in China.

Roasted Whole Sheep

Roasted whole sheep, a traditional and unique dish, used to be a privilege enjoyed only by Mongolian kings due to the special and complicated cooking method. Roasted whole sheep is famous not only for its quality mutton but also for its special method of preparation. The mutton, filled with various spices, is first heated at high temperatures in an airtight oven until medium-well done. Then the mutton is roasted with fire until it becomes golden. This allows the flavors of the spices to pervade the meat completely. This kind of roasted mutton is crispy but not greasy. Anyone who has tasted it will be unable to forget it.

Beizi

Beizi is a kind of local specialty and looks like a pancake but bigger and thicker and can be round, square, triangular or rectangular. It tastes crisp on the outside and soft inside with a strong wheat fragrance. It is a very popular breakfast choice.

Shouba Rou (Mutton Eaten by Hand)

Mutton Eaten by Hand is Hohhot's most famous dish. People use their hands to eat big chunks of mutton that are boiled in water and often hold the bones in one hand and use the other to pick the meat off and dip it in seasoning. This dish is often used as a treat for guests. 

All-fish Banquets

All-fish Banquets include more than 120 dishes made from unpolluted fish or shrimp from Hulun Lake. All-fish Banquets can have 12, 14, 20, 24 or even more than 100 courses made from carp, crucian, and shrimp prepared by boiling, steaming, frying, stewing, etc.

Shao-Mai (Steamed Dumplings)

Shao-mai (Steamed Dumplings) is a traditional snack that has been popular in Beijing since the Qing Dynasty, when many restaurants used to claim that their Shao-mai were from Hohhot. This is something you shouldn't miss when visiting the city. 

Milk Tea

Milk tea is a traditional Mongolian hot drink. The fresh milk is added to boiled black tea and stirred together. Salt is often added, and some people put in butter-fried rice and dairy products. The drink can soothe the stomach, quench one's thirst and help digestion. It can also be served as a soup for guests. A popular restaurant for this is "Gerile A Ma". 

Fried Millet

Fried millet is a staple food for herdsmen. First millet is fried, and then the chaff is ground. Serve with milk tea with salt or sugar. It is so savory that it has become a must for both locals and guests when tasting milk tea.

Braised Noodles

Braised noodles are popular in Shanxi, Shaanxi, Hebei, and Henan provinces and the Inner Mongolia region and are made of flour, with green beans and meat served on the side. The Hohhot style noodles are thicker and quite tasty. One of China's most famous braised noodle restaurant chain is "Tieguoyiju", with headquarters in Hohhot.