Cuisine is an important name card of this city. In the most western cities in China, Kashgar is famous for its wonderful, diversified and delicious local cuisine. Kashgar is known as a hub of communication and exchange for different cultures and civilizations, while the city's cuisine reflects the cooking styles of different ethnic groups in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Different ethnic groups in Xinjiang have different cooking and eating styles. According to the local survey the largest population in Kashgar (more than 90 percent), Uygur food dominates the city. The food is characterized by mutton, beef, chicken, carrots, tomatoes, peppers, onions and other dairy foods. Many Uygur dishes are influenced by other ethnic groups in both Xinjiang and central Asia, and popular local dishes are welcomed by both local residents and travelers.
Kavap is served with naan (baked flatbread), samsa (fried or baked dumpling) or polu (grabbed food). Naan is a staple food that can be found in both Xinjiang and Central Asia. Naan resembles pita bread, and is made up of sesame seeds, butter, milk, vegetable oil, salt and sugar. The food is cooked in a tandoor and can be eaten directly or served with meat or other vegetables. Naan shops are seen on every street and are a daily food for locals.Samsa is fried or baked dumplings, filled with potatoes, onions, mutton or beef. They are usually considered appetizers or snacks for locals, and can provide an energy boost after hours of wandering the streets or shopping in bazaars. There are many other popular snacks and food in Kasghar, such as poxkal (sliced seedcake), Sangza (crispy fried wheat flour dough twists) and Yutaza (steamed multi-layer bread). The local Han residents also created the Dapanji (Plate Chicken), a food filled with spicy chicken, potatoes and peppers served on a big plate, and flat hand-pulled noodles will be added after the chicken is eaten. Kashgar is a city filled with delicious foods and tasty snacks.
Kashgar is a big family that welcomes everyone. In the restaurants and luncheonettes, delicious Kashgar food is served and local residents, both Uygur and Han, sit together to enjoy the food table by table. Food is not only a business card for Kashgar to show its hospitality and diversity to visitors, but also ties of friendship and brotherhood connecting different ethnic groups in the city.
