14 Incredibly Flavorful Uyghur Recipes Everyone Needs To Try (2024)

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14 Incredibly Flavorful Uyghur Recipes Everyone Needs To Try? ›

1. Uyghur Polo / Pilaf. Known throughout Central Asia as “rice pilaf”, Uyghur polo is a tasty mix of rice, carrots and lamb meet slow cooked in oil. It is without a doubt that Uyghur polo is the most popular local dish in Xinjiang.

1. Uyghur Polo / Pilaf. Known throughout Central Asia as “rice pilaf”, Uyghur polo is a tasty mix of rice, carrots and lamb meet slow cooked in oil. It is without a doubt that Uyghur polo is the most popular local dish in Xinjiang.

The cuisine is characterized by ingredients like roasted mutton and beef, as well as kebab and rice dishes. Traditionally, specific dishes like polo are eaten with one's bare hands instead of with utensils like spoons, forks or chopsticks. Signature dishes include polo, läghmän and nan.

Uyghur food is highly nutritious and well balanced

The Uyghur people pay serious attention to their health and value a healthy diet, which is believed to have a significant role in maintaining fitness.

In many ways, the cuisine in Xinjiang differs from the rest of the country and is distinctly non-Chinese. Roasted mutton, thickly fragrant spices, and sugary sweet desserts take centre stage when it comes to its signature dishes.

Pork dominates China's meat market. In 2022, it took up more than 50 percent of the domestic meat consumption. China is by far the world's largest pork producer, consumer, and importer.

Pork, alcohol forbidden

"Muslims like us, the Uyghurs, the Hui, and the Kazakhs, don't do that," Kesay said. "But people have been sticking up New Year poetic couplets at the doors of Uyghur and Kazakh households, and giving them pork."

The pig is a symbol of virility, and so pork is used as a strengthening food for pregnant woman and new mothers. For an interesting appetiser, try pig's ear. The ear is cooked, then sliced very thinly, and perhaps served with slivers of young ginger and soy sauce.

Known to the Chinese as Xiyu (“Western Regions”) for centuries, the area became Xinjiang (“New Borders”) upon its annexation under the Qing (Manchu) dynasty in the 18th century. Westerners long called it Chinese Turkistan to distinguish it from Russian Turkistan.

Apart form those mentioned above, Hami dates, Yecheng pomegranates, Kashgar figs, Kucha flat peaches and mulberries are well-known special products in Xinjiang. With the development of advanced technology, people can enjoy the delicious melons and fruit all year round.

Is Xinjiang and Uyghur same? ›

The Uyghurs are recognized as the titular nationality of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in Northwest China. They are one of China's 55 officially recognized ethnic minorities.

Uyghurs have developed a unique culture due to their long history and role as traders and connectors between different civilisations. They have made significant contributions to Asian literature, medicine, architecture, music, song, dance, and fine arts.

Pork dominates the meat menu in China. The 57 million tons of pork consumed in China in 2021 accounted for 60 percent of total meat consumption.

In north, people ate wheat in the form of dumplings, pancakes or noodles. While in south, staple food of people was rice. People who lived close to the river ate fish as well. The majority of the people in Ancient China were peasant farmers.