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Ruoergai is primarily populated by Tibetans and Qiangs, so the cuisine is a mix of Tibetan, Qiang, and Sichuan dishes. Aside from Langmusi Town and Ruoergai County, there are few restaurants in other tourist areas, so it's best to bring some dry food along the way, as lunchtime meals can be difficult to find. Restaurants are easily found along Ruoergai County's main commercial street and Shambhala Street, while Langmusi Town has only one main street, making food distribution more concentrated.
Yogurt is a favorite food of the Tibetan people. During the famous Shoton Festival (held in late June or early July of the Tibetan calendar each year), Tibetans often drink yogurt while watching Tibetan opera, hence the Shoton Festival, also known as the Yogurt Festival. This demonstrates the importance of yogurt to the Tibetan people. Therefore, when visiting Tibet, you must try yak yogurt.
Plain yogurt is very sour and may not be suitable for the general public's taste, so remember to add more sugar.
A traditional Tibetan dish, fried noodles are mixed with butter tea, curds, and sugar. They're high in calories and a classic plateau delicacy. If you're used to eating them, they're also a great snack to take with you on your travels.
Yak is a staple meat in Tibetan areas, and you can usually choose between yak hotpot or a plate of thinly sliced yak meat dipped in chili peppers. Yak in hotpot is chewy, while the chili dip is perfect for enjoying with highland barley wine.
Highland barley wine has a slightly sour taste and a rich mouthfeel, followed by a sweet aftertaste, and the aroma of the wine will linger in the throat for a long time. However, if you buy a well-brewed highland barley wine, the bitterness is almost hard to taste.
Ruoergai is nestled in the Yellow River Basin, so a trip here wouldn't be complete without tasting some Yellow River fish. Naked Yellow River carp is a local delicacy, its meat tenderizing and flavorful, while cold-water fish is prepared in a typical Sichuan style, with a broth base rich in fresh peppercorns for a numbing and refreshing experience.
This is one of the most popular Tibetan restaurants in Ruoergai County, catering to mainland Chinese palates. While not authentic, it still offers a taste of Tibetan cuisine. The owner, a Tibetan doctor before opening the restaurant, emphasizes health and well-being, leading to a high price point. The restaurant's most distinctive feature is its collection of Tibetan antiques, a true feast for the eyes.
Address: Hexibu Tourism Ranch Hall, Ruoergai County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province
Contact: (0837) 2296789
Business hours: 9:00-00:00
Getting there: Walk about 200 meters north from the Dazangguge Dynasty Hotel
Reference price: about 150-200 yuan per person
This is a beef offal restaurant that is very popular with locals. The food is well made and not too strong. The beef offal soup is delicious and you can also try the red oil dumplings. The food is served quickly, but the environment is not very good.
Address: Shuguang Road, Ruoergai County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province
Getting there: Walk west along Shuguang Road from Dazha Temple Primary School to Jianshe North Street and turn left.
Reference price: Beef offal soup pot 65 yuan
The fish caught from the Yellow River has very tender meat and the soup is delicious, but it has a lot of small bones, so be careful when eating.
Address: Jiuqu Road, Tangke Town, Ruoergai County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province
Contact: 15828857377
Transportation: Charter a car from Ruoergai County. It is recommended to visit during the Yellow River's Nine Bends.
Reference price: Average per capita consumption is approximately RMB 50
This Western-style restaurant, fused with Tibetan cuisine, boasts a pleasant atmosphere, with notes from backpackers around the world adorning its walls. Their signature dishes include the yak burger, a rare find elsewhere. Their apple pie is also renowned, though it's a fairly standard dessert. Overall, the prices are reasonable.
Address: Langmusi Town, Luqu County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province
Contact: (0941) 6671179
Transportation: There is a shuttle bus from Ruoergai County to Langmusi at 14:30 every day.
Reference prices: Apple pie 10 yuan, yogurt 6 yuan, fruit 10 yuan, grilled chicken wings 20 yuan/pair, hot dishes 40 yuan
His most famous original dish is stone-cooked lamb, which is made by putting lamb into a lamb stomach and then stuffing it with hot stones to cook it. After eating, the lamb stomach can be taken back and processed into another dish, such as stir-fried lamb stomach with scallions, so nothing is wasted.
Address: Langmusi Town, Luqu County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province
Contact: (0941) 8255666; (0941) 8222922
This is a famous Sichuan restaurant in Langmusi Town. If you're not used to Tibetan food or Western restaurants, this is the place to try it. I highly recommend the braised yak beef and fish head tofu soup. And, even in the highlands, you can enjoy cooked rice. It's truly moving!
Address: Langmusi Town, Luqu County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province
Reference price: about 50 yuan per person
The main dish is Yunnan cuisine, but you can also order a variety of home-style dishes. The signature "Lao Milk Potato" is especially good. The mashed potatoes absorb the flavor of the ingredients better and release the potato flavor better. They are soft and melt in your mouth, making them a great addition to any meal.
Address: Langmusi Town, Luqu County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province