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Chinese Lamb Dishes Menu

Chinese Lamb Dishes Menu

Written by Candice SongUpdated Nov. 14, 2023
Mutton Hotpot Mutton hot pot

Lamb or mutton is a less common meat in China, and is only commonly used where there are large areas of pasture, such as in Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang.

However, expensive restaurants and Muslim restaurants in larger cities throughout China can now offer lamb and mutton on the menu because of China's well-developed infrastructure.

Nutritional Value

According to traditional Chinese medicine, lamb is an excellent meat for warding off the cold and keeping warm. It has functions of warming and nourishing the 'qi' and blood, strengthening the spleen, and stimulating the appetite. Therefore, lamb is the best and most recommended meat to eat in winter.

Most Popular Chinese Lamb Dishes

There are many ways to cook lamb, including roasting, frying, deep-frying, stir-frying, stewing, smoking, boiling, and braising. The most popular Chinese lamb dishes include mutton hot pot and roasted whole lamb.

Mutton Hot Pot

Roasted Whole LambRoasted whole lamb

Mutton hot pot is the most popular and easiest way to enjoy mutton, no matter whether eaten at home or in a restaurant. It can be cooked in spicy or clear broth, including other meats and a variety of vegetables. The most popular mutton hot pot is Beijing mutton hot pot.

Roasted Whole Lamb

Roast whole lamb is Mongolia's traditional food. It has a yellow color with crispy skin and soft meat. It is popular in Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang, and can be found in major cities across China. It is a decent dish prepared for a group of people at a banquet and is served to honored guests.

Lamb Dishes

English Chinese Pronunciation Characters
Xinjiang roast whole lamb Xīnjiāng kăo quán yáng sshyin-jyang 新疆烤全羊
northeast mutton slice hot pot dōngběi shuài yángròu dong-bay shwann yang-roh 东北涮羊肉
Inner Mongolia roast mutton Ménggŭ kăoròu mnng-goo kaoww-roh 蒙古烤肉
snowflake mutton xuěhuā yángròu sshwair-hwaa yang-roh 雪花羊肉
Urumqi hand-torn mutton Wūlŭmùqí shŏu zhuā yángròu oo-loo-moo-chee shoh jwaa yang-roh 乌鲁木齐手抓羊肉
Yan'an mutton soup Yán'ān yáng xīng tāng yen-ann yang sshing tung 延安羊腥汤

Travel with China Highlights and Taste Authentic Chinese Food

Enjoying Chinese food in a local restaurantEnjoying Chinese food in a local restaurant

Want a trip to enjoy authentic Chinese food? See our recommended Chinese food tour, for inspiration:

Our tours can be customized. If you are not interested in the above tour, we at China Highlights can help you design a tailor-made tour.

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