Sun Ji Fried Pao
This is a fried pao shop that locals in Zhangye have been eating at since childhood. If you did some research before coming to Zhangye, you must have seen Sun Ji Fried Pao at the top of the list! Some say that if you haven't eaten a bowl of Sun Ji Fried Pao, you haven't really been to Zhangye. Fried pancake is a specialty of Zhangye, also known as fried pancake noodles. The dough is shaped into a round stick as thick as chopsticks, then cut into inch-long pieces, boiled in hot water, stir-fried with vegetables, and topped with braised meat before serving! Tip: On average, you have to wait 40 minutes for a meal.
Miao's Clay Pot Rolled Chicken
Apart from Chao Pao, another famous specialty food in Zhangye is Rolled Chicken. Located in the wheat-producing northwest region, both dishes have a strong northwest character and are mainly made from flour. In Zhangye, there are countless shops making Rolled Chicken, and Miao's Clay Pot Rolled Chicken is truly well-known. Rolled Chicken is actually made by stir-frying with seasonings, then adding chicken broth, and finally putting in noodle-like rolls, drizzling with rich chicken juice. It is said that the soup contains noodles, the noodles contain meat, and the taste is slightly mild.
Wu Ji Cuo Yu
Before talking about the shop, let's talk about Cuo Yu noodles. Cuo Yu noodles are a unique type of noodle in Zhangye, named because they are thick in the middle and pointed at both ends, resembling small fish. The method of making them involves rolling the noodles into segments about an inch long with the palm of your hand, then putting them into a pot to either boil or stir-fry until cooked. In hot weather, they can be eaten cold after mixing, making them a favorite dish among locals. Upon entering Wu Ji Cuo Yu, you can see the antique-style signboard. The shop mainly offers two flavors of Cuo Yu: stir-fried Cuo Yu and stir-fried vegetable Cuo Yu, both priced at 11 yuan. Fried fish slices are pan-fried and can be eaten directly; stir-fried fish slices are boiled fish slices that are pan-fried and can be mixed and eaten by yourself.
Yuan Ji Xiao Fan
This dish, as one of the characteristic breakfasts of Zhangye, is called 'Xiao Fan' (small rice), but it is actually noodle pieces the size of rice grains. Topped with beef gravy, slices of beef, tofu leaves, and chopped green onions, a fragrant bowl of Xiao Fan will energize you for the whole day.
Yuerfen
Yuerfen is a snack made from fine soybean flour. It is shaped like small fish and served with seasonings and side dishes, resembling little fish swimming in the bowl. It has a cool taste, similar to cold noodles, and can both satisfy hunger and relieve heat. It is an authentic summer delicacy.
