A trip to Urumqi, capital city of Xinjiang, would feel incomplete without tasting its food. From baked samosa (stuffed bun) and spicy big-plate chicken (chicken with potatoes and chili) to freshly grilled naan (traditional flatbread), the city boasts more than 50 officially recognized signature dishes alone.

Faced with such abundance, how does one pinpoint the most authentic flavors? One reliable guide is Dianping, China's leading lifestyle and review platform. Comparable to a combination of Yelp, Google Maps and Tripadvisor, the app helps diners navigate cities through millions of user reviews and ratings.

Among its many features, the most trusted is the annual Must-Eat List. This ranking is not curated casually. It is generated from hundreds of millions of verified dining reviews nationwide, earning its reputation as a definitive guide for food lovers. Following the list offers an easy way to discover local favorites. With that in mind, here is a selection of must-try spots in Urumqi.

Loulan Barbecue (Qidaowan Branch) 

Average spend per person: 84 yuan ($12)

Address: Nanhu Creative Park, Qidaowan South Road

No visit to Xinjiang feels complete without sitting down to a meal of local barbecue. At Loulan Barbecue, these familiar flavors appear in a setting that looks distinctly modern. Ethnic motifs shape the interior, while the staff uniform reflects regional traditions in subtle ways. As evening falls, folk dance performances are staged in the dining space. The experience offers a glimpse of how Xinjiang's culinary and cultural traditions continue to evolve, finding fresh life through contemporary presentation while remaining rooted in everyday practice.

Lu's Fresh Seafood (Hongshan Road Branch) 

Average spend per person: 84 yuan ($12)

Address: No.16 Hongshan Road, Shuimogou District

One unexpected highlight here is the salmon sashimi. Yes, salmon. Thanks to Xinjiang's high-quality cold-water resources and advanced aquaculture technology, what was once a deep-sea luxury has become part of everyday dining. Beyond salmon, the menu also features squid, pollock and other seafood varieties. Modern technology and market have significantly expanded the range of ingredients available in this region far from the sea.

Livant Café (Xinhua South Road Branch) 

Average spend per person: 92 yuan ($13.2)

Address: No.754 Xinhua South Road, Tianshan District

For a leisurely breakfast or afternoon tea, Livant Café stands out. Its menu blends Western and Central Asian flavors. Rich coffee paired with fresh fruit salads offers a welcome pause from a busy itinerary. This fusion is no coincidence. Xinjiang has long been a crossroads between the East and the West, and today is a key hub along the Silk Road Economic Belt. The café's international palate reflects this enduring openness.

Barikat 

Average spend per person: 13 yuan ($1.9)

Address: The intersection of Xinhua South Road and Lingguan Lane

After formal dining, the city's true character often reveals itself in small neighborhood eateries. This modest naan stall is a favorite among locals. The compact storefront is well organized and clean, with stacks of freshly baked naan showcasing the vitality of street-level commerce. Urumqi offers fair opportunities for both chain brands and family-run shops. Here, diligence is rewarded with a decent living.

Yi Tou Niu Chaoshan Beef Hotpot (Nanhu Branch) 

Average spend per person: 97 yuan ($13.9)

Address: No.66, Building C, Shuimu Qinghua, Nanhu South Road

Urumqi's food scene is not limited to Xinjiang cuisine. A Chaoshan-style beef hotpot restaurant has also earned a place on the Must-Eat List. Chaoshan, a cultural region in Guangdong Province in the south, is famous for its rich culinary heritage. One of its specialties, Chaoshan beef, is prized for its tender texture and fresh flavor, and is often served in hotpot or thinly sliced for quick cooking.

In this restaurant, the beef is remarkably tender, rivaling that of the Chaoshan region itself. Its popularity reflects Urumqi's multicultural makeup. As a modern metropolis where multiple ethnic groups live side by side, the city welcomes flavors from across the country. Such diversity is part of everyday life.

Due to space constraints, this guide highlights only a handful of options. Urumqi's culinary universe is far more expansive. From regional snacks across China to flavors from around the world, almost any taste imaginable can be found in the city. Urumqi welcomes visitors with food that is generous, diverse and deeply satisfying. The best way to understand it is to come and taste it firsthand.