Shengze Brand Red Date and Goji Juice. The “Shengze” brand red date and goji juice beverage has an annual production of 5,000 tons. It is made primarily from high-quality small red dates from Linze and goji berries from Ningxia, among other ingredients, and is refined using a modern scientific formula. The “Shengze” brand red date and goji juice is rich in carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, minerals, and vitamin C from the red dates…
Chicken Roll Dumplings are made by kneading dough with salted cold water and repeatedly pressing and working it until the dough becomes soft. The dough is then cut and rolled into round strips, coated with clear oil, and stacked layer by layer in a container. When cooking, the strips are rolled between both palms in a circular motion to make them round and elongated. They are named so because they resemble chicken intestines. …
Xiao Fan rolls the dough into thin sheets as thick as an ancient copper coin, cuts them into small squares, boils them in beef broth, seasons with pepper and other spices, then adds diced beef. The dish is completed with translucent wheat gluten sheets, cooked red beans, and more.
The white-flowered reeds (with a small amount of purple-flowered reeds) grown as a specialty in Zhangye grow rapidly, with thick stalks, tall plants, dense stands, strong fiber toughness, and high quality. A large quantity of reed leaves are transported to other regions to be used as palm leaf sheath. Located on the northwestern frontier, Zhangye boasts abundant water sources everywhere—you could say streams flow melodiously and rivers crisscross the land—resulting in lush growth of reeds along lakeshores and riverbanks…
The red dates from Xiaoh Township in Zhangye turn entirely reddish-brown when ripe. They are small in size but have fine, dense flesh that is sweet with tiny pits, and are highly nutritious. In addition to being eaten fresh, they are dried and used for cooking congee or making sweets. These dates are rich not only in sugars, proteins, and fats, but also contain higher levels of calcium and phosphorus compared to most fruits, especially a large amount of iron — making them an excellent tonic for blood enrichment. They help invigorate qi, nourish blood, support kidney health, and calm the nerves, and can treat various conditions caused by deficiency and fatigue, thus holding certain medicinal value. These red dates keep well over time, rarely attract insects, and are suitable for both fresh and dried consumption.
Lamb with Pancake Strips Gansu’s Shandan has long been known for its abundant sheep, and the ways of preparing lamb here are also quite unique. Lamb with pancake strips is one of them. The stewed pancake strips are best made with lamb from young sheep. The meat is cut into chunks, then stir-fried in hot oil until about 80% cooked. Seasonings are added along with an appropriate amount of water for braising. Meanwhile, prepared dough is rolled out, brushed with oil, sprinkled with scallions, and rolled into strips about two fingers wide...
Stir-fried Skillet gets its name from the cooking action. A cast-iron griddle is set up, and chopped lamb liver, lungs, stomach, intestines, heart, and other ingredients are sautéed with seasonings such as scallions and garlic sprouts. The dish is cooked over a fierce flame using firewood or coal, and served hot once ready. Stir-fried Skillet is best enjoyed in winter—spicy and numbing to just the right degree, rich yet not greasy, with a smoky charred flavor. Eaten straight from the pan as it’s being cooked, it’s a deliciously…
Twisted Treasures are made by steaming nearly ripe barley or wheat ears, then rubbing them while hot to remove the awns and husks. The grains are subsequently ground using a small hand-cranked mill, resulting in a strip-like product that is a mix of green and white, twisted together in strands — hence the name "Twisted Treasures." They are seasoned with salt, mashed garlic, and topped with a drizzle of scallion-infused oil. Soft yet not sticky, chewy but not tough, they offer a delicious aroma, vibrant color, and pleasant texture. …
Millet pancake is made from yellow millet or millet flour, with yellow millet being the best choice. First, finely ground millet flour is mixed with an appropriate amount of water to form a batter. Then, a flat-bottomed earthenware pan is heated over a flame and greased. Once the oil is hot and fragrant, the batter is evenly spread in the pan and cooked over low heat for a short time before serving. Sprinkle with sugar before eating—it is golden-yellow, soft, and sweet with a fragrant aroma, loved by both the old and young…
Shandan Military Horse Farm and the surrounding areas of Shandan and Minle are the main rapeseed-producing regions in Zhangye, with an annual planting area of over 300,000 mu and a total output of about 70 million kilograms. Zhangye rapeseed is a dwarf variety with a short growing period, high oil yield, clear oil quality, and pure aroma, making it the region’s primary cooking oil. While meeting local market demand,…
Hair moss: Primarily produced in Ershilipu Village of Weiqi Township, Fan Ying Village of Chenhu Township, Laojun Township, and Xiakou Village of Laojun Township…
is a renowned birthplace of the Shandan Horse.…
Two layers of dough are sandwiched with brown sugar in between, shaped into Buddha's hand form, then deep-fried until golden—crispy, fragrant, sweet, and crunchy. The Shandan specialty fried pastry consists of two layers of dough with a layer of brown sugar in the middle, shaped like a Buddha’s hand, and deep-fried to perfection—crisp, aromatic, sweet, and crunchy...
The method of kneading the dough, rolling it out, and cutting it into strips is basically the same as that for搓鱼子 (Twisted Fish Noodles). The difference is that the square-shaped noodles are cut into small square pieces, and then the fleshy part of the right thumb is used to press each piece into a small hollow shaped like an ear. The taste is different from that of搓鱼子. (Zhangye…)
Licorice can harmonize various herbs and is known as “Yin Lao” in traditional Chinese medicine, earning the prestigious title of the “King of Herbs.” Scientific research has shown that licorice can help prevent ulcers, reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, suppress the central nervous system, relieve pain, and even exhibit anti-tumor effects. With the advancement of science and technology, the uses of licorice have become increasingly diverse. Refined from its raw materials, licorice cream...
Thick porridge is made by adding thin slices of lamb or beef to a clear broth of the same meat, along with tofu, mung bean starch sheets, and gluten. The broth is thickened with starch and seasoned with salt, chopped scallions, and garlic. Crumbled fried dough twists are then broken into small pieces and added to the soup, where they soften and blend in. This dish is served and enjoyed as it simmers, offering a fragrant and delicious taste that is beloved by the people of Zhangye as a local specialty. …
Liugu Village, Nangu Township: Famous for its mysterious rocks. The Auspicious Rock of Liugu, also known as the Gushing Rock of Liugu, the Strange Rock of Liugu, or the Primeval Rock of Liugu.
Minle beer barley is light yellow in color, free from disease spots, moldy smell, or other off-odors. It has a high germination rate, high thousand-kernel weight, and low protein content. Certified by the Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences in 1990, it meets national first-class standards. The annual planting area reaches 150,000 mu, with a yield of 75 million kilograms. Provided by "Western Style" (…
Garlic is one of the specialties of Minle and has been cultivated for over two thousand years, earning it the reputation as the “Hometown of Garlic.” Minle purple skin garlic is known for its large size, plump cloves, juicy texture, spicy flavor, and easy-to-peel skin. In the past, due to its remote location and poor trade connections, it was grown only in the suburbs of Hongshui and in limited quantities, mostly for personal consumption or as gifts...
Originally from the Yanbian region of Jilin Province, it is a hybrid of apple and pear. Introduced to Minle in 1968, the apple-pear underwent a qualitative transformation in Minle’s unique natural cradle — its sandy soil, abundant sunlight, and large diurnal temperature variations. These factors gave rise to its distinctive flavor, characterized by vibrant color, glossy skin, thin peel, tender flesh, crisp texture...