If you're planning to go to the Shitanjing old mining area in Shizuishan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, one of the filming locations for the popular Chinese flick Once Upon a Time in the Middle East, make sure you don't miss the local cuisine in Shizuishan.

People there have developed liangpi, a cold noodle dish from Northwest China, in far more creative ways than you can probably imagine. You can choose from liangpi with sesame paste, chopped pepper, pickled Chinese cabbage, and more. The classic staple is dry-mixed liangpi.

Next up is Huangquqiao stir-fried lamb, originating from Huangquqiao town, Pingluo county. Select cuts of high-quality lamb are stir-fried to achieve a slightly charred exterior, which locks in the juices while keeping the meat fresh and tender. Paired with spices, it creates a rich layer and leaves a lasting aftertaste.

Huangquqiao stir-fried lamb. [Photo/WeChat account: nxtour]

Shahu Big Fish Head is made from variegated carp from Shizuishan's Shahu Lake. The main attraction of variegated carp is its big head, which is both nutritious and delicious.

The next recommended dish is salt and pepper lamb chops, where the salty aroma of salt and pepper collides with the creamy aroma of lamb, with layers of numbness, spiciness, freshness, and fragrance.

The secret to the taste of the lamb chops lies in four steps. First, marinate them in over a dozen spices. Then stew them slowly over a low heat until they are soft and tender yet still slightly chewy. Next, some high-temperature frying locks in the meat juice. And finally, sprinkle in some salt and pepper while the food is still hot.

Salt and pepper lamb chops. [Photo/WeChat account: nxtour]