Nyingchi Travel Guide
Tibet Regional Guide
Eating in Nyingchi
Apart from the traditional Tibetan food and beverage like the highland barley wine, pies and ghee tea, people in Nyingchi can also taste lots of local delicacies. As “the Jiangnan of Tibet” there grow a wide variety of fruits here: pear, peach, lemon, banana, watermelon, orange, pineapple and grapes among others.
Take the Luoba people as an example; they drink white and yellow wines. The yellow wine the locals’ favorite, is made from chicken feet grain and corn. After being distilled, it will become white wine. Their daily foodstuff is rice and corn pastes, vegetables, grilled meat and chili. On their dining table the food is divided on the average base by the hostess. The diner can get the food with their fingers directly from the container- the bamboo tube.
Additionally the most special Luoba dish is the grilled rat, which is for VIP guests only. In some remote parts of Nyingchi there live a few ethnic groups whose cuisines and dining customs are very well preserved. The Menba people use rice and barley pie as main course while the Luoba People eats handpicking rice. In east Tibet the grilled mountain rat is the best dish for guests that may scare away those from cities. Due to the humid climate, hot chili is a must on their dinner table.
1. Taking appropriate amount of ghee teas, dairy products, beef and pork help promote one’s adaptability to the plateau climate.
2. As for the new plateau arrivals, more water, fruits, no smoking and active sports like running are recommended.
3. Do not eat too much to abuse your stomach.
4. As most other parts of Tibet, the Sichuan Cuisines is the most popular. The Sichuan restaurants are even ubiquitous. Small ones are cheaper while some more expensive and better one does offer fantastic Sichuan food. Good options are “the Tan Family’s Dish”, the” Sichuan Restaurant” in the eastern part of the Shenzhen Avenue and “the Red Mansion” apposite the public security office.
5. The Sichuan restaurants in Bayi are basically opened by people from Sichuan while here one may also taste real Cantonese dishes. The local mushroom is a must for diners from outside. The Tibetan Fragrant Pig and fish from the Niyang River are really attractive too.