Diqing Dining

There are many reasons why a person travels, but when you’re n Diqing, one of the things you should never miss out is the food. It’s simply a smorgasbord of flavors, cultures, religious beliefs, as well as celebration of the bountiful natural resources within the area.

The Different Cuisines

Because Diqing is mainly populated by Tibetans, it’s safe to say that the dishes here are Tibetan. Nevertheless, one also has to take into account that the prefecture belongs to Yunnan Province, which has its own broad cuisine. Moreover, the province, and thus the prefecture, sits close to Sichuan, with Chengdu being recognized as one of the gastronomic capitals in the world. Simply put, when you’re in Diqing, you taste not only the best flavors of Tibet but also those of mainland China, especially Yunnan and Sichuan.

Let’s begin our dining discussion with Tibetan cuisine. The recipes that have been passed on from generation to generation are greatly inspired by the surroundings they are in. The plateaus, which are several thousand miles above sea level, are usually not the most amazing places to grow a variety of vegetables because of the cold temperatures. Thus, most of the dishes of Tibet are heavy on meat, especially yak, as well as dairy. They also make sure that they can make the most of the parts of the animal, so even their soups have entrails or organs of the animal. These make for hearty meals, which are great in fighting off the coldness.

Aside from meat, they are also fond of growing wheat and barley. The latter is the main ingredient for a staple and favorite food among Tibetans called tsampa. This is basically flour that is created from roasting barley. It is then rolled and dipped in yak butter and milk. It can be time-consuming and messy, but it’s definitely delicious and filling.

Some restaurants have learned to customize the Tibetan recipes and flavors to make them more familiar to the taste buds of travelers. Hence, you can come across burgers and full set meals with yak or mutton as the main ingredients. During winters, the meats are often hung in a dry place for air drying.

For the drinks, the Tibetans are famous for their barley wine and yak butter tea. The latter is actually yak butter that is combined with some salt and black tea. Moreover, like the Chinese dishes, the Tibetans also have their own version of dumplings called momo. They can be filled with vegetables and meats of choice. One may also want to try their very own version of yogurt, which appear more solid than the regular ones you see in supermarkets.

Although most of those who live in Diqing are Tibetans, they are also Chinese, who are also eager to share their own dining culture, specifically Yunnan and Sichuan. For a lot of people, Sichuan is all about spice. This could be because chili and peppers (like Sichuan pepper) figure prominently in the recipes, but there are also some special and popular dishes that are not hot at all. Instead, they border on sweet and pungent. The Sichuan dishes, nevertheless, reflect the evolution of food preparation and cooking that began during the era of the Three Kingdoms. Like the Tibetans, the dishes can also be heavy on meat since they are not fond of using seafood. However, their meat options are broader as they have dishes that are based on chicken or beef.

On the other hand, the Yunnan Province is one of the most highly diversified places in the country, and thus, there’s no definite way to describe their cuisines. Nevertheless, whatever the region offers is a clear display of every group’s uniqueness and influence on one another. The jidou liangfen has similarities to Tibetan dishes since this is made of gram flour. Rice cakes are also a fixture among restaurants in Tibet regions. 

Where to Dine

Most of the popular dining places are found in Shangri-La. These include the following:

Arro Khampa: A restaurant run by foreign couple, Arro Khampa offers an eclectic mixture of Tibetan and French cuisines. Adding to its charm is the building where it’s located: a former Tibetan home. It serves from breakfast until dinner, as well as accepts reservations. If you’re looking for a more laid-back night life, you can dine in here. Some of the best dishes they offer is a hot pot of yak meat and baked yak meat. (Address: 27 Jinlongjie, Shangri-La County, Diqing)

Momos: If you can’t get enough of the dumplings from Tibet, then you better dine at Momos, since it serves a wide array of the dumplings in different flavors. The restaurant can also give you a comprehensive list of Sichuan dishes. (Address: Old Town, Shangri-La County, Diqing)

Soyala Tibetan Diner and Lounge: It’s one of the best places to get a fantastic serving of a yak burger. The patty is perfectly cooked and extremely delicious you can forget the fact that you’re actually eating yak meat. It can then be served with some salad and a bottle of specially brewed Shangri-La beer. Further, what makes it extra special is the people behind it; they were once kids of an orphanage in the area.  (Address: No. 1 Cangfang Street, Shangri-La County, Diqing)

Tara’s Gallery Café: The café is highly prized for its ambiance—it’s cozy and relaxing, something that you will surely look forward to after a day of riding buses, walking, and visiting the best places in the region. It serves Tibetan and Chinese dishes, but it also tries to appeal to the other people’s tastes by having Western and other Asian menus. When you get here, you can be personally entertained by the owner. (Address: House 29, Shangri-La County, Diqing)

Black Pottery Coffee: Their specialties are definitely coffee, but they also give several types of teas, even those that are prepared Tibetan style. They are then complemented by delicious pastries and other light fare choices. One of the reasons to visit here too is to talk to the owners, as they provide tours.

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