🍽️ Hand-grabbed Mutton

Plateau mutton boiled plain, original flavor.

Hand-grabbed mutton is a representative dish of Xining and Qinghai's pastoral areas. Plateau sheep or lamb is cooked simply in water with salt, Sichuan pepper and ginger, few seasonings allowed to dominate. Served in large pieces and eaten by hand, hence hand-grabbed. The meat is original-flavored, tender and nearly gamey-free, dipped in salt-pepper or garlic-vinegar. Qinghai versions prize ingredient and timing, clear broth, fresh meat, fat without greasiness. A centerpiece for guests and festivals, best eaten hot and by hand, paired with a bowl of barley or wheat porridge, warming and deeply filling on the plateau.