Xinjiang Meat on a Stick on Hubei Lu
"Rou chuan", or "meat on a stick" for those that have spent less than a week in China, is surely one of the most popular street snacks in China. Migrants from Xinjiang province serve this quick meaty treat in cities across the country.
"Rou chuan", or "meat on a stick" for those that have spent less than a week in China, is surely one of the most popular street snacks in China. Migrants from Xinjiang province serve this quick meaty treat in cities across the country.
The best rou chuan to be found on the streets of Nanjing is at one of those places that is locally famous yet remains unknown to travellers. It is called 正宗新疆艾斯卡烧烤 (Zhengzong Xinjiang aisika shaokao). This tiny hole-in-the-wall establishment has no English name and is located on Hubei Lu, right next to Hunan Road and Lion’s Bridge. These kebabs are definitely worth a trip if you are in the Hunan Lu area.
What makes this rou chuan better than the rest is that you get more meat, less grizzle and grease, and it’s quite spicy too.
One rou chuan (one stick) costs 1 yuan, which is actually 2 or 3 times the price of the average rou chuan in Nanjing.
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How to Get There
Follow instructions to get to Lion’s Bridge (狮子桥). This section of Hubei Road (湖北路) stretches between the south entrance to Lion’s Bridge and Hunan Road (湖南路).
Second Location
There is a 2nd location in Mingwa Alley(明瓦廊).
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Slow Life Café - Mexican
Slow Life Café is another place in Nanjing that serves Chinese-American-Mexican food. That is, they serve the Chinese interpretation of Tex-Mex cuisine. Nevertheless, it’s not bad as long as you keep an open mind. It is only 10 yuan for a large Qingdao and three dece...
Slow Life Café is another place in Nanjing that serves Chinese-American-Mexican food. That is, they serve the Chinese interpretation of Tex-Mex cuisine. Nevertheless, it’s not bad as long as you keep an open mind. It is only 10 yuan for a large Qingdao and three decent sized tacos cost 30 yuan.
Slow Life sits several meters above street level on a raised sidewalk. Several comfortable outdoor tables are suitable for a cheap evening meal or a drink with friends.
How to Get There:
Slow Life Café is within walking distance of Nanjing University and several other foreign-favourites nearby such as Blue Sky and Skyways. It is quite small and the sign is not the most outstanding, but look up to the elevated sidewalk on Shanghai Road and you should be able to spot it.
Slow Life Café is within walking distance of Nanjing University and several other foreign-favourites nearby such as Blue Sky and Skyways. It is quite small and the sign is not the most outstanding, but look up to the elevated sidewalk on Shanghai Road and you should be able to spot it.
Mingwa Alley
Mingwa Alley is one of the best little streets to find an assortment of xiaochi (snack, 小吃) vendors in Nanjing. There are so many xiaochi here that an adventurous person could make an entire meal out of a wide variety of little snacks. There are a few Muslim noodle joints,...
Mingwa Alley is one of the best little streets to find an assortment of xiaochi (snack, 小吃) vendors in Nanjing. There are so many xiaochi here that an adventurous person could make an entire meal out of a wide variety of little snacks. There are a few Muslim noodle joints, several meat kebab (rou chuan, 肉串) vendors, and at least 4 places that sell roujiamo (肉夹馍).
Side view of a Roujiamo
The Xinjiang meat on a stick vendor is one of the most popular in Nanjing, and there is also a stand on Hubei Road next to Hunan Road.
While there are a few good places to purchase roujiamo, the original and arguably most delicious roujiamo is served at the stall with the big red sign. This place is run by a woman from Xi’An (西安), the original home of roujiamo. A standard roujiamo is diced pork, herbs, and hot sauce stuffed into fresh bread that has been baked in a barrel-like oven.
One of the best roujiamo vendors. This one has been around for a long time.
Tip: Be forewarned that there is no guarantee that the snacks available at Mingwa Alley are sanitary. Use your own judgment. Watch how the food is handled and prepared as well as how the vendors handle their money.
How to Get There: Mingwa Alley is located behind the Bank of China (中国银行) next to Zhongshan Nan Road (中山南路) in Xinjiekou (新街口). It also runs perpendicular to Shigu Lu (石鼓路). The alley is only about one block long. Finding the alley is quite convenient as it is very close to the Xinjiekou Subway Station.
Peking Roast Duck Restaurant
Peking Roast Duck Restaurant offers an excellent special; buy one roasted duck for 38 yuan, and receive a coupon for a free duck which can be used upon your next visit. Besides the duck itself, it is an extra 8 yuan for each order of wraps, sauce and onions. Two orders should b...
Peking Roast Duck Restaurant offers an excellent special; buy one roasted duck for 38 yuan, and receive a coupon for a free duck which can be used upon your next visit. Besides the duck itself, it is an extra 8 yuan for each order of wraps, sauce and onions. Two orders should be enough. Guests can actually stand beside the chef to witness exactly how the duck is prepared. When you are about to finish the dish, the attendant will assist you by cooking the duck a second time with a different method. Have duck soup made for free or you can choose to pay an extra 5 yuan to have the remainder of the duck fried with salt and pepper. A variety of cold dishes and hot dishes are also available.
There is an English menu available but it is strangely much shorter than the Chinese menu. Nevertheless, the servers are sure to know you are there for the duck.
During supper hours consider yourself lucky if you can get a table without a wait.
Note: According to Peking Roast Duck Restaurant employees, some of the restaurants below are owned by different owners so prices may vary a bit. All locations have the "buy 1 now, get 1 free next time" deal but the coupon must be used at that same location.
Some of the Other Locations in Nanjing
No. 41 Youfu Xi Jie (游府西街42号)
+86 (0)25 8454 9348
No. 216 West Phoenix Street (Fenghuang Xi Jie, 凤凰西街216号)
+86 (0)25 8656 1012
No. 101 Hanzhongmen Dajie (汉中门大街101号)
+86 (0)25 8655 0888
No. 6 South Da Qiao Road (大桥南路6号) (Bus routes 31, 34, 100,1 6)
+86 (0)25 8342 2878
No. 113 Yudao Jie 113, Baixia District (百下区御道街113号)
+86 (0)25 8459 2982
