DaMo Kaorou (Dongfanghong)

DaMo Kaorou near Dongfanghong Square in Lanzhou's Chengguan District is a Xinjiang-style barbecue restaurant in Gansu province, specialising in skewers and grilled lamb. Kaorou, meaning roasted or grilled meat, is a staple of northwestern Chinese street and restaurant dining, usually seasoned with cumin, chilli and salt and cooked over charcoal. The signature dishes are lamb skewers, the emblematic item of the genre, and grilled lamb ribs, which offer a heartier portion for sharing. The dining room is informal, with plain tables, a smoky aroma from the grill and a loud, social atmosphere that builds as the evening goes on. The restaurant opens in the afternoon, from about 16:00, and runs until midnight, so it is oriented toward dinner and late-night eating rather than lunch. Drinks commonly include beer and soft drinks, and the style of venue is typically a place where groups gather after work. Prices are moderate, with a meal generally costing about 60 to 120 yuan per person, roughly 8 to 17 US dollars, depending on how many skewers are ordered. The rating is about 4.3. Reservations are not usually taken, and diners can simply walk in, though groups on busy evenings may wait briefly for a table. Skewers are typically ordered by the dozen, and the kitchen brings them out in batches, so the meal develops gradually rather than arriving all at once. The location near Dongfanghong Square puts the restaurant in the heart of the central district, within reach of the main shopping streets. Visitors who want a casual evening out in a distinctly local style will find kaorou restaurants like this a lively option, and the Xinjiang influence adds a flavour distinct from the Hui-style noodle shops common elsewhere in the city.