Geng Sangqu Treasure Meal Bar

Geng Sangqu Treasure Meal Bar is a restaurant in the core of Xiahe town, very near Labrang Monastery, in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu province, China. It specialises in Tibetan and Sichuan cuisine and is on the Family Planning Commission Walking Street, next to Labrang Elementary School. Xiahe is a high-altitude monastery town at around 2,900 metres, and Labrang Monastery, one of the great Gelug monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism, draws pilgrims and visitors year-round. The restaurant offers a choice between Tibetan flavours and the spicier, more familiar Sichuan stir-fries that many Chinese travelers prefer, which makes it practical for mixed groups. It is a casual restaurant rather than a chef-led or award-winning venue, so no Michelin or lineage context applies. Signature dishes include Tibetan momo, the steamed or fried dumplings that are a staple of the plateau, Sichuan stir-fries, which are quick-cooked dishes with chili, garlic and ginger, and yak dishes, in which the lean, slightly sweet meat is stewed, stir-fried or served in soups. Diners can combine a Tibetan item such as momo with a Sichuan dish for a varied meal. The dining room is simple and welcoming, with a moderate noise level, no dress code and a mix of local residents, domestic visitors and international travelers. There is no notable wine programme, and drinks are tea, soft drinks, butter tea and beer where available. The restaurant is in the $$ price band, which is moderate for the area and a little above a basic noodle shop because of the meat dishes. Payment is by cash or Alipay. Reservations are not required, so there is no booking difficulty, and walk-in dining is the norm. The location on a walking street in the town center makes it easy to reach on foot from the monastery and from most guesthouses, and visitors often come here for a hot meal after walking the kora, the circumambulation route around the monastery. Because yak meat can be rich, those unfamiliar with it may wish to order it alongside a vegetable stir-fry. Visitors who prefer lighter meals can focus on momo and vegetable dishes.