Hongliuzhi Tanyang Barbecue

Hongliuzhi Tanyang Barbecue, whose name refers to tamarisk (hongliu) branches, is a dinner restaurant at 14 Wenyuan West Lane in Xingqing District, Yinchuan, the capital of China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. It specialises in Tan-sheep skewers and barbecue, grilled over tamarisk branches in a style associated with the arid northwest. Tan sheep, raised in the Ningxia plains, are valued for tender, mild meat, and the tamarisk fuel is said to give a faint, resinous smoke. The signature order is lamb skewers cooked over the branches and seasoned with cumin and chilli, together with grilled lamb chops and fried noodles to round out the meal. The kitchen is halal, in keeping with Hui Muslim cuisine in Ningxia, and alcohol is not a feature of the experience; tea and soft drinks are the usual accompaniments. The dining room has the lively, casual character of a barbecue restaurant, with groups sharing platters, smoke from the grill, and moderate to high noise at peak hours. No dress code applies. Prices are around 60 to 110 yuan per person, roughly 8 to 15 US dollars, which is higher than the offal and noodle shops but reasonable for a full lamb dinner. Service is for dinner daily, and hours should be confirmed locally. Walk-ins are welcome, and reservations through the DiDi or Dianping apps are advisable on weekends and for larger groups. Visitors can order skewers by the stick and chops by weight, which allows a table to tailor the meal. The restaurant is best approached as a social evening meal rather than a quick stop, and groups of three or four can sample more dishes. Taxis and ride-hailing apps reach Wenyuan West Lane without difficulty, and a map pin avoids confusion over the lane entrance.