Meng Ji Snack Shop (Meng Ji Xiaochi)

Meng Ji Snack Shop, or Meng Ji Xiaochi, is a small eatery on Huimin Lane, off Wenhua East Street and beside the old No. 2 Middle School, in Xingqing District, Yinchuan, the capital of China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. It is known for cold skin noodles, called liang pi or niang pi in the local dialect, a chilled dish of wheat or rice-flour noodle strips tossed with vinegar, chilli oil, garlic and sesame. The dish is a northwestern Chinese staple and an especially popular cooling snack in summer. The menu also includes lamb pie, a warm filled pastry, and noodle soup for cooler weather. The shop follows Hui Muslim practice, so the food is halal and alcohol is not served. The room is small and informal, with simple tables and a short menu, and the atmosphere is local, relaxed and quick; no dress code applies. Prices are very low at about 10 to 25 yuan per person, which is roughly 1 to 4 US dollars, and a visitor can eat well for the price of a bottle of water in many countries. Lunch and early evening are the serving periods, and hours should be confirmed locally. Reservations are not taken. Customers order at the counter and find a seat, and arriving before 12:00 or after 1:30PM for lunch avoids the busiest period, particularly during school lunch hours given the neighbouring school. Because the location is on a side lane, a map app pin is helpful. The shop suits travellers seeking an inexpensive vegetarian-leaning option, though the broth and some toppings may include lamb, so those with dietary restrictions should ask when ordering. Pairing cold skin noodles with a lamb pie gives a balanced snack lunch that is representative of everyday eating in Yinchuan.