The Place
The lifeless remains of the ancient Kingdom of Loulan, located in Xinjiang’s Tarim Basin, are no place for drunken revelry. But inside Drunk Lou Lan restaurant, which is housed on the fifth floor of GTLand Spring Plaza, cracking a couple of ice-cold Xinjiang beers is a matter of course.
Image by Tristin Zhang/That's
Dressed in traditional Uyghur garb, female receptionists greet diners before leading them to their seats. The overall decor leaves something to be desired, with inexpensive plastic grape vines dangling from the ceiling – crude symbolism of the grape producing region. There is also a mural of the old Silk Road, which is arguably the only aesthetically-pleasing design element in Drunk Lou Lan.
The Food
Topping the recommended list of specials is the ‘naang pit grilled lamb chops’ (RMB98/288). A mixture of pepper, salt, cumin and flour is applied to the boney portions of lamb before they are baked on the inner wall of a clay oven that’s also used to bake naang. When removed from the oven, the lamb chops have a crisp, golden skin.
Image by Tristin Zhang/That's
Eaten with a blend of ground red peppers and cumin, this lamb dish will sate any carnivore’s appetite.
Another recommended dish is the popular ‘hand grasped lamb’ (RMB38/118/288), a popular steamed mutton dish consumed in Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia and Tibet that comes with a mixed sauce of sesame oil, soy sauce and vinegar.
Image by Tristin Zhang/That's
Unfortunately for those unable to read Chinese, the menu has no English, with the exception of the ‘recommended specials’ section. For Chinese patrons unfamiliar with Xinjiang fare, questions will abound even when reading the Chinese names of some dishes, and Lou Lan’s staff seem too occupied to explain what’s what.
Image by Tristin Zhang/That's
Regardless, say suannai to the waitress and get yourself a cup of appetizing Xinjiang yogurt (RMB9), which is sweetened by a smidgen of honey, to balance out the lamb grease.
The Vibe
Noisy, Drunk Lou Lan has the vibe of a typical Chinese restaurant but is much cleaner than a Lanzhou-style noodle shop. There are also private rooms on offer, with an additional service fee of RMB10 per person. A balcony for smokers can be found at the far end of the eatery.
Price: RMB80-120
Who’s going: after-work white-collars, Northerners
Good for: a meaty meal, Xinjiang eats
Nearest metro: Zhujiang New Town (GTLand Spring Plaza Exit), 3 minutes
Open daily, 11am-2pm, 5-9.30pm; see listing for Drunk Lou Lan.
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