One of my favourite places in town is the Mongolian barbecue restaurant located in Xiang Mi Hu called Da Cao Yuan. The Friday Night Dinner Club, a dining club that I run, makes frequent stops to this location for its cool atmosphere, reasonable prices and delicious food. If you get there early enough you’ll be able to book a private Mongolian tent to dine in for an added experience. Keep in mind though, Mongolian food is loaded up with lamb. If you don’t like it, this might not be the place for you.

The first thing you should try is the Asian salad. It includes lots of leafy greens as well as small radishes, tomatoes, bell peppers, and peanuts. For an appetizer, you can try the lamb on a stick (Yang Rou Chuanr), which is maybe the best in Shenzhen. Next, the thin sliced beef is served cold and has a very nice flavour. Another thing you should try is the mashed potatoes. They aren’t as fluffy as their American equivalent, but they have a good flavour and are mixed with bits of lamb and a clear gravy. The fried corn triangles should also not be missed. They’re very chewy, crunchy, and delicious.

Now onto the main attraction, the lamb. One choice is the ribs. They come in a nice pile served with lots of cumin and other spices rubbed on the outside. Another fun option – if you don’t mind digging a little deeper into your wallet – is ordering a whole lamb. We will often just order the legs, which are huge.

I’m sure you’ll enjoy your dinner at Da Cao Yuan. Remember to save the lamb leg bones for your dog if you have one.

Check out the address and contact info for Da Cao Yuan here.