XINJIANG- Xinjiang province, located in the northwest of China, is a land of diverse cultures and rich cuisine traditions.

The cuisine of Xinjiang reflects the region’s various ethnic groups, and refers particularly to Uyghur cuisine. Because of the Islamic population, the food is predominantly halal.

Among the delicious foods in Xinjiang, Samsa is a very famous one.

Samsas are fried or baked dumplings, filled with potatoes, onions, mutton or beef. They are usually considered appetizers or snacks for locals, and can provide an energy boost after hours of wandering the streets or shopping in bazaars.  

Samsa, Xinjiang Uyghur baked bun, is actually a fairly common snack that you can find throughout central Asia.

In Xinjiang, Samsa is generally cooked in tanur (a traditional Uygur super-hot wood fire oven). When cooked in tanur, the shell is nicely browned, and the filling cook through completely.

In Hotan City, in the southern part of Xinjiang, many citizens start their day with baked Samsa. Filled with mutton, broth, and onions, the baked buns together with tea have become standard breakfast for many Hotan resident.

A restaurant there sells more than 3000 baked Samsas a day.

You can also find delicious Samsa in the Uygur restaurants in other parts of China, such as Beijing.

Photo: A man sells Samsa in Bazaar in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang (By Mahnaz Abdi)