A New Friend from Xinjiang Province

One of our favorite restaurants in Dongguan specializes in Xinjiang food. Xinjiang is a province in far western China. Here the influences of the Middle East, Islam and all, combine with China hot and spicy. The food is great. Lots of Latiff's favorite, lamb and spicy tofu. I think our place is owned by a firm called Yili Spring Restaurants. There are two of these places in Dongguan. Also

some nice traditional dance. The native people from this province are called Uighur and look more arab than chinese. One of the male waiters is typical. Over the years the Chinese government has populated the province with the Han.

I have a movie clip of the dance they do each night if you want to watch.

Also if you would like more info on this province and some of its ethnic struggles recommend a book by Peter Hessler called Oracle Bones.

Although the food and atmosphere are great, the best part is one of the service managers. Her name is Chen Juan, and I swear she is one of the most beautiful women in China. She is about 26 and has been working for the same restaurant for 8 years. She is from Xinjiang. Taller than most Chinese, she moves with a special grace. She is a fine dancer and puts on a traditional dance exhibition each night with her male colleague. Recently we bumped into her and friends at KTV.

Chen Juan is on the left.