Guyuan's food culture is defined by its Hui Muslim population. Hand-pulled noodles with lamb and a dark, vinegary broth are the staple — you will find a version of this dish in virtually every small restaurant in the city. Lamb kebabs grilled over charcoal are sold from street carts in the evenings. Pork is absent from the menu across most of the city.
The central market streets near the old town have the highest concentration of small Hui restaurants, with outdoor tables in summer. For a sit-down meal, look for places advertising beef and mutton hot pot, which is a regional speciality in cold weather. Guyuan is not a city for elaborate dining, but the basic food is honest, cheap, and filling.