Shash 沙市

Shash is not the easiest restaurant to find. The facade of Chaoyang Theater on the East Third Ring Road nods almost directly into the road from which a turn to the right down an unassuming alleyway leads to Shash, which is tucked in behind the entrance to the Saint Angel Hotel. The interior’s high ceilinged, intricately decorated and opulent interior has to be seen to be believed. Salads, noodle and rice dishes, and above all, lamb, all feature prominently on the menu – be sure to order a few mutton kebabs (also beef and chicken), along with the wonderfully crisp, tandoor-baked lamb and pumpkin puff pastries. The grilled veggie salad is another goodie, while the chajhana plov (horse meat with fried rice) is a more distinctively Uzbek specialty. Nightly singing and belly dancing performances start at 7.30pm.