Yeshari

The best Xinjiang food in Shanghai still comes with impromptu bursts of song, belly dancing and fake fruit garlands.

Xibo might be making a commendable effort to change the typical Xinjiang dining experience from chaotic to classy, but it's still Yeshari the city turns to for top Xinjiang fare.

Upon arrival, the first trial is to wade through the tables of diners making meals of the da pan ji -- spicy chicken with potatoes -- and bottles of black Sinkang Beer.

Once seated, order Yeshari's freshly grilled red willow lamb kebabs -- they are some of the tastiest in Shanghai. Each skewer impales tender, spiced cubes of lamb alternating with crispy nubs of lamb fat.

“These are hands down the best lamb kebabs in Shanghai," says Zhang Hong, self-proclaimed local foodie, who has tried just about every lamb kabab in Shanghai. "I keep coming back to Yeshari for these.”

The ding ding noodles, a Xinjiang dish of finely chopped noodles sauteed with tomato and green peppers, are also stuff food legends are made of.

Another must-try are the fatty baked lamb chops. These tender baked chops typically run out in the first hour of dinner service, and always before 6:30 p.m. A little early for dinner, but these lamb chops are worth it.