The rice pilaf prince of Shekou: A delicious detour off the beaten path

Shekou is a comfort blanket. It’s a wonderful, welcoming corner of the world where you’re never more than five minutes away from a perfect latte or a pizza that tastes like home. We expats flock here for that very reason. But after you’ve settled in, a little voice starts to whisper. It’s a voice that craves adventure and wonders about the incredible, authentic flavors that lie beyond the familiar bubble.

So, you can imagine my delight when I stumbled upon Poloking Bistro, a place that felt like the perfect bridge between worlds: a small, effortlessly cool bistro specializing in the hearty, fragrant lamb pilaf dishes of Xinjiang in northwestern China.

This isn’t your typical, brightly lit noodle shop. The vibe is decidedly modern and relaxed, with rustic concrete walls, eclectic decor, and a corkboard covered in snapshots of happy customers. The staff immediately greeted me in perfect English when I arrived, which instantly puts you at ease.

A place so cool you’ll want to take a picture of the wall, and that’s before the food even arrives.

The specialty of the house is rice pilaf — a glorious dish of slow-cooked meat and rice that’s a universe of flavor in every bite. The menu is simple and focused, which is a blessing for people who have a hard time deciding what to order from long, overly complicated menus. You’re here for one thing, and the only real question is: which cut of lamb do you want with it?

We decided to try two. First up was Lamb Chop Pilaf. This was a generous serving of unbelievably tender, bone-in lamb chops nestled on a mountain of glistening, aromatic rice. The rice itself was a revelation, studded with sweet, soft carrots and infused with a secret blend of spices that was savory, slightly sweet, and utterly addictive. Each grain was perfectly cooked and slick with lamb fat — the good kind that carries flavor and makes you close your eyes in delight.

I’d like to thank the sheep who made this meal possible. 

Then came Lamb Leg Pilaf, the main event and star of the show. An enormous, majestic lamb shank, slow-cooked to perfection, was laid to rest on the same bed of fragrant rice. This was a dish that demanded your full attention. The meat was so tender it practically sighed and fell away from the bone at the mere suggestion of a fork. It was rich, deeply flavorful, and the kind of soul-satisfying comfort food that makes you forget all your troubles.

This is less a meal and more a declaration of war on hunger. 

This is the kind of experience that makes living in Shenzhen so exciting — being able to try the vast array of Chinese cuisine without having to hop on a high-speed train or flight. It’s the discovery of a hidden gem that serves food you’ll dream about for weeks.

I encourage my fellow expats to explore Chinese cuisine more! It is a vast tapestry of flavors and textures that never stops delivering mouthwatering flavors. All you need is a little curiosity and a willingness to point at the most delicious-looking thing on the menu. This place is the perfect place to take your first step off the beaten path.