ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the construction of Uyghur cuisine through a visually based analysis of food served at restaurants that advertise themselves as “Uyghur.” It also explores conceptions and limitations of the broader term Chinese cuisine and its relationship to Uyghur cuisine. However, the growth of Uyghur restaurants in the United States challenges Chinese cuisine hope in bringing clarity to the boundaries of what constitutes Chinese cuisine—and instead, offers diners in the United States an expanded conception of food from Western China. In the broader context of Uyghur positionality within Chinese politics and society, the identity of Uyghur cuisine and restaurants in relationship to Chinese cuisine and restaurants takes on an added level of meaning. In the United States, a lack of name or cultural recognition among many Americans means Uyghur food appeals to an “exotic” element characteristic of “foodie” culture. Asian Ethnic Enclaves—and were both located in upscale neighborhoods and had a mixture of Uyghur, Han Chinese, and Caucasian diners.
