The Thoughtful Splurge — worth every penny
The one and only Uyghur cuisine in Massachusetts, offering the unique food mixture of Asian and Turkish food culture. Authentic Central Asian dishes with lamb, hand-pulled noodles, and traditional spices.
The Maitre d' Recommends
The Vibe
Silk Road brings the rare flavors of Uyghur cuisine to East Cambridge—the only restaurant of its kind in Massachusetts. The cuisine blends Central Asian and Turkish influences into something uniquely flavorful: hand-pulled noodles, lamb kebabs, and spices that tell stories of the Silk Road trading routes. All halal, all made with care.
Comfortable conversation level
Why It's Great
Massachusetts' Only Uyghur Restaurant
Uyghur cuisine occupies a unique culinary space—where Central Asian nomadic traditions meet Chinese techniques, filtered through Turkish and Middle Eastern influences. In all of Massachusetts, only Silk Road serves this remarkable food.
The lamb kebabs are a revelation. Seasoned with cumin and spices from the original Silk Road trading routes, grilled to perfection, they explain why lamb has been currency in Central Asia for millennia. The polo rice—pilaf studded with carrots and lamb—offers comfort in every bite.
The hand-pulled noodles, called laghman, showcase the technical heritage shared with Chinese tradition but flavored distinctly Uyghur. Each bowl tells of ancestors who cooked on the ancient trading routes.
The space is bright and welcoming, the staff eager to explain dishes to newcomers. Everything is halal. The prices are fair. And you're eating food that exists nowhere else in the state—cultural preservation through cuisine.
Lamb kebabs with polo rice, then laghman noodles. Experience Silk Road flavors without leaving Cambridge.
Lamb Kebabs
Cumin-seasoned, perfectly grilled—the signature
Polo Rice (Pilaf)
Rice with carrots and lamb, traditional preparation
Laghman Noodles
Hand-pulled noodles in rich broth with vegetables and meat
Samosa
Flaky pastry with savory lamb filling
Why It's In Our Guide
Silk Road is the only Uyghur restaurant in Massachusetts, offering authentic Central Asian cuisine that's impossible to find elsewhere. The cultural significance and quality make it essential.
“The only Uyghur restaurant in Massachusetts delivers flavors you can't find anywhere else.”
— Boston Globe“A culinary journey along the ancient Silk Road—in East Cambridge.”
— Eater BostonEast Cambridge residents have embraced Silk Road as a neighborhood treasure. The halal certification draws diners from across the region.
Insider Tips
Dinner for the full experience. Lunch is quick and easy.
Walk-ins work. Busier on weekends when word of mouth fills tables.
The bright dining room is comfortable for groups.
Lamb kebabs are essential. Ask the staff for recommendations if you're new to Uyghur cuisine.
Street parking in East Cambridge. Lechmere T is walkable.
Ratings & Reviews
Based on 469 reviews
234 reviews
Updated 2024-12
235 reviews
Updated 2024-12
Frequently Asked Questions
Uyghur cuisine comes from the Uyghur people of northwestern China and Central Asia. It blends influences from China, Turkey, and Central Asian nomadic cultures. Lamb, cumin, and hand-pulled noodles are signature elements.
Reddit Mentions
Contact Details
645 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02141
Tue-Sun: 11:30AM-10PM, Closed Monday
8 min walk from Lechmere
GreenCambridge has hosted Nobel laureates at nearly every establishment.
“She was my Rushmore.”
— Herman Blume, on Cambridge dining