Food in Xi’an

The famous Xi’an burger – or roujiamo, which means meat in the mo (bun) – should top your must-try food list when visiting Xi’an. It’s a perfect mix of succulent and slow-cooked meat, served inside a crisp and fluffy bun or mo. It is in fact very much the Chinese equivalent of a ‘burger’ and could well be regarded as the precursor to what we in the West think of like a burger. As lovers of these delicious buns, we defy you to eat just one while in Xi’an. The meat is braised in a marinade for many hours, and then shredded, and the buns, which are larger in size but similar in shape to a traditional English muffin, are baked in a traditional wood-fired oven. There is a vegetarian equivalent called caijiamo, so if you’re not a meat-eater, you can still enjoy this local specialty.

Xi’an is a city of noodles – a kind of little ‘Italy’ with noodles in every shape and size available for enjoyment. Biangbiang noodles are perhaps the most famous among all Chinese noodles. They are seriously long and thick, hand-stretched noodles, and specific to the Shaanxi Province. They are so named biangbiang for their resemblance to a belt, as in, they are long and wide, however, their flavor is nothing like an old piece of leather! Traditionally served with chili sauce and a variety of vegetables, you’ll be amazed by the simplicity and rich flavors of this famous Xi’an food. And a final word on biangbiang noodles – ‘Biang’ is also the most complex Chinese character there is, requiring an incredible 58 separate strokes to complete. Fortunately, eating biangbiang noodles is not complicated at all and can be enjoyed by any traveler with a sense of culinary adventure.

Never let it be said fusion isn’t part of Xi’anese cuisine. It certainly can’t be argued in view of the local combination favorite of roujiamo + liangpi + Bingfeng (the famous local orange soda brand Ice Peak). Liangpi is made by steaming thin rice or wheat ‘sheets’, setting aside until cooled, then cutting and slicing into noodles; a process which indicates the derivation of the dish’s name, ‘cold noodles’. Liangpi is served with vinegar, soy sauce, crushed garlic, chili oil and topped with boiled sprouts and freshly grated cucumber. For added flavor, the wheat version of cold noodles is typically tossed with sesame paste.

An iconic dish in Xi’an,yangrou or niurou paomo is referred to by locals as paomo, which translates as ‘soak Mo (bread) in the soup’. When you order this dish, here’s what to expect: First, take a large bowl and one or two flatbreads. Tear the bread into tiny pieces in the bowl. The bowl with crumbled bread is then sent to the kitchen to cook. Water is added to the broth and brought to the boil. The crumbled bread, rice vermicelli, Jew’s ear mushrooms, dried citron daylily that has been hydrated, cooked beef or mutton slices, and chopped garlic sprouts and coriander are added to the soup. Finally, it is left to stew for a few minutes. Enjoy with fresh chili paste and pickled sweet garlic.

There are many variations of dumplings in China, and even within Xi’an itself, so to eliminate the many choices and settle on the few we’ve presented in this guide has been a challenge. One version you must include among your dining experiences is hot and sour dumplings – or Suantang shuijiao. This dish is served by adding the broth in which beef or mutton has been cooked to a boil laden with dried shrimps, coriander, chopped green onion, laver (a type of seaweed), roasted sesame, soy sauce, vinegar, chili oil, and sesame oil. The hot sour spicy soup is the ‘main event’ in this dish, followed closely by the steamed dumplings that are added to it.

The Muslim Quarter is a foodie’s heaven and it’s difficult not to succumb to the many flavors and dishes. Among the favorites that make our list is Muslim-style steamed beef with wheat flour or Fen Zheng Rou. This dish is a world away from the well-known steamed pork with rice powder and is made with wheat flour. Best eaten hot with fresh garlic, a steamed bun, and a special black tea to balance the beef’s fat, Fen Zheng Rou is definitely a Muslim Quarter ‘must-eat’ dish. A remarkable 23 herbs, spices, and secret seasonings are used to flavor Fen Zheng Rou and it takes seven hours to prepare. If slow-cooked dishes are your thing, this is for you.

Fancy dining on a little history? Then be sure to sample gourd-shaped fried chicken or Huluji. This famous traditional Xi’an food originated early in the Tang dynasty (618 to 906 A.D.). The whole chicken is tied before a three-stage cooking process that involves boiling, steaming, and deep-frying the chicken. At completion, the chicken, with its golden crispy skin resembles a gourd. Best served with pepper salt for dipping meat.

A version of grilled meat skewers can be found in every city in China. Xi’an is best known for its cumin and chili heavy seasoning kao rou chuan, especially for lamb and beef skewers. These are juicy, tender, and tasty – and very difficult to say no to!

This dish is another version of paomo for Han nationality people in Xi’an. The main ingredient is pig intestines, which generally doesn’t hold appeal for many people from the West. In Xi’an however, the popularity of this traditional Xi’anese dish has endured for over 1000 years. The dish is served with a bun that is broken into pieces, and to which the following is added: pig intestines, tripe, chicken, sea cucumber, squid, and vegetables. Served with pickled sweet garlic and fresh chili paste. While it may not sound appetizing, locals swear by it, making it as popular today as it was a thousand years ago.

At Liuxin Niuyangrou Xiaochao Paomo, you can expect good service based on its reputation, along with reliably good quality tasty food. Locals who live in Muslim Quarter consistently pick this restaurant as their favorite.

Guoyuanzhai Mijia Paomo is centrally located in the Muslim Quarter and is renowned among local Xi’an people, expats, and international visitors as well.

Yizhen Lou is located at Dapiyuan in the Muslim Quarter. Expect large portion sizes, which make it very popular among locals and tourists.

Maguangrong Paomo is really a hidden gem that locals love. Located in Guangming Alley near Xiyangshi in Muslim Quarter, this small restaurant run by father and son is always full because of their good quality food and service.

Jianji Paomo was started in 1982 and gained a reputation among locals for its good quality food, clean and comfortable dining environment. There are five Jianji Paomo restaurants in Xi’an, giving you plenty of options to choose from.

Jingde Paomo is another small restaurant with a seriously big name for its paomo. Expect guaranteed good quality ingredients in the soup and flatbread, factors that keep customers coming back.

Constructed in traditional Tang dynasty style, Yong Xing Fang is a complex for experiencing Xi’an and Shaanxi delicacies, an authentic folk culture experience, local history, and products from Southern, Northern, and Central Shaanxi. There are over 50 food stores and restaurants here, and with the highlight being a cultural heritage performance. Travelers can taste local food, enjoy performances, and experience handcrafts.

Tucked away around 70 kilometers out of Xi’an, Yuanjiacun village is now very popular for its successful ‘rural tourism’ experience. Yuanjiacun Guanzhong Tiyan Di has brought the country to the city and expanded its business in Xi’an by opening several experience centers in a number of major shopping malls, including Intime Department Store at Datang Everbright City and SAGA International Shopping Center. The center operates as a food court, offering Xi’an and Shaanxi snacks like Biangbiang noodles, fried dumplings, garlic chive pockets, jellied bean curd, and much more.

As the busiest streets in Muslim Quarter, this is the place that you absolutely must not miss when visiting Xi’an. Every conceivable street snack can be found here: Flatbread in mutton or beef soup paomo, skewers, yellow split pea cake, pomegranate juice, glutinous rice desserts, cured beef or lamb, fried persimmon doughnuts, and steamed glutinous rice cake. Arrive hungrily and leave full.

Sajinqiao Alley is an 800-meter long street that is the coveted secret of local Xi’anese. Far removed from typical tourist hot spots, Sajinqiao can be regarded as a 24-hour food street. Be sure to sample the pan-fried beef pancake, hot peppery beef meatball soup hulatang, sour and spicy dumpling soup, Muslim-style steamed beef with wheat flour, skewers, and egg drop soup.

Although it’s not as busy as Beiyuanmen and Xiyangshi, Dapiyuan is more popular among locals looking for its authentic food in the Muslim Quarter. Apart from paomo, cold noodles with sesame paste, and rice noodle casserole, try what’s considered the very best Suanmeitang sour plum drink from Hua Nainai (Granny Hua). Or treat yourself by selecting from 18 ice cream flavors at the famous Shan Shi San (Shan 13) where you can challenge your taste buds with chili oil ice cream.

Opposite the Drum Tower, Zhubashi Alley is another foodie’s destination in Xi’an. You will find the best roujiamo in the famous Fanji Lazhi Roujiamo restaurant. Steamed pork with rice flour wrapped in lotus leaf buns is another traditional local food. A vegetarian bakery shop specializing in mung bean pies is so popular that consumers can only purchase a limited amount. You’ll also find other stores and small restaurants for authentic local food, like cold noodles and fried dumplings.

Defu Alley is to Xi’an what Sanlitun is to Beijing. Located in close proximity to the Xi’an City Wall’s South Gate, this precinct is discernible by the narrow bluestone paving of the street where you’ll find some of Xi’an’s trendiest cafes, bars, teahouses and restaurants. Having gained a reputation as the place for local Xi’anese to enjoy their first cafe or bar experience, we think you’ll understand why when you make a night of it here too.

Shuncheng Alley is a narrow street stretching along the inner side of Xi’an City Wall. Expect to find different hostels, restaurants, bars and cafes scattered here, as well as local Xi’an folk art clubs. Perfect for those wanting something a little out of the ordinary.

Eloquently named Pomegranate Garden, Liu Yuan is located on the east side of the South Gate of the Xi’an City Wall. Liu Yuan attracts a younger crowd who want to make the most of their downtime from work during weekends.

A hallowed destination for any visitor to Xi’an, the Muslim Quarter is rightly worthy of an enjoyable morning or afternoon spent wandering. Perhaps more than any other location, the Muslim Quarter provides a glimpse into Xi’an’s eclectic Silk Road heritage. Between its famous restaurants serving iconic dishes like biang biang noodles and paomo flatbread in mutton or beef soup, to the seemingly endless supply of street snacks served on skewers, to the fresh pomegranate juice, you’ll find no shortage of taste sensations that will tempt.

Designed to satisfy the traveler to Xi’an, Yongxing Fang is a showcase of almost every local Shaanxi delicacy; you can quite literally find just about every conceivable local specialty. Located at the Zhong Shan Gate (just north of East Gate), it’s here you can sample a little dramatic art too, with the area lit up at night with gorgeous red lanterns. Another point of difference? The buildings at Yongxingfang are laid out to reflect that of the Tang Dynasty’s ancient capital, providing visitors with a unique window into 108 fang or quarters from over 1,300 years ago.

Regarded as the most energetic area in Xi’an, Xiaozhai is surrounded by many universities and colleges. There are many shopping centers and restaurants in this area, from fashion shops to street food stalls, popular restaurants with long waiting lines to tiny shops selling the very best snacks the Chinese people do so well.