XI'AN · FOOD GUIDE
Eating in Xi'an
Xi'an's food is shaped by its position on the ancient Silk Road — a mix of Han Chinese wheat traditions and Muslim Hui culture. The Muslim Quarter's maze of lanes around the Great Mosque is one of China's most atmospheric street-food districts, where flatbreads, cumin-lamb skewers, and pomegranate juice have been sold for centuries.
肉夹馍
Rou Jia Mo
Slow-braised spiced pork (or lamb) stuffed into a crispy clay-oven flatbread — informally described as a Chinese pulled-pork sandwich.
Where to try: Wei Jia Rou Jia Mo (魏家凉皮), Muslim Quarter; Tong Sheng Xiang restaurants.
羊肉泡馍
Yangrou Paomo
Cumin-lamb and glass-noodle stew into which the diner crumbles a thick unleavened bread; the bread must be torn by hand, not cut.
Where to try: Tong Sheng Xiang (同盛祥), Bell Tower Square area; De Fa Chang (德发长).
biangbiang面
Biang Biang Noodles
Wide, hand-pulled belt noodles dressed with chilli oil, vinegar, garlic, and topped with a ladle of scalding oil poured tableside.
Where to try: Wei Xia Biang Biang Mian, Muslim Quarter lanes; noodle shops on Dongdajie.
凉皮
Cold Noodles
Translucent rice or wheat starch sheets served cold with chilli oil, sesame paste, cucumber, and bean sprouts.
Where to try: Any 凉皮 stall in the Muslim Quarter; Qin Tang Fang (秦唐坊), East Street.
羊肉串
Lamb Skewers
Cumin-and-chilli-dusted mutton on bamboo skewers, grilled over charcoal.
Where to try: Muslim Quarter evening stalls around Beiyuanmen Street.
Muslim Quarter (Huimin Jie)
Tong Sheng Xiang
同盛祥
- Address
- 78 Xi Yangshi Street, Lianhu
- Hours
- 08:30–22:00 daily
- Metro
- Bell Tower (Lines 2/6)
- Order
- Yangrou paomo, sesame flatbread
De Fa Chang Dumpling Restaurant
德发长
- Address
- 87 Xiyangshi Street, Lianhu
- Hours
- 09:00–21:30 daily
- Metro
- Bell Tower (Lines 2/6)
- Order
- Dumpling banquet set, rou jia mo
Muslim Quarter Night Market Stalls
- Address
- Beiyuanmen Street, Lianhu
- Hours
- 16:00–23:00 daily
- Metro
- North Gate (Line 2)
- Order
- Lamb skewers, pomegranate juice, honey pastries
Bell Tower / Dongdajie
Defachang Jiaozi
德发长饺子馆
- Address
- Bell Tower Hotel Ground Floor, Xincheng
- Hours
- 11:00–21:30 daily
- Metro
- Bell Tower (Lines 2/6)
- Order
- Dumpling set with Shaanxi cold appetisers
Lao Sun Jia
老孙家
- Address
- 364 Dong Dajie, Beilin
- Hours
- 09:00–21:00 daily
- Metro
- Wulukou (Line 2)
- Order
- Yangrou paomo, lamb stew noodles
Qin Zhen Restaurant
- Address
- South Gate area, Beilin
- Hours
- 10:30–22:00 daily
- Metro
- South Gate (Line 2)
- Order
- Biang biang noodles, cold skin noodles, sweet date cake
The Muslim Quarter (回民街) is the centrepiece — narrow lanes filled with vendors selling rou jia mo, honeycomb toffee, sugar-coated haws, and whole-roasted lamb. It is busiest from mid-afternoon through the evening. For a less tourist-dense experience, the Xiaozhai neighbourhood in the south of the city has a concentration of local noodle shops and morning congee stalls popular with university students.