Xi'an Local Cuisine
Explore the authentic flavors and must-try dishes of Xi'an
Street Food
Roujiamo
Chinese hamburger with tender braised meat in a flatbread bun
¥8-15
Lunch or snack
Very common
Best Places:
- Street vendors
- Muslim Quarter
- Local markets
Pro Tip:
Best when meat is fresh and hot, add chili sauce for extra flavor
Noodles
Biang Biang Noodles
Wide hand-pulled noodles with spicy sauce and various toppings
¥15-30
Lunch or dinner
Common
Best Places:
- Noodle shops
- Local restaurants
- Food streets
Pro Tip:
The wider the noodles, the more authentic. Mix well before eating
Soup
Yang Rou Pao Mo
Lamb soup with crumbled flatbread, a Xi'an specialty
¥20-40
Lunch or dinner
Common
Best Places:
- Muslim restaurants
- Traditional eateries
- Local markets
Pro Tip:
Break the bread into small pieces yourself for authentic experience
Dim Sum
Guan Tang Baozi
Soup dumplings with rich broth inside, similar to xiaolongbao
¥15-30
Breakfast or lunch
Common
Best Places:
- Dim sum restaurants
- Local breakfast shops
- Tea houses
Pro Tip:
Bite carefully to avoid spilling the hot soup
Noodles
Liangpi
Cold rice noodles with spicy sauce and vegetables
¥8-15
Summer lunch or snack
Very common
Best Places:
- Street vendors
- Local markets
- Food courts
Pro Tip:
Perfect refreshing dish for hot weather
Street Food
Hui Min Street Food
Various Muslim-influenced street foods from the Muslim Quarter
¥5-20
Any time
Very common
Best Places:
- Muslim Quarter
- Food streets
- Night markets
Pro Tip:
Explore the Muslim Quarter for the best variety
Xi'an Food Culture Guide
Dining Etiquette
- • Use chopsticks properly, don't stick them upright in rice
- • Try a little of everything when dining with others
- • It's polite to serve others before yourself
- • Slurping noodles is acceptable and shows appreciation
Ordering Tips
- • Point at menu pictures if language is a barrier
- • Ask for "bu la" (not spicy) if you can't handle heat
- • Street food is generally safe from busy vendors
- • Don't tip - it's not customary in China