Hi everyone, I’m Emma Lee, a food lover and an expat blogger living in China. Xi’an, an ancient city with a rich history, has drawn countless food enthusiasts with its vibrant culinary culture. Since I arrived in China, I’ve been completely enchanted by the traditional flavors this land has to offer. From street snacks to fine dining, every bite tells a touching story and carries a piece of history. In this article, I’ll take you on a deep dive into Xi’an’s authentic foods, letting you savor the unique tastes of this ancient city. I hope you’ll join me in exploring the culinary world of Xi’an and experience the delicious charm of this historic metropolis.

Summary

Must-Try Traditional Xi’an Dishes

Roujiamo (Chinese-style Pulled Pork Sandwich)

Roujiamo (Chinese-style pulled pork sandwich)
  • Introduction: Roujiamo is undoubtedly one of the must-try dishes in Xi’an! With a crispy outer crust and tender, juicy meat on the inside, every bite is a delightful experience. It’s more than just a snack; it’s a cultural icon of this ancient city. Whether in the early morning on street corners or in the bustling night markets, Roujiamo can be found everywhere.
  • Chinese Name: 肉夹馍
  • Pinyin: Rou Jia Mo
  • Main Ingredients: Flour, pork, chili
  • Typical Meal Times: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Ziwu Road Zhangji Roujiamo (Bell Tower Branch)
    • Address: No. 113 North Street, Tongji Square, 1st Floor L1-5, Xincheng District, Xi’an (Apple Maps/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 00:00 AM – 12:00 AM
    • Average Price: 21 RMB
  • Qinyu Roujiamo (Dongyang Market Branch)
    • Address: No. 5 Dongyang Market, Machangzi, Beilin District, Xi’an (Apple Maps/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 07:00 AM – 08:00 PM
    • Average Price: 13 RMB

Yang Rou Pao Mo (Lamb Soup with Crumbled Flatbread)

Lamb Paomo (Lamb Soup with Crumbled Flatbread)
  • Introduction: Yang Rou Pao Mo is another signature dish in Xi’an. Freshly baked flatbread is torn into small pieces and placed in a rich lamb broth, accompanied by ingredients like rice noodles and green onions. The result is a steaming bowl of Yang Rou Pao Mo. The delicious lamb flavor blends perfectly with the hearty bread, offering warmth even on the coldest days. Every bite is filled with the taste of home, making you want to go for another bowl.
  • Chinese Name: 羊肉泡馍
  • Pinyin: Yang Rou Pao Mo
  • Main Ingredients: Flatbread, lamb
  • Typical Meal Times: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Mahong Xiaochao Pao Mo Restaurant
    • Address: No. 46 Hongbu Street, Lianhu District, Xi’an (Apple Maps/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 09:00 AM – 09:00 PM
    • Average Price: 30 RMB

Liangpi (Cold Skin Noodles)

Liangpi (Cold Skin Noodles)
  • Introduction: Liangpi is not only delicious but also a clever dish that showcases the ingenuity of Xi’an’s culinary culture. Using a variety of ingredients, it’s carefully mixed and seasoned to satisfy both the taste buds and the love for life that Xi’an locals have. On a hot summer day, a bowl of Liangpi is the perfect choice. The translucent noodles have a smooth texture, and when paired with vinegar, chili oil, and other seasonings, they become a refreshing and invigorating dish.
  • Chinese Name: 凉皮
  • Pinyin: Liang Pi
  • Main Ingredients: Rice noodles, cucumber, minced garlic, chili oil
  • Typical Meal Times: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Wang Kui La Zi Rou Shop (Head Office)
    • Address: 1st Floor, Hualong Jiayuan, Beilin District, Xi’an (Apple Maps/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 07:00 AM – 09:00 PM
    • Average Price: 20 RMB

Biangbiang Noodles (Hand-Pulled Noodles)

Biangbiang Noodles (Hand-pulled Noodles)
  • Introduction: Biangbiang Noodles, also known as Kudaimian (Pant Belt Noodles), have wide, chewy strands of noodles served with chili oil, vinegar, and other seasonings. Every bite is packed with flavor. In Xi’an’s bustling streets, you can always find vendors offering this dish. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a cultural symbol of Xi’an. Eating Biangbiang Noodles is like tasting the history and charm of the city.
  • Chinese Name: Biangbiang面
  • Pinyin: Biang Biang Mian
  • Main Ingredients: Noodles, minced garlic, chili oil
  • Typical Meal Times: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Guo Laosan Noodle Restaurant (Head Office)
    • Address: Next to Dayan Pagoda Elementary School, Yanta District, Xi’an (Apple Maps/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 10:30 PM
    • Average Price: 15 RMB

Hu La Tang (Hot and Spicy Soup)

Hot and Spicy Soup (Hu La Tang)
  • Introduction: Hu La Tang is a specialty breakfast dish in Xi’an. Beef meatballs, potatoes, carrots, and other ingredients are added to a fragrant, spicy broth, often enjoyed with flatbread or fried dough sticks. The spicy and flavorful broth will wake you up and give you a burst of energy for the day. This dish is simple yet filled with warmth, bringing comfort to your body and soul.
  • Chinese Name: 胡辣汤
  • Pinyin: Hu La Tang
  • Main Ingredients: Pork bone broth, spices, pepper, tofu
  • Typical Meal Times: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Pengjia Zhengtang (Taiyuan Road Head Office)
    • Address: No. 1-109, Building 1, Jinhua Garden, Huilin Huacheng, Taiyuan Road, Weiyang District, Xi’an (Apple Maps/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 00:00 AM – 12:00 AM
    • Average Price: 13 RMB

Zeng Gao (Steamed Rice Cake)

Zenggao (Steamed Rice Cake)
  • Introduction: Zeng Gao is a traditional dessert in Xi’an. It is made by layering red dates, glutinous rice, and other ingredients, then steaming them to perfection. The texture is soft, sticky, and sweet, and every bite is absolutely delightful. Zeng Gao not only tastes amazing but also carries the love and well-wishes of the people of Xi’an for life. Tasting Zeng Gao feels like savoring the city’s rich history and cultural heritage.
  • Chinese Name: 甑糕
  • Pinyin: Zeng Gao
  • Main Ingredients: Rice flour, red dates, sugar
  • Typical Meal Times: Snacks
  • Recommended Season: Available year-round
  • San Sheng Zhai Steamed Pork & Zeng Gao
    • Address: No. 216, North Guangji Street, Lianhu District, Xi’an (Apple Maps/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 06:45 AM – 09:00 PM
    • Average Price: 17 RMB

Shui Pen Yang Rou (Water Basin Lamb)

Shui Pen Yang Rou (Lamb in Soup Basin)
  • Introduction: Shui Pen Yang Rou is a traditional dish in Xi’an. It is made by simmering lamb, lamb bones, and other ingredients to create a rich, flavorful broth, which is then served with noodles, tofu, and other toppings. The taste is savory and nourishing, perfect for warming up on cold days. Shui Pen Yang Rou is not only delicious but also a comforting dish that reflects the warmth and love of Xi’an’s people for life.
  • Chinese Name: 水盆羊肉
  • Pinyin: Shui Pen Yang Rou
  • Main Ingredients: Lamb, tofu, chili peppers
  • Typical Meal Times: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Available year-round
  • Chengcheng Chongbin Shui Pen Yang Rou
    • Address: 50 meters southeast of the South Gate, Xincheng Branch, Xi’an Public Security Bureau, Xincheng District, Xi’an (Apple Maps/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 07:30 AM – 08:30 PM
    • Average Price: 33 RMB

You Po Che Mian (Oil-Poured Hand-Pulled Noodles)

Youpo Che Mian (Oil-splashing Noodles)
  • Introduction: You Po Che Mian is a distinctive noodle dish in Xi’an. The wide, chewy noodles are served with chili oil, minced garlic, and other seasonings, creating a spicy and flavorful taste that makes you want to go for another bowl. You Po Che Mian is not only delicious but also a dish full of challenges, awakening your taste buds to new possibilities. Tasting it is like testing the limits of your senses.
  • Chinese Name: 油泼扯面
  • Pinyin: You Po Che Mian
  • Main Ingredients: Noodles, chili oil
  • Typical Meal Times: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Available year-round
  • Fangling Characteristic You Po Mian
    • Address: No. 179, Hongying Road, Beilin District, Xi’an (Apple Maps/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 09:00 PM
    • Average Price: 11 RMB

Hu Lu Tou Pao Mo (Gourd Head Lamb Soup)

Hulutou Paomo (Gourd Head Flatbread Soup)
  • Introduction: Hu Lu Tou Pao Mo is a unique and traditional snack in Xi’an. It is known for its rich broth, tender lamb meat, and chewy bread. The combination of flavors makes this dish a beloved local specialty, offering a comforting and savory meal.
  • Chinese Name: 葫芦头泡馍
  • Pinyin: Hu Lu Tou Pao Mo
  • Main Ingredients: Pig intestines, pig stomach
  • Typical Meal Times: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Available year-round
  • Chunfasheng (Nanyuanmen Branch)
    • Address: No. 25, Nanyuanmen, Beilin District, Xi’an (Apple Maps/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM – 02:00 PM, 05:00 PM – 09:00 PM; Saturday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 09:00 PM
    • Average Price: 41 RMB

Sao Zi Mian (Saozi Noodles)

Saozi Mian (Saozi Noodles)
  • Introduction: Sao Zi Mian has a long history and is made with ingredients like tofu and eggs. The dish is simple to make, and “sao zi” refers to diced meat. For people from Shaanxi, the color combination of the toppings is especially important, with the yellow egg skin, black wood ear mushrooms, red carrots, green garlic sprouts, and white tofu. These ingredients are both visually appealing and delicious.
  • Chinese Name: 臊子面
  • Pinyin: Sao Zi Mian
  • Main Ingredients: Pork, noodles
  • Typical Meal Times: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Available year-round
  • Lao Bai Jia Noodle Restaurant (Cehui East Road Branch)
    • Address: No. 118, Cehui East Road, Xinlvcheng, Beilin District, Xi’an (Apple Maps/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM
    • Average Price: 23 RMB

Niu Nai Ji Dan Lao Zao (Milk Egg Lao Zao)

Milk and Egg Fermented Rice (Niunai Jidan Laozhao)
  • Introduction: Niu Nai Ji Dan Lao Zao is made with milk, eggs, and lao zao (fermented rice). The texture is soft and smooth, with a delicate sweetness and a slight tanginess. It’s a dish that is as delightful in flavor as it is in appearance.
  • Chinese Name: 牛奶鸡蛋醪糟
  • Pinyin: Niu Nai Ji Dan Lao Zao
  • Main Ingredients: Milk, eggs, glutinous rice, sweet rice wine
  • Typical Meal Times: Snack
  • Recommended Season: Available year-round
  • Liquan Laozao Workshop (Yongxingfang Branch)
    • Address: Northwest 100 meters from the intersection of Xinjie Street and Shuncheng East Road, Yongxingfang, Xincheng District, Xi’an (Apple Maps/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 08:30 AM – 09:00 PM
    • Average Price: 10 RMB

Jing Gao (Mirror Cake)

Jinggao (Mirror Cake)
  • Introduction: Jing Gao is a traditional snack in Xi’an, particularly popular among the Hui people. Its shape resembles a mirror, being round and thin. It’s made from glutinous rice flour, and small thin iron plates are placed in a bamboo or wooden steamer, then filled with rice flour and topped with red sugar, green and yellow sugar, and finely chopped fruit peels. It’s steamed in layers like a pagoda, and when cooked, a long sound is heard as steam escapes from the tip.
  • Chinese Name: 镜糕
  • Pinyin: Jing Gao
  • Main Ingredients: Glutinous rice flour, red dates, sugar
  • Typical Meal Times: Snack
  • Recommended Season: Available year-round
  • Anjia Jinggao Babao Rose Jinggao
    • Address: South Gate of No. 70 Middle School, Lianhu District, Xi’an (Apple Maps/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 09:00 AM – 12:00 AM
    • Average Price: 2 RMB

Hu Lu Ji (Gourd Chicken)

Huluj Chicken
  • Introduction: Hu Lu Ji is a traditional dish in Xi’an, known for its crispy skin, tender meat, and rich flavor. It’s golden-red in color, with a crispy skin and tender meat that easily comes off the bone. It is beloved by locals and visitors alike.
  • Chinese Name: 葫芦鸡
  • Pinyin: Hu Lu Ji
  • Main Ingredients: Chicken, peanuts
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Available year-round
  • Chang’an Dapaidang (North Street Branch)
    • Address: No. 28, North Street, Lianhu District, Xi’an (Apple Maps/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:00 AM – 09:30 PM
    • Average Price: 94 RMB

Bing Feng (Bingfeng Soda)

Bingfeng (Ice Peak)
  • Introduction: Bing Feng is a popular carbonated drink found on every street corner in Xi’an. It’s a distinctive local beverage that reflects the unique taste of the city.
  • Chinese Name: 冰峰
  • Pinyin: Bing Feng
  • Main Ingredients: Carbonated water, sugar, lemon
  • Typical Meal Times: Snack
  • Recommended Season: Available year-round
  • Bing Feng is available at all street-side restaurants and supermarkets in Xi’an.
    • Average Price: 3 RMB

You Cha Ma Hua (Oil Tea with Fried Dough Twists)

Youcha Mahua (Oil Tea and Fried Flower)
  • Introduction: You Cha Ma Hua is a traditional snack from Hancheng in Shaanxi, Xi’an. The fried dough twists are soaked in oil tea, becoming soft before eating. The combination of the oil fragrance, the savory dough, and the crushed sesame, almonds, soybeans, and peanuts creates a delightful aroma that satisfies hunger.
  • Chinese Name: 油茶麻花
  • Pinyin: You Cha Ma Hua
  • Main Ingredients: Flour, sugar powder
  • Typical Meal Times: Snack
  • Recommended Season: Available year-round
  • Xiao Jia Ma Hua You Cha
    • Address: No. 24, Wuxing Street, Lianhu District, Xi’an (Apple Maps/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 06:00 AM – 11:00 AM
    • Average Price: 4 RMB

Gui Hua Gao (Osmanthus Cake)

Osmanthus Cake (Guihua Gao)
  • Introduction: Gui Hua Gao is a must-try for those who love sweets! Made with glutinous rice flour, sugar, and osmanthus honey, it’s sweet and fragrant. It’s sold for five RMB for two pieces, or three RMB for one. Each piece is cut into small portions and topped with osmanthus honey, making it irresistible!
  • Chinese Name: 桂花糕
  • Pinyin: Gui Hua Gao
  • Main Ingredients: Glutinous rice flour, osmanthus, sugar
  • Typical Meal Times: Snack
  • Recommended Season: Available year-round
  • Li Dashu Gui Hua Gao (West Yangshi Branch)
    • Address: No. 115, Beiyuanmen Street, Lianhu District, Xi’an (Apple Maps/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 08:00 AM – 11:30 PM
    • Average Price: 5 RMB

Essential Xi’an Travel Resources