What to Eat in Xi’an: Noodles, Roujiamo & Muslim Quarter Food
The short answer: eat biangbiang noodles and roujiamo from any busy small shop, yangrou paomo for a hearty meal, and skip the main Muslim Quarter strip — locals eat at Sajin Bridge and Da Piyuan. Budget ¥80–120 per day.
The Must-Try List
1. Biangbiang Noodles (裤带面) — the belt noodles
Hand-pulled noodles as wide as a belt, chewy and satisfying, tossed in chili oil, garlic, and vinegar. The name’s character has 58 strokes — the most complex in Chinese.
- Where: Any small local joint beats the tourist spots — the simpler the shop, the better the noodles.
- Price: ¥15–25.
2. Roujiamo (肉夹馍) — the “Chinese burger”
Crispy flatbread stuffed with slow-braised pork, cilantro, and chili. Grab one from a street stall — it’s the ultimate grab-and-go.
- Where: Street stalls across the city; the Muslim Quarter’s side lanes do it well.
- Price: ¥8–15.
3. Yangrou Paomo (羊肉泡馍) — lamb soup with torn bread
A Xi’an institution: you tear flatbread into tiny pieces, the kitchen cooks it with lamb broth, and you eat it with pickled garlic and chili paste. Hearty, warming, and filling.
- Where: Famous paomo houses in the Muslim Quarter — look for queues of locals.
- Price: ¥30–50.
4. Liangpi (凉皮) — cold noodles
Cold rice or wheat noodles in a tangy chili-vinegar dressing with cucumber and bean sprouts. The perfect summer dish.
- Where: Any busy noodle shop; often sold at roujiamo stalls.
- Price: ¥8–15.
5. The Muslim Quarter Snack Crawl
- Suanmeitang (酸梅汤): Sour plum drink — refreshing in summer.
- Bingfeng (冰峰): The local orange soda — Xi’an’s answer to Coca-Cola, served with almost every meal.
- Where: Sajin Bridge (洒金桥) and Da Piyuan (大皮院) — cleaner, cheaper, and more local than the main strip.
Local vs Tourist: Where to Eat
- Skip: The main Huimin Street (回民街) strip — tourist-priced and crowded.
- Go: Sajin Bridge (洒金桥) and Da Piyuan (大皮院) — smaller lanes with better food and lower prices. Yongxingfang (永兴坊) is the birthplace of the bowl-smashing wine trend — cleaner than the main strip, and locals go too.
- Rule of thumb: If the menu is only in Chinese and the seats are plastic, you’re in the right place.
Hanfu & Food Photos
Rent a hanfu (traditional dress) — ¥100–300 for a full outfit and photos — and eat your way through the old city in style. The city wall and Big Wild Goose Pagoda are the best backdrops.
FAQ
What food is Xi’an famous for? Biangbiang noodles, roujiamo, yangrou paomo, and liangpi. Drink Bingfeng soda.
Where do locals eat? Sajin Bridge and Da Piyuan, not the main Huimin Street strip.
What is biangbiang noodle? A wide, chewy hand-pulled noodle in chili oil, garlic, and vinegar.
What is yangrou paomo? Lamb soup with torn flatbread — you tear the bread, the kitchen cooks it.
How much does food cost? Street food ¥10–30, full meals ¥30–60 per person.
What’s the local drink? Bingfeng orange soda — the Xi’an staple.
Last updated: October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What food is Xi'an famous for?
Biangbiang noodles (裤带面), roujiamo (the 'Chinese burger'), yangrou paomo (lamb soup with torn bread), and liangpi (cold noodles). Wash it down with a Bingfeng soda.
Where do locals eat in the Muslim Quarter?
Skip the main Huimin Street strip — locals eat at Sajin Bridge (洒金桥) and Da Piyuan (大皮院), smaller lanes with better food and lower prices.
What is biangbiang noodle?
A hand-pulled belt noodle, wide and chewy, tossed in chili oil, garlic, and vinegar. Any small local joint beats the tourist spots — the simpler the shop, the better the noodles.
What is yangrou paomo?
Lamb soup with torn flatbread — a Xi'an institution. You tear the bread yourself, the kitchen cooks it with the broth. Hearty, warming, and filling.
How much does food cost in Xi'an?
Street food ¥10–30, a full meal ¥30–60 per person. Xi'an is one of China's cheapest food cities — budget ¥80–120 per day.
What is the local drink in Xi'an?
Bingfeng (冰峰) orange soda — the local staple, served with almost every meal. Also try suanmeitang (sour plum drink) in summer.