Xi'an Food Tour: Street Eats & Local Cuisine

Chinese Street Food - $2 BELT NOODLES + Breakfast Dumplings in Xi’an!!

Destination:ChinaCity:XiAnPopulation:13 million
Chinese Street Food - $2 BELT NOODLES + Breakfast Dumplings in Xi’an!!
Mark Wiens2024-11-0534 min

Lixiangyang's Hulatang & Fried Dumpling (东新街李向阳糊辣汤) - We’re starting with a very popular Muslim breakfast stall that’s famous for dumpling buns - 4 RMB ($0.56) for 5, hulatang (hot and spicy soup) - 9 RMB ($1.26), and some of the best Chinese vegetable pockets - Price - 5 RMB ($0.70) that I’ve ever had. Breakfast was on another level!

Three Brother's Vegetable Burger (玄风桥三兄弟菜夹馍) - Next up on this Chinese food tour today, Xi’an is famous for its Chinese burgers, often filled with meat, but this one is vegetarian and it’s so good. Price - 6 RMB ($0.86)

You can’t come to Xi’an without visiting the Xi'an City Wall. The wall has so much history and to this day the old part of the city is still surrounded by the wall.

Jing Gao - You’ll notice this unique sticky rice stick dessert all over Xi’an and it’s as tempting as it looks. The taste is actually quite nice as well, and very convenient to eat. Price - 3 RMB ($0.43)

Shangzhai Big Bowl Noodle (南柳巷尚寨老碗面) - Easily one of the most famous of all Chinese noodles in Xi’an is Biang Biang Noodles (油泼扯面). This place is very popular, but I was a little disappointed that his place doesn’t actually hand pull their noodles, but instead slices them. That being said, they were incredibly delicious with the splashed hot chili oil on top. Price - 12 RMB ($1.71). Don’t worry, coming soon we’ll go to a place where they still hand pull their noodles.

Wangkui's Burger (骡马市南口王魁肉夹馍) - Roujiamo (肉夹馍) is the famous Xi’an Chinese burger and this restaurant is legendary and one of the most famous. Price - 10 RMB ($1.43)

Chang'an Da Paidang (长安大排档上元灯会 葫芦鸡) - You can eat street food and noodles forever in Xi’an, but it’s also nice to sit down and eat some of the bigger main dishes of this region of Chinese food. Xi’an is famous for Gourd chicken (葫芦鸡), a whole fried chicken, and some other unique dishes. Price - 91 RMB ($12.98) total *I think they gave us a few complimentary dishes.

Another outstanding day of delicious Chinese food in Xi’an,...

--- Mark Wiens
November 5, 2024, Autumn in China

Video Chapters

  1. 0:00Introduction in Xi'an
  2. 0:47Breakfast alley food
  3. 15:17Xi'an City Wall
  4. 17:38Unique rice cake dessert
  5. 20:11Famous Biang Biang Noodles
  6. 26:29Legendary Roujiamo
  7. 29:49Gourd Chicken restaurant

Mark Wiens explores Xi'an's street food scene, savoring delicious noodles, unique buns, and the famous gourd chicken. A flavorful adventure filled with authentic experiences and surprising discoveries!

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

  1. Tip 1In Xi'an's breakfast market, try the fried dumplings, a unique combination of steaming and frying, filled with beef or sweet potato noodles. Don't forget the communal chili oil! (2:10)
  2. Tip 2Visit a generations-old stall for freshly baked buns filled with braised bean curd and various pickled vegetables. It's a vegetarian delight packed with flavor and textures. (11:17)
  3. Tip 3Explore the ancient Xi'an City Wall, dating back 600 years, and enjoy a leisurely walk or cycle around its 14km length, taking in the historical sights. (15:31)
  4. Tip 4Sample the unique sticky rice cakes sold from motorbike carts. These colorful treats, topped with dates and dipped in honey, offer a sweet and gooey experience. (18:03)
  5. Tip 5Indulge in Biang Biang noodles, a Xi'an specialty. These wide, flat noodles are tossed with chili oil and various toppings for a spicy and satisfying meal. (20:30)
  6. Tip 6Seek out the legendary Roujiamo, the Xi'an meat burger. This traditional dish features braised pork belly in a crusty bun, a comforting and flavorful experience. (26:31)
  7. Tip 7Treat yourself to Gourd Chicken, a celebratory dish in Xi'an. This whole fried chicken, served in a gourd, is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, a true culinary masterpiece. (29:49)

Join Mark Wiens on an unforgettable culinary adventure through Xi'an, China! This video captures the vibrant street food scene, from steaming dumplings and spicy noodles to legendary burgers and the celebratory gourd chicken. Witness Mark's interactions with locals, his surprised delight at unique dishes, and the sheer deliciousness of Xi'an's diverse flavors. This isn't just a food tour; it's a journey into the heart of Xi'an's culinary soul.

More about the current video:( 6 / 8 )

Chinese Street Food - $2 BELT NOODLES + Breakfast Dumplings in Xi’an!!

This video follows Mark Wiens on a Chinese street food tour in Xi'an, China. The journey begins with a bustling breakfast market, where Mark samples various delights including fried dumplings, a unique sticky rice dessert, and a hearty, spicy soup.

He explores the city's iconic Xi'an City Wall, a historical landmark that still encircles the old city. The exploration continues with a quest for the famed Biang Biang noodles, a dish known for its wide, flat noodles and spicy chili oil. Mark visits a restaurant famous for its hand-pulled noodles, though this particular establishment slices them, the result is still delicious.

The food tour continues with a visit to a legendary restaurant serving Roujiamo, the famous Xi'an burger. Mark then indulges in a more upscale dining experience, trying the city's signature Gourd Chicken, a whole fried chicken served in a gourd-shaped dish, along with other local specialties.

Throughout the video, Mark shares his personal insights and emotional responses to the food and the city. He highlights the unique cooking methods, the local interactions, and the authentic experiences that make Xi'an's culinary scene so special. The video is a celebration of the rich flavors, vibrant atmosphere, and cultural heritage of Xi'an, offering viewers a glimpse into the daily life and culinary traditions of this ancient city. The video showcases Mark's enthusiasm for exploring different cultures through food, providing a captivating and engaging narrative for viewers.

Xi'an Food Tour: Street Eats & Local Cuisine

Lixiangyang's Hulatang & Fried Dumpling (东新街李向阳糊辣汤) - We’re starting with a very popular Muslim breakfast stall that’s famous for dumpling buns - 4 RMB ($0.56) for 5, hulatang (hot and spicy soup) - 9 RMB ($1.26), and some of the best Chinese vegetable pockets - Price - 5 RMB ($0.70) that I’ve ever...

Xi'an Street Food Tour: Biang Biang Noodles & Gourd Chicken

Mark Wiens' Xi'an food adventure began with a Muslim breakfast stall, savoring dumplings, hulatang (hot and spicy soup), and vegetable pockets. He then sampled a vegetarian Chinese burger. Xi'an's City Wall, a historical landmark, was also visited. A unique sticky rice dessert, Jing Gao, added sweetness to the journey. The culinary exploration continued with Biang Biang noodles, though not hand-pulled at this location. A legendary Roujiamo (meat sandwich) from Wangkui's Burger followed, before concluding with a sit-down meal featuring Xi'an's famous Gourd chicken at Chang'an Da Paidang. The entire experience showcased Xi'an's diverse and delicious food scene.

Attractions in this video: Xian City Wall, Terracotta Army