When it comes to Xi’an, two remarkable aspects are simply impossible to overlook: its profound historical charm and its rich culinary scene. Ancient landscapes and historical relics are scattered all around, as if every step you take leads you through time, treading on the veins of history. As for the cuisine, it serves as another iconic calling card of Xi’an. Thanks to its glorious history as the capital of multiple dynasties, especially during the prosperous Qin and Tang dynasties when numerous foreign states paid tribute, diverse ethnic cultures collided and integrated here, giving birth to a wide variety of flavorful snacks. Each bite is an ultimate temptation to the taste buds, leaving an aftertaste that lingers long in your memory.
If you’re fortunate enough to visit this ancient yet vibrant city, whether for travel or business, I sincerely recommend ten must – eat snacks in Xi’an. Such authentic flavors are rarely found elsewhere, so don’t miss out!
1. Osmanthus Cake
Osmanthus cake, a resplendent gem in the gustatory realm of the ancient city of Xi’an, is akin to a wisp of unexpected tenderness that descends in autumn. It’s the harmonious outcome of the “dance” among glutinous rice, osmanthus blossoms, and candied dates. Through the magic of meticulous steaming, it’s transformed into a dulcet symphony of sweetness.
The instant it enters your mouth, the soft and sticky texture of glutinous rice, the fragrant aroma of osmanthus, and the sweet flavor of candied dates blend together, spinning a hymn dedicated to autumn. Sweet yet not overly sugary, it teases the taste buds exquisitely, as if capable of instantly banishing all worries and fatigue. When the last hint of sweetness slides down your throat, the lingering fragrance lingers on, suffusing your mouth with the scent of osmanthus. It’s as if you’re wandering through an osmanthus – filled forest in the golden autumn, so intoxicating that you’re loath to rouse from this delightful reverie for a long, long time.
2. Rice Noodles
When it comes to Xi’an cuisine, although Liangpi (cold noodles) is well – known far and wide, it is the Qinzhen Rice Noodles that truly touch the depths of one’s soul. This authentic flavor is a rare delicacy that’s hard to find outside of the region.
Among the diners, those with a penchant for spicy food will surely ask the shopkeeper to add a few more spoons of the chili oil, hailed as the “soul of Shaanxi”. As the tender and soft texture of the rice noodles intertwines with the mellow aroma of the chili oil on the tongue, the crispness of bean sprouts joins this symphony of flavors in a timely manner. The three elements blend to compose an unforgettable paean to food. Each bite is an ultimate temptation to the taste buds, as if it can instantly awaken dormant taste memories. It makes people fall in love at the first taste, get addicted at the second, and be unable to resist having more.
3. Chinese Spiced Beef Burger
In the heart of this ancient city lies a must – try delicacy, the Chinese Spiced Beef Burger. This burger is extraordinary. What it contains is not only an abundance of ingredients but also the unique craftsmanship. The chef, with skilled hands, gently lays thick and tender slices of spiced beef inside the bun. This beef, having been slowly stewed over time, has become as soft and silky as strands, exuding a savory aroma. It’s like a work of art jointly crafted by nature and time. Each bite is an ultimate temptation to the taste buds.
Paired with a bowl of steaming hot vermicelli soup, the soup has a clear color with an inviting sheen of oil. The vermicelli is smooth without being greasy, and the soup base is rich and mellow. The warmth that the two combine to create is enough to dispel the fatigue and chill of the journey. For diners with a hearty appetite, two burgers and a bowl of soup represent the ultimate delicacy in the world. Besides satisfying their hunger, it also adds a sense of contentment and comfort. Even for those with a smaller appetite, just one burger, with its generous filling of beef, is enough to amaze them with the ample portion. The substantial feeling makes people can’t help but sigh that this is not just a meal, but also a reflection of the Xi’an people’s love and dedication to life.
4. Sour Soup Dumplings
If you’re fortunate enough to visit the ancient capital of Xi’an, I sincerely recommend that you must try the Sour Soup Dumplings, which offer an unforgettable aftertaste. Just imagine, dumplings we usually have are mostly served dry – mixed or in clear soup. However, the Sour Soup Dumplings in Xi’an are like a bright spot in winter. The combination of sour and spicy flavors awakens the dormant taste buds, and the curling aroma lingers in the air for days.
Whether it’s the delicious leek – and – pork filling or the rich mutton – and – scallion filling, each kind of filling seems to be given new life in this carefully – prepared sour soup. Their encounter with the sour soup is not just a feast for the taste buds but also a comfort to the soul. Every bite is an ultimate temptation to the taste buds, making people unable to resist taking spoonful after spoonful until the bowl is emptied.
5. Hulu Tou Paomo
As the world knows, the ancient city of Xi’an is the capital of noodles, renowned far and wide for its unparalleled flavors. Among this dazzling array of noodle feasts, Hulu Tou Paomo holds a special place in my heart. Hulu Tou Paomo is truly an excellent choice to satisfy both hunger and cravings. The preparation of the pork intestine in this dish is nothing short of remarkable. All unpleasant odors are completely removed, leaving only a rich and mellow aroma. It is fatty but not greasy, tender yet chewy, just like the gentle touch of autumn breeze, exquisitely delicate and leaving an aftertaste that lingers.
If you’re a fan of pork intestine, then a steaming – hot serving of Hulu Tou alone will surely leave you fully satisfied. Look at the freshly – cooked delicacy, steaming hot, like a fairyland veiled in mist. Dip it in a bit of the pungent and savory mashed garlic, and each bite is an ultimate temptation to the taste buds. The taste is so addictive that you can’t help but exclaim in delight! Hulu Tou Paomo is not just a bowl of noodles; it’s a unique flavor memory of the city of Xi’an, making it unforgettable and leaving you longing for more.
6. Meatball Hu Spicy Soup
When it comes to Hu Spicy Soup, the world knows it as a precious gem of Henan, with a flavor all its own. However, in the early morning light of the ancient capital Xi’an, there lies a different Hu Spicy Soup legend – Meatball Hu Spicy Soup. The essence of this soup lies in those plump and rich – textured pure beef meatballs, which are like the freshest dewdrops on the prairie, condensing the essence of the earth. Dancing with them are the emerald – green of cabbage, the orange – yellow of carrots, the freshness of beans, and the softness of potatoes. These colorful vegetables are like fairies on a palette, adding a bit of vitality and layers to this bowl of soup.
When tasting it, a spoonful of bright – red chili oil gently drops into the bowl, like a fierce fire meeting cold ice, instantly stimulating the potential of everything in the soup. Paired with two freshly – baked flatbreads, diners can either be as elegant as the ancients, carefully breaking the bread into small pieces and gently scattering them on the surface of the soup. Each piece bears the awe and anticipation for delicious food. Or they can be bold and unrestrained, chewing vigorously, allowing the crispness of the bread to blend and collide with the richness of the soup in the mouth. That sense of satisfaction reaches straight to the heart, leaving an aftertaste that lingers long.
7. Rinsed Tripe
Upon entering the ancient capital of Xi’an, although barbecue is enticing, it pales in comparison to the hidden treasure in the barbecue restaurants – rinsed tripe. It’s like a stunning presence in the food world, a must – try! On the city’s gustatory map, it stands out, captivating the hearts and taste buds of countless diners, all because of its unique flavor that’s hard to find elsewhere.
Imagine, although rinsed tripe can be found across the country, only in Xi’an can this ordinary ingredient be transformed into something extraordinary. Each slice of tripe is a gift from nature. Through the hands of skilled craftsmen, it gracefully dances in the boiling pot. The art of dipping it in and out seven to eight times is not only a precise control of the cooking time but also an ultimate temptation to the taste buds.
8. Qiaoqiao Noodles
When it comes to the origin of Qiaoqiao Noodles, it bears the whispers of history. It is derived from the ancient Turkic word “tutmaq”, and its transliteration is the exotic – sounding “Tutumoosi”. This is not merely a simple name for a bowl of noodles. Instead, it is a testament to cultural integration, a Silk Road on the taste buds. Appearing plain and unadorned, Qiaoqiao Noodles are actually the result of meticulous craftsmanship. Each piece of Qiaoqiao Noodles embodies Lao Zhang’s respect for ingredients and dedication to his craft. They are carefully hand – rolled. Despite their small size, they contain profound significance.
Whether they are simmered in a rich and warm soup base or stir – fried to bring out a rich aroma, Qiaoqiao Noodles can always awaken every cell of the taste buds with their unique chewy texture. They are filled with a delicious and fragrant flavor, leaving a lingering aftertaste.
9. Cumin – flavored Minced Chicken Burger
The Cumin – flavored Minced Chicken Burger is like a romantic encounter between taste and health. With cumin as the medium, green peppers as companions, and low – fat chicken breast, they jointly perform a light dance on the tip of the tongue. The unique aroma of cumin is like a breeze in the desert, penetrating the warmth of the bun and awakening the deep – seated desires of the taste buds. The green peppers, with their vibrant green color, add a bit of vitality and freshness to this feast, just like the newly – bloomed flowers in spring, fresh and full of charm.
The chicken breast, a top – notch ingredient in the low – fat category, with the warm embrace of cumin and the gentle company of green peppers, transforms into the soul of the burger. Every bite is the ultimate pursuit of lightness and deliciousness. The Cumin – flavored Minced Chicken Burger, with its unique charm, has become a beautiful sight on the streets of Xi’an. It also provides an excellent choice for diners who seek both health and deliciousness.
10. Fried Dough Twists in Savory Tea Soup
Fried Dough Twists in Savory Tea Soup is a poetic symphony of flavors that leisurely unfolds among the alleys of the ancient city of Xi’an. It is a rare and heart – warming comfort in the morning light. As the first rays of dawn break, the melodious and enticing cries of street vendors faintly waft through the air, like the whispers of the ancient streets, summoning every slumbering soul. People follow the sound, eager for a bowl of the steaming and fragrant Fried Dough Twists in Savory Tea Soup. A moment’s delay might mean this authentic delicacy becomes someone else’s blissful taste.
Having a bowl of Fried Dough Twists in Savory Tea Soup is not just a feast for the taste buds but also a solace for the soul. The warmth spreads from the tip of the tongue to the bottom of the heart, as if it can dispel all fatigue and chill, invigorating people and making the whole world seem brighter. In the morning light of Xi’an, Fried Dough Twists in Savory Tea Soup is more than just a snack. It is a unique symbol of the city’s memories, an extraordinary taste of happiness in ordinary days.
