Xi'an food tour
XI'AN FOOD TOUR - For centuries, every camel train heading west from China set out from Xi'an, and everything that came back along the Silk Road ended up on its tables. Cumin, sesame, lamb and flatbread travelled here from Central Asia and never left, thanks in large part to the city's Hui Muslim community, whose cooks have been feeding this ancient capital for more than a thousand years. As the sun sets and the neon flickers on, the streets fill with smoke, sizzle and the clatter of plastic stools.
Over four hours and 15+ tastings, we're eating our way through Xi'an's busiest evening food streets and hidden back alleys, with a tuk tuk ride along the way and a bubbling hot pot to finish.
First, warm up with a crispy scallion beef pancake, xiang su niurou bing, its coiled layers shattering with every bite, paired with stir-fried jelly noodles, chao liangfen, and a glass of fresh pomegranate juice. Next, follow the smoke to a neighbourhood grill for sizzling beef and lamb skewers, kao niurou chuan and kao yangrou chuan, alongside beef tripe and tofu skin, stir-fried eggs with green peppers and roasted kao nang flatbread crusted with cumin and sesame. It's a taste of Central Asia, right in the heart of China.
Then wander down bustling Beiyuanmen for the dish that defines Xi'an: yangrou paomo, a rich mutton stew poured over torn flatbread, served with a plate of lotus root and spiced tofu and an icy Bingfeng orange soda. Nearby, brave a soup-filled stinky tofu, guantang choudoufu, then sample fenzheng niurou, tender beef steamed in spiced rice flour.
Jump aboard our tuk tuks and rattle through the back alleys to a local favourite for delicate soup dumplings, filled with mutton or beef and leek. Careful, they're very hot. Alongside them comes hulu ji, a fried chicken recipe dating back to the Tang dynasty, and youpo mian, hand-pulled noodles crowned with chilli and seared with smoking hot oil.
Still hungry? Good. We're not finished yet. Grab a zhouzhi roujiamo, a braised pork burger from a much-loved street vendor, washed down with chilled laozao fermented rice wine.
Finish in the shadow of the glowing Bell Tower with one final feast: a dual-flavour hot pot of tomato and spicy broth, loaded with beef shank, Inner Mongolian lamb and golden enoki mushrooms, served with an ice-cold beer.
Why this tour is awesome
Over four hours and 15+ tastings, we'll explore Xi'an's busiest evening food streets and hidden back alleys, with a tuk tuk ride along the way.
Expect sizzling lamb and beef skewers, rich mutton paomo, delicate soup dumplings and seared youpo noodles. Along the way, discover the Silk Road traditions and Hui Muslim heritage that shaped Xi'an's food, before finishing with a bubbling hot pot beside the Bell Tower.
Taste your way through Xi'an with 15+ tastings, from Silk Road skewers to a bubbling hot pot.
Explore the ancient capital at the eastern end of the Silk Road.
Coiled dough, ready to become a crispy scallion beef pancake.
Layering spiced beef and scallions into each pancake by hand.
The food heroes of Xi'an.
Roasted nang flatbread, crusted with cumin and sesame.
Locals pull up red stools for dinner on the street.
Beiyuanmen lights up as the evening crowds arrive.
Yangrou paomo, rich mutton stew with torn flatbread.
Soup-filled stinky tofu, in gold and black.
Hop aboard a tuk tuk through the back alleys.
Delicate soup dumplings, served in a carved wooden box.
Tang dynasty fried chicken, crisp, golden and full of history.
Biangbiang noodles, with chilli seared in hot oil.
Brick-fronted eateries glow as evening falls.
Tender braised pork, chopped fresh for a roujiamo burger.
Laozao fermented rice wine, stirred over the flames.
The Bell Tower, glowing over the heart of the city.
End your culinary journey with a glorious dual-flavour hot pot.
Includes
- Price US $75 per person
- Language English
- Small group Maximum of 8 guests (private tours or groups of 9+, please contact us)
- Tastings 15+ tastings
- Drinks Bottled water, local drinks and a beer
- Duration 6pm - 10pm
- Guide Led by one of our superb Xi'an food hosts
- Cancellation Cancel up to 48 hours before departure for a full refund
- Family friendly Families welcome on all our tours. Children 50% discount.
- Transport Predominately walking, though a tuk tuk is used for part of the tour
- Instant confirmation Book now to secure your space (before we sell out!)
- Pick up / drop off Our guests come from all over the city, so to save time we have a meeting point. Your guide can help you find transport back at the end of the tour
Dietary information
- General advice Many local eateries specialise in signature menus, and may not have alternatives. It is not always possible to cater for all dietary requests at every stop
- Vegetarian Possible, though meat is used in 10 tastings (out of 20 total), with backup tastings available for 8 of them
- Vegan Unsuitable as meat and other animal products are used in most tastings
- Pescatarian Possible, though meat is used in 8 tastings (out of 20 total), with backup tastings available for 6 of them
- Pork Possible, though pork is used in 1 tasting (out of 20 total)
- Halal Unsuitable as not all vendors are halal-certified, and pork and alcohol are served
- Gluten intolerance / Celiac Unsuitable as gluten is present in 10 tastings (out of 20 total)
- Lactose intolerance Possible, as no dairy is listed in the tastings on this tour
- Tree nut / peanut allergy Possible, though please tell us in advance as nuts may be used in sauces and dressings
- Seafood / Shellfish allergy Suitable for no seafood diets
- Severe allergies Due to the nature of street food cooking, we can never guarantee any dish to be 100% free from allergens, as there is always the risk of traces and cross-contamination. It is unsuitable for severe allergies. Contact us: info@achefstour.com
How to book
To join our Xi'an food tour, use the calendar above to select your preferred date, and secure your tour with your card. For special requests, private bookings, or dietary requirements, please contact us. Safety of our customers is our first priority, so if you have any food allergies, please contact us before booking.
What to expect
This tour is designed for adventurous eaters with an interest in discovering the food locals eat. Itβs mostly walking tour where the pace is gentle, the terrain flat and there are plenty of rest (eating) stops along the way. Join us on the best Xi'an food tour in the city, you won't regret it.
Meeting point
Meet in the lobby of theΒ Grand Dynasty Culture Hotel. It's easy to reach either on foot from most hotels, or via taxi. There will be more details on your booking voucher.Β
Cancellation Policy
Why you should book with us
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99% 5 star reviews across our tours -
Secure payments through provider Peek
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No hidden charges - all food tastings included in the price
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Authentic food experience, escape the tourist traps