Forget the flashy neon lights and overpriced stalls of the main tourist street. To truly taste Xi'an, step into the maze of back alleys where the locals live and eat. Join a food-loving local guide for a 2-hour gastronomic adventure through the heart of the Muslim Quarter.
Eat like a local, not a tourist. Many first-time visitors feel overwhelmed by the commercial atmosphere of the Muslim Quarter. The mission is simple: to take you where the locals actually eat. This is a small-group social experience designed for sharing. Enjoy a “family-style” sharing approach, allowing your group to sample a vast array of flavours without getting full too quickly.
The centrepiece of the journey is Xi'an’s most iconic dish: Yangrou Paomo (mutton soup with crumbled bread). But here’s the twist—you’ll do the work. Your guide will teach you the traditional art of crumbling your own leavened bread into tiny, pea-sized pieces to ensure the broth soaks in perfectly.
Also, discover a local secret: Chao Paomo (stir-fried Paomo). Choose between beef or mutton, stir-fried with eggs, wood ear mushrooms, and vermicelli in a savoury, spicy, and sour sauce. It’s a flavour bomb that most tourists miss.
As you wander through the vibrant alleys, your guide will point out seasonal snacks and heritage crafts. Depending on the group's cravings, you might stop for sizzling lamb skewers seasoned with heavy cumin and chilli, honey glutinous rice (Fengmi Zongzi) for a sweet, cooling treat, Zengao, the famous steamed sticky rice with dates, or steamed dumplings or hand-pulled snacks that define the Silk Road heritage.
