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Muslim Quarter (Hui Min Jie)

Xi'an's most famous food street, offering a vibrant mix of Islamic and Chinese culinary traditions

Muslim Quarter Guide

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Muslim Quarter Overview

A comprehensive guide to the Muslim Quarter, Xi'an's most famous food and cultural street.

The Muslim Quarter (回民街/Hui Min Jie) is Xi'an's most famous food street and cultural area, located near the Drum Tower in the Lianhu District. The area has been home to Xi'an's Hui Muslim community for over 1,000 years and offers a vibrant mix of Islamic and Chinese culinary traditions. From roujiamo (meat sandwiches) to yangrou paomo (lamb soup with bread), it's a paradise for food lovers exploring authentic Xi'an flavors.

The quarter consists of several interconnected streets and alleys, with the main food streets being Beiyuanmen, Hongbu Street, and Sajinqiao. The area comes alive in the evening when hundreds of food stalls open, filling the air with the aromas of grilled meats, spices, and freshly baked bread. Beyond food, visitors can explore the Great Mosque, traditional markets, and shops selling souvenirs and local specialties.

1,000+

Years of History

100+

Food Stalls

Free

Admission

Lianhu District

Street vendors open from morning

Free admission

Year-round

Must-Try Local Foods

1. Jinggao (Sticky Rice Cake): Sweet, chewy, date-stretched. Serve hot. Get the ¥5 small portion first — popular shops sell out fast. Avoid overly sweet or hard-textured ones; look for trusted brands like 胖子甑糕.
2. Grilled Skewers (烤肉): Cumin-seasoned, charred outside and tender inside. ¥1/skewer. Self-service, staff circulate — solo-friendly. Pitfall: popular stalls have long queues; some lamb can be gamey.
3. Beef/Lamb Paomo (泡馍): Rich broth, tender meat, chewy bread. Hand-tear to soybean size for maximum flavor. Huge portions — order small first; pair with candied garlic to cut richness.
4. Stir-fried Paomo (小炒泡馍): Tangy, spicy, meaty with tomatoes and fungus. Tear bread to nail-head size. Strong, salty flavor — expect queues at meal times.
5. Sour Plum Drink (酸梅汤): Perfect match for heavy food. Choose freshly-brewed (not powder). Serve iced. Note: some find it smoky or medicinal-tasting.
6. Meatball Hu Spicy Soup (肉丸胡辣汤): Local breakfast staple — thick broth, bouncy beefballs, chili oil. Eat with tuo-tuo bread (break into pieces and soak). Spicy and thick — may not suit all visitors.
7. Crispy Pork (小酥肉): 定家小酥肉 at 大皮院 — beef tenderloin fried then steamed. Mixed reviews: some find it too salty or with too much batter. Big portions.
8. Shijia Steamed Buns (石家包子): Must-try: cumin beef buns — smoky and juicy. Other flavors are average. Note: rude service; go to the main branch early.
9. Zhiliang Soup Dumplings (灌汤蒸饺): Chive-beef dumplings — thin skin, rich soup. Sip the broth first! Pair with their sweet eight-treasure porridge. Queues at meal times; eat hot.
10. Mung Bean Cake (绿豆糕): Halal classic — date paste and other flavors, low sugar, dense. Great souvenir. Pitfall: dry and crumbly; best fresh, short shelf life.