Th & Su at 9am, Duration 3 hours
Xian Morning Food Tour
$55 USD per adult, $39 USD per child
Tuktuk + 30 minutes walking
The Essentials:
The Muslim quarter is full of eateries that consistently sell out before lunch, one of China’s oldest and largest markets, and sensory experiences you have to be there in person to believe. See how many times you can be surprised in 3 hours on this morning tour that covers Xian breakfast staples you won’t find anywhere else in China.
Stops
5+ safe-to-eat restaurants and street stalls, plus a bunch of surprises while strolling through Xian’s sprawling morning market.
Group Size
Small groups of 2-10 people per tour.
Start & End Location
This tour starts at Xi Hua Men Fire Station, near the Bell Tower. An email will be sent with meeting location details immediately after booking. The tour ends near Sajinqiao subway station.
Cancellation Policy
Reservations cancelled 24 hours or more before your tour start time are fully refundable.
Dietary Requests
- Dairy Free
- No Spicy
- No Nuts
- Halal
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten Free
We can accommodate the checked dietary requests on this tour. All requests must be communicated at time of booking. Visit our FAQ section for more details.
What You'll Do:
Meeting Location:
This tour starts at Xi Hua Men Fire Station, which is about a 5 minute walk from Xian’s Bell Tower. An email will be sent with meeting location details immediately after booking.
Fried Beef Pancakes
Our first stop is equally incredible to watch and taste. These savory beef pancakes are seasoned with spices like fennel, cumin, and Sichuan peppercorn, and are rolled up and fried resulting in flaky croissant-like layers. Always made fresh every morning until sold out!
Hot & Sour Soup
Get a bowl of Xian’s favorite breakfast: a thick soup made with blend of tangy vinegar, spicy chili, and rich broth – then filled with meatballs and whatever root vegetables are available. Garnished with fresh cilantro, a dollop of homemade chili sauce, and some local pita bread, this is a truly local experience.
Explore the Muslim Quarter Market
Step out of our tuktuks for a 30 minute walk through one of China’s oldest and largest markets – with a guide that can speak the local dialect. Sprawling throughout the hidden backstreets of Xian’s Muslim quarter, you’ll be shocked at the amount of what you’ll find here, which is sure to surprise all of the senses.
Persimmon Cakes & Local Sweets
Persimmons are possibly Xian’s (and our!) favorite fruit. Visit an uncle who harvests his own orchard in late autumn and uses the fruit to make fried persimmon cakes that locals line up for every day. Then visit a mom ‘n pop shop that makes Muslim desserts from scratch.
Handmade Sour Dumplings
This husband and wife team have been feeding their neighbors Xian’s famous sour dumplings for decades. Filled with meat, the dumplings are characterized by their tangy broth infused with Chinese black vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and chili oil. Give them a big smile and they may even let you try making some of your own!
Plus More Surprises!
* This itinerary is subject to changes and adjustments based on daily vendor operations and availability, but it will always be awesome.
There's the side of Xian's Muslim quarter for tourists (you'll know it when you see it), and then there's the side that isn't.
And because the former isn’t trying to woo any repeat customers, you know the food is 1000% better at the latter. Learn about the vendors and chefs that make up this incredible community, and see why they’re a vibrant part of continuing a legacy of culture in Xian that has stood the test of time.
On this tour, you’ll dive deep into the backstreets of Xian’s Muslim quarter (covering 2+ square km!), visit the local vendors that serve their neighbors, and visit one of China’s oldest markets that sprawl throughout this area every week.
Featured In:
One of the Best Things to do in Xian
In addition to trying some of the best eats in the neighborhood, you’ll also have the chance to learn about the history of this community and get to meet some of the people who make the best biang biang noodles (so named for the loud way they slam onto the table) and Eight Treasures congee, which was a staple of travelers along the Silk Road thanks to its easy-to-haul ingredients like nuts, spices and seeds.
Watch:
Take a close look at our Xian Morning Food Tour and what you’ll experience in our own Lost Plate produced video.
