What to get from X'ian if you're from LA

Question

In my rare trips to NYC, I've never bothered to eat in a Chinese restaurant. I figured what could I be missing being from LA. Was never interested in NY-style Chinese like Chop Suey, etc. 

However, this time I want to visit X'ian - almost just to say I've been. What should I get from there? Not the biggest lamb fan so I'm a little hesitant to get the lamb burger. Other suggestions please?


One more thing: Motorino Pizza or South Brooklyn Pizza (in east village)?

Answer

There are many pork dishes that kill at Xi'an. And I'm not sure you guys have anything comparable to them in LA, so it wouldn't be a wasted trip.

The Mt. Qi Pork Noodles are a personal favorite. I've noticed they don't make them as spicy as they used to (catering to American tastes, I guess) but they're still booming with flavor, and you can ask for it extra spicy if you want... though you always run the risk of them going overboard if you do that.

My main recommendation would be to go to the location at the East Broadway Mall (the entrance is technically on Forsyth, even though the address listed is 88 East Broadway) - it'd be the least busy. There's a standing counter to eat at, but if it's full you can take your food to go and sit under the Manhattan bridge and eat there, or in any number of nearby little parks.

Answer

Motorino is excellent but closer in spirit to something like Mozza. Whole pies only. Sit down.

South Brooklyn is closer to traditional gas oven NY, but not precisely. It's a slice joint, though, so you could conceivably just do it as a snack in between meals. More of a takeout style place.

Answer

Liang pi noodles, cumin scented lamb noodles, lamb burger and South Brooklyn Pizza. I found Motorino to be meh.

Answer

At Xi'an, don't miss out on the liang pi noodles or the spicy tingly beef if you're a fan of Sichuan peppercorns. If you want to be converted to lamb love, you ought to give the lamb face salad a try. The dressing alone makes it all worthwhile.

For all it's popularity, I have never been a fan of the burgers. The one-note cumin flavor that seems to be popular in Western Chinese grilling seems rather dull to me.

Answer

I recommend both kinds of noodles. They have liang pi (cold skin) which uses wheat flour and rice flour, I think. The hand-ripped noodles are wheat noodles. You can get them with pork or spongy wheat gluten pieces. There is a pork burger too if you don't like lamb but want a burger (it's ok... meaty and cheap).

Answer

The cumin lamb hand ripped noodles (the ones not in a soup) are my favorite dish there. I'll usually get that and a bowl of paomo - lamb broth soup with chopped pieces of bread in it. That and a cup of suanmeitang (sour plum drink).

Answer

As a vegetarian, I religiously get the N8, the Spicy Hot Oil Noodles, as well as the Tiger Vegetable Salad. Even if you don't order the N8, I highly recommend the salad as a refreshing contrast to the noodles... Might have convinced me to go tonight...

Answer

toss together in a bowl, then eat:

liang pi, extra spicy
lamb leg, extra spicy
tiger veggies, extra spicy

win.

Answer

Go for the lamb burger. It doesn't taste like lamb. And it's cheap. Some of the menu overlaps with Shaanxi Gourmet in San Gabriel, but the lamb burger doesn't.

Answer

I'd agree, spiciness is inconsistant for each location. I can handle Xi'an's best, so I generally ask for extra spicy for everything... As for Motorino vs. South Brooklyn, go to Motorino for the pie, but check out South Brooklyn Pizza for the design (it's close to my pizza joint dream)... I love the mozz and tomatoes etc on display.

Answer

I agree with those that say spicing has been inconsistent. I learned to order extra spicy. I end up getting the spice level that it used to be before they expanded.

Answer

Lamb Dumplings. They just added them to the menu at Bayard street, I know because I go there once a week. Fantastic. Six plump thick skinned but tender dumplings bathed in a hot and sour puddle sprinkled with black and white sesame seeds and some slivers of green. Slow burn/tingle.

Topics

Locations

Your post has been published!

What to get from X'ian if you're from LA

More from Chowhound

Guides

The Ultimate Spring Produce Guide: What's in Season & How to Use It

Recipe Round-Ups

Quick and Easy Instant Pot Breakfast Recipes for Less Morning Stress

Guides

How to Care for Enameled Cast Iron So It Lasts a Lifetime

Home

The Best Tool to Clean a Wood Cutting Board Is Probably in Your Compost Bin

Trending Discussions

Favorite Chowhound Memories

A Final Goodbye for Chowhound

Chowhound Recipes That You are Saving

Food52: Goodbye to Chowhound, the Internet’s First Food Hub

NY Times: Chowhound Closes After 25 Years of Food Obsession, Wisdom and Debate

Quick Links

Latest Discussions

Cookbook of the Month

Dish of the Month

Weekly Menu Planning

Get fresh food news delivered to your inbox

12 Irish Foods to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day That Aren’t Corned Beef and Cabbage

Chowhound

Policies

Community

Editorial

Content