Xi'an Famous Foods: Authentic Chinese Cuisine in Chelsea, NYC

Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃 | Chelsea Introduce

In a city as diverse as New York, few restaurants have achieved the cult following and widespread acclaim of Xi'an Famous Foods. This chain, which began as a humble stall in Flushing, has become a culinary institution, celebrated for bringing the unique and bold flavors of Xi'an, a city in the Shaanxi province of China, to a mainstream American audience. The Chelsea location, like its counterparts, offers an authentic and delicious experience that is both affordable and incredibly satisfying.

Xi'an Famous Foods is not your typical Chinese restaurant. It specializes in the distinct regional cuisine of Xi'an, which is known for its hearty, often spicy, and savory dishes. The star of the show is the hand-ripped "biangbiang" noodles, a thick and chewy noodle that serves as the perfect vessel for the rich sauces and flavorful meats. The atmosphere is casual and trendy, making it a popular spot for a quick lunch or a casual dinner. It's a place that draws a diverse crowd, from college students to tourists, all united by their craving for these legendary noodles and burgers.

The restaurant prides itself on maintaining the authenticity of its family recipes, passed down through generations. This commitment to tradition, combined with an efficient, no-frills service model, has earned it a loyal following and a reputation as a must-try spot in the city. When you're looking for a quick, delicious, and budget-friendly meal that packs a serious punch of flavor, Xi'an Famous Foods is the place to be.

Location and Accessibility

The Chelsea branch of Xi'an Famous Foods is located at 96 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011, USA. This prime location places it in one of Manhattan's most dynamic neighborhoods, easily accessible by a number of subway lines and bus routes. Its central position makes it a convenient stop for anyone exploring Chelsea, whether they're visiting the High Line, the Chelsea Market, or the nearby art galleries.

The restaurant is committed to being accessible to all. It features a wheelchair-accessible entrance and offers wheelchair-accessible seating, ensuring that every customer can enjoy their meal comfortably. For those driving, both free and paid street parking options are available in the surrounding area, though, as with all of NYC, it can be a challenge.

Services Offered

Xi'an Famous Foods operates on a simple and efficient service model to cater to its fast-paced clientele.

Dine-in: The restaurant has seating available for a quick and casual dine-in experience. Customers typically order at a counter or from a self-service screen and find a seat.
Takeout: Takeout is a major part of the business, with food packed quickly and efficiently for those on the go.
Delivery: For the ultimate convenience, the Chelsea location offers delivery, allowing you to enjoy their famous noodles and burgers from the comfort of your home or office.
Counter Service: The ordering process is streamlined with counter service, often using digital kiosks, which ensures your food comes out fast and hot.

Features and Highlights

Xi'an Famous Foods is a standout in the NYC food scene for several key reasons that have contributed to its legendary status.

Authentic Xi'an Cuisine: The restaurant specializes in the unique culinary traditions of Xi'an, bringing a truly authentic taste of that region to New York. The bold, spicy, and savory flavors are a refreshing departure from typical Americanized Chinese food.
Hand-Ripped Noodles: The star attraction is the restaurant's hand-ripped "biangbiang" noodles. These thick, chewy noodles are made fresh daily and are an absolute must-try for their unique texture and ability to hold sauce.
Affordable Prices: Despite its massive popularity, Xi'an Famous Foods remains remarkably affordable, especially for New York City standards. You can get a hearty and delicious meal for a very reasonable price.
Comfort Food with a Kick: The menu is filled with classic comfort food dishes that are elevated by the addition of their signature chili oil, cumin, and other spices, providing a comforting and exciting flavor profile.
Speedy Service: The ordering and food preparation process is incredibly fast, making it the perfect spot for a quick bite during a busy day.

Contact Information

Address: 96 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011, USA
Phone: (212) 786-2068

What is Worth Choosing

The menu at Xi'an Famous Foods, though focused, is full of delicious and iconic dishes that are well worth trying. For first-timers, here's a guide to the must-have items.

The most famous dish on the menu, and a true icon of the restaurant, is the Spicy Cumin Lamb Hand-Ripped Noodles. This is the dish that put Xi'an Famous Foods on the map, celebrated by food critics and Anthony Bourdain alike. The tender, sautéed lamb, spiced with fiery cumin and chili, is tossed with the signature chewy hand-ripped noodles, creating a flavor bomb that is spicy, savory, and unforgettable. It’s a dish that perfectly encapsulates the essence of Xi'an cuisine.

Another essential order is the Stewed Pork Burger. This isn't a typical American burger; it's a Xi'an specialty known as rou jia mo. Succulent, slow-cooked pork is diced and stuffed into a warm, crispy flatbread-like bun. It’s a simple yet incredibly satisfying item that offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors.

For a lighter, yet equally flavorful option, you must try the Liang Pi "Cold Skin Noodles". These cold, chewy wheat flour noodles are a classic Xi'an street food. They are tossed with a tangy and spicy sauce, fresh cucumbers, and bean sprouts. It's a refreshing and vibrant dish that is perfect for a hot day or as a counterpoint to the richer, spicier items. The Stir-Fried Liang Pi is a delicious alternative for those who prefer their noodles hot.

The dumplings are also a highlight. The Spicy & Sour Lamb Dumplings and the Spicy & Sour Pork & Cabbage Dumplings are filled with flavorful meat and served with a signature spicy and sour sauce. They offer a delightful bite that showcases the restaurant's commitment to classic preparations.

To accompany your meal, consider a cold dish like the Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad for a refreshing crunch or a drink like the Hawberry Hibiscus Tea to cool down the heat. The restaurant also sells its famous Chili Oil & Crisps, allowing you to take home a jar of the signature flavor.

Xi'an Famous Foods is more than just a place for a quick meal; it's a destination for adventurous eaters and a comforting staple for those who have fallen in love with its unique flavors. The combination of authenticity, speed, and affordability makes it a true gem in New York City's culinary landscape.

Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃 | Chelsea Menu

Drinks
NANJI Hawberry Hibiscus Soda $2.95
Introducing our very own NANJI brand — a crisp, lightly sparkling sour hawberry hibiscus soda crafted to refresh and perfectly complement our bold, spicy flavors.
Coke $2.30
Please be sure to retrieve your own ordered drink(s) when picking up
NANJI Orange Soda $3.65
Introducing our very own NANJI brand — a crisp, lightly sparkling orange soda crafted to refresh and perfectly complement our bold, spicy flavors.
Hawberry Hibiscus Tea $2.95
Please be sure to retrieve your own ordered drink(s) when picking up
Jasmine Tea (Unsweetened) $2.95
Please be sure to retrieve your own ordered drink(s) when picking up
Bottle Water $1.85
Please be sure to retrieve your own ordered drink(s) when picking up
Chrysanthemum Tea $2.95
Please be sure to retrieve your own ordered drink(s) when picking up

[L] Cold Dishes
[L1] Tiger Vegetables Salad $6.85
[L2] Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad $6.85
Crispy Asian cucumbers, cut into bite-sized pieces and then smashed, perfect for scooping up our garlicky dressing of soy sauce and black vinegar. Topped with sliced chile (and chili oil) for a little extra heat. [Vegan]

[F] Other Specialties
[F6] Spicy & Sour Spinach Dumplings (7) $9.65
Our vegetarian dumplings, wrapped in spinach juice-dumpling dough, comes stuffed with ground spinach, wood-ear mushroom, seitan, carrots, cabbage, vermicelli, and egg for a surprisingly filling bite. Served alongside our savory-sour sauces, plus chili oil for kick. Seven pieces per order.
[F1] Chang'an Spicy Tofu Custard $4.35
Delicate house-made tofu, served warm with crunchy pickled vegetables, cilantro, and our sour-savory signature sauces. Chili oil highly recommended. [Vegan]
[F8] Spicy & Sour Pork & Cabbage Dumplings (7) $8.95
Our traditional pork and cabbage dumplings, wrapped in a carrot juice dumpling skin and served in our house sauces including soy sauce, black vinegar. Top with chili oil, sesame seeds, and cilantro for the full experience. Seven pieces per order.
[F4] Spicy & Sour Lamb Dumplings (7) $9.65
Our signature dumplings. Wrapped in homemade dumpling dough and filled with ground lamb, these dumplings are infused with spices for even more flavor. Served with our signature spicy and sour sauces. Seven pieces per order.
[F5] Spicy & Sour Lamb Dumplings In Soup (7) $10.35
Our signature dumplings. Wrapped in homemade dumpling dough and filled with ground lamb, these dumplings are infused with spices for even more flavor. Served in a spicy and sour lamb broth. Seven pieces per order. [Soup on the side is required for all DoorDash orders.]

Include Utensils?
Please Include Utensils $0.00
Please select this only if you wish for us to add disposable utensils to your order. If left unchecked, we will not include any utensils.

Extras
XFF Liang Pi Sauce Packet $1.60
Double check the store you've selected no picking up from different store, no refunds if mistaken. no later pickups. no requests except for omission of some ingredients. confirm w/ staff upon pickup if they were able to fulfill request(s).
Bun $2.05
Just the bread bun. no fillings. [vegan]
XFF Cookbook $32.00
Double check the store you've selected no picking up from different store, no refunds if mistaken. no later pickups. no requests except for omission of some ingredients. confirm w/ staff upon pickup if they were able to fulfill request(s).
XFF Chili Oil & Crisps Packet $2.75
3 fl. oz. packet of chili oil & crisps.
SMALL 8oz XFF Chili Oil & Crisps Jar $13.75
Bring a hit of xff flair to your home cooking with our signature chili sauce, used exclusively in our nyc stores. this small batch chili oil is still made personally by our founder. this chili oil looks red and scarily-spicy, but it is actually quite gentle, which accurately reflects the true flavor profile of xi’an and shaanxi region: fragrantly spicy , not burn-your-face-off-for-the-sake-of-it type of spicy once you try this, nothing else will compare. this is the 8oz small sized jar.
BIG 16oz XFF Chili Oil & Crisps Jar $17.75
Bring a hit of xff flair to your home cooking with our signature chili sauce, used exclusively in our nyc stores. this small batch chili oil is still made personally by our founder. this chili oil looks red and scarily-spicy, but it is actually quite gentle, which accurately reflects the true flavor profile of xi’an and shaanxi region: fragrantly spicy , not burn-your-face-off-for-the-sake-of-it type of spicy once you try this, nothing else will compare. this is the 16oz large sized jar.

[B] Burgers
[B2] Spicy Cumin Lamb Burger $6.95
Our signature sliced lamb, spiced with ground cumin and sauteed with red onions, scallions and garlic, gets an extra kick with red chile and longhorn peppers. Sandwiched in our house-made crispy flatbread.
[B1] Stewed Pork Burger $5.75
Our house-made crispy flatbread, stuffed with our diced stewed pork belly, simmered with soy sauce and our signature spices until tender.

[N/Ns] Hand-Ripped Noodles
[N3] Mount Qi Pork Hand-Ripped Noodles $12.15
Rich cubes of pork belly, stewed in a classic spicy and sour sauce of soy, black rice vinegar, and Sichuan peppercorns for a punch of tingly spice. Served over our hand-ripped noodles and tossed in our soy-vinegar noodle sauce and chili oil. [Noodles are packed separately from sauces and protein. Reheat protein by itself, then mix it with the noodles, the noodle sauce packet, and chili oil packet (if spicy) in the bowl with noodles and enjoy hot!]
[N1] Spicy Cumin Lamb Hand-Ripped Noodles $14.15
The dish that turned Anthony Bourdain into a fan. Thinly sliced lamb, spiced with cumin and chili powder, mixed with our chewy hand-pulled biang-biang noodles and topped with our soy-vinegar noodle sauce. An XFF original. Enjoyed spicy. [Noodles are packed separately from sauces and protein. Reheat protein by itself, then mix it with the noodles, the noodle sauce packet, and chili oil packet (if spicy) in the bowl with noodles and enjoy hot!]
[NS4] Stewed Pork Hand-Ripped Noodles In Soup $12.95
Pulled pork, simmered for hours in an aromatic soy broth with proprietary spices, served with our wide hand-pulled noodles, savory noodle broth, and signature sauces. Shown as spicy. [Noodles are packed separately from sauces, soup, and protein. Reheat the soup separately, and then pour into the noodles along with the noodle sauce packet and mix well. Then top with the protein, and enjoy hot!]
[N4] Stewed Pork Hand-Ripped Noodles $12.25
Our house pulled pork, stewed until tender in soy and sugar alongside proprietary spices. Served over chewy hand-ripped noodles mixed with our house noodle sauces of soy and black rice vinegar. Shown as spicy. [Noodles are packed separately from sauces and protein. Reheat protein by itself, then mix it with the noodles, the noodle sauce packet, and chili oil packet (if spicy) in the bowl with noodles and enjoy hot!]
[NS1] Spicy Cumin Lamb Hand-Ripped Noodles In Soup $14.85
Our famous spicy cumin lamb noodles, seasoned with ground cumin and chili powder, gets a homey update with savory lamb broth, our signature sauces, and chili oil. [Noodles are packed separately from sauces, soup, and protein. Reheat the soup separately, and then pour into the noodles along with the noodle sauce packet and mix well. Then top with the protein, and enjoy hot!]
[N8] Spicy Hot Oil Seared Hand-Ripped Noodles $12.15
A Xi’an classic, meant to be slurped sitting at stalls in the streets of Xi’an. Our chewy hand-ripped biang-biang noodles and heaps of aromatics and chili powder are flash-seared with smoking hot vegetable oil, then tossed to perfection in our house noodle sauce of soy sauce and black rice vinegar. This is the best way to experience our hand-pulled noodles without any fuss.
[NS3] Mount Qi Pork Hand-Ripped Noodles In Soup $12.85
Rich cubes of pork belly, stewed in a classic spicy and sour sauce of soy, black rice vinegar, and Sichuan peppercorns for a punch of tingly spice. Served with our hand-ripped noodles, savory noodle broth, and signature sauces and chili oil. [Noodles are packed separately from sauces, soup, and protein. Reheat the soup separately, and then pour into the noodles along with the noodle sauce packet and mix well. Then top with the protein, and enjoy hot!]
[N9] Pork "Zha Jiang" Hand-Ripped Noodles $11.75
Our version of zha jiang mian. Wide hand-ripped noodles mixed with a savory-sweet ground pork meat sauce, garnished with fresh crunchy cucumbers and our house noodles dressings of soy and black rice vinegar. Shown as spicy. [Noodles are packed separately from sauces and protein. Reheat protein by itself, then mix it with the noodles, the noodle sauce packet, and chili oil packet (if spicy) in the bowl with noodles and enjoy hot!]
[N2] Spicy & Tingly Beef Muscle Hand-Ripped Noodles $13.65
This dish’s calling card is the signature ma la, or spicy and tingly flavor, imparted by tingly Sichuan peppercorns and heady chile peppers. Lean cuts of beef muscle get stewed in this fragrant sauce alongside our house aromatics and tomatoes, then tossed with our wide biang-biang noodles and our soy-vinegar noodle sauce. Enjoyed spicy. [Noodles are packed separately from sauces and protein. Reheat protein by itself, then mix it with the noodles, the noodle sauce packet, and chili oil packet (if spicy) in the bowl with noodles and enjoy hot!]
[NS2] Spicy & Tingly Beef Muscle Hand-Ripped Noodles In Soup $14.35
Lean beef muscle stewed until tender in house aromatics with a Sichuan peppercorn-laced ma la tingle, served on top of chewy hand-pulled wide noodles with comforting spoonfuls of simmering beef broth, topped with our signature sauces and chili oil. [Noodles are packed separately from sauces, soup, and protein. Reheat the soup separately, and then pour into the noodles along with the noodle sauce packet and mix well. Then top with the protein, and enjoy hot!]

[A] Liang Pi
[A1] Liang Pi "Cold Skin Noodles" $8.45
A Xi’an classic. “Cold-skin” here refers to the refreshing texture of our house-made steamed wheat flour noodles. These chilled noodles are served with bean sprouts, cucumber, cilantro, and spongy cubes of seitan, perfect for soaking up our signature soy sauce and vinegar dressings. Chili oil recommended. [Vegan. Sauces on the side is required for all DoorDash orders. "Mildly spicy" orders must add chili oil packet to taste, as full serving of it is equal to regular spicy level]
[A5] Spicy Seitan Salad $8.45
Chewy and spongy slices of homemade seitan (wheat gluten) tossed with bean sprouts, cucumber, cilantro, and spongy cubes of seitan, perfect for soaking up our signature soy sauce and vinegar dressings. Served spicy with chili oil. [Vegan]
[A2] Stir-Fried Liang-Pi "Cold Skin Noodles" $9.45
Our updated version of this Xi’an classic. Our steamed noodles soften when tossed in a wok with green onions, spongy seitan, bean sprouts, garlic, and our signature sauces. Topped with fresh cucumbers and cilantro. Chili oil recommended. [Vegan]

Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃 | Chelsea Details

From the business
Identifies as Asian-owned

Service options
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible seating
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Offerings
Comfort food
Quick bite
Small plates
Vegetarian options

Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Counter service
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Restroom

Atmosphere
Casual
Trendy

Crowd
College students
Tourists

Planning
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Parking
Free street parking
Paid street parking
Parking

Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃 | Chelsea Photos

Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃 | Chelsea Picture 1

Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃 | Chelsea Picture 2

Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃 | Chelsea Picture 3

Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃 | Chelsea Picture 4

Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃 | Chelsea Picture 5

Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃 | Chelsea Picture 6

Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃 | Chelsea Picture 7

Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃 | Chelsea Picture 8

Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃 | Chelsea Picture 9

Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃 | Chelsea Location

Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃 | Chelsea

New York New York County New York 8th Avenue

96 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011, USA

Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃 | Chelsea Reviews

An average rating of ★4.5 from 951 user reviews.

hand pulled noodleslamb dumplingsliang pilamb noodlesspinach dumplingsspicy cumin lamblamb burgerspicy noodlespork burgern1

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

The place was great! The prices were very affordable, especially for NYC. Got a drink and entree for $10 before taxes! No tips are requested and they pay their workers very well! Strongly support this A+ business. This review represents my independent opinions. I am not sponsored nor affiliated with Xi’an Famous Foods. I just like support this local business. Would strongly recommend for anyone passing by and looking for a quick bite.
July 08 · A W
While walking through the streets of Chelsea and feeling hungry, I decided to stop at “Xi’an Famous Foods.” I placed my order using a self-service screen, and it came out really fast. I had a stewed pork burger and spicy and sour lamb dumplings. I spent about $17, and everything was delicious. I highly recommend the dumplings.
July 01 · Pedro Carvalheiro
I used to get this when I lived in NYC many moons and suns ago (when there was a east village store). So happy to taste it again! Still as delicious as I remember. The lamb noodles are my favorite. I like how generous they’re with cumin.Also, the signs in the store are hilarious. Props to the owner/founder.
June 07 · Weishun Lu
Now I can say I have been four times and I’ve taken all my foreign friends here. They all love it and finish their spicy noodle bowls. The Lamb (N1, I think) is soooo good. I freak out everytime I sit down in here and remember how good it taste.
August 17 · Tyrell Harewood
Food was delicious. My girlfriend and I split a pork noodle and cucumber salad. The noodles were really good. A bit hard to eat as they are so long but just be careful not to get the oil on you. There was more cucumber in the noodles than I expected. The cold salad and a tea helped with the spice level. We would certainly return. It’s more of a fast food type with paper plates and plastic bowls/containers. Order on the tablets if you are paying with card.
March 08 · Michael Bauer