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Xi'an Famous Foods The fast-casual mini-chain, born in a Flushing basement, serving hand-pulled noodles and cumin-lamb from northwestern China.
🛡️ Independent — no pay-to-rank🔎 Graded for who you are✓ Verified 2026-06-17How we grade → The verdict
Worth the table for…
Travellers on a budget If you've only got a day Families with kids Couples Solo travellers Foodies Local-life seekers Worth it for travellers on a budget, if you've only got a day and families with kids.
What to order
The plates that decide it Spicy cumin lamb hand-ripped noodles — the flagship dish that made the name
Spicy & sour lamb dumplings, liang pi cold-skin noodles — reliably great supporting orders
Ordering everything mild — the heat and cumin are the whole point — lean in
Why we say this
Insider secrets & local vibes The hand-pulled, hand-ripped noodles and cumin-lamb dishes brought Xi'an street food to NYC and built a devoted following.
Not independently verified — estimated It's some of the best value in the city — a deeply satisfying bowl for around the price of a sandwich.
Not independently verified — estimated Seating is minimal and counter-service only, so it's a quick refuel rather than a destination meal.
Not independently verified — estimated What it feels like
Reading the room, traveller by traveller Solo
A perfect solo lunch — order at the counter, grab a stool, and you're out in 20 minutes.
With friends
Cheap and fast enough to hit between sights, but don't expect to linger.
Good to know
Before you go Cost
Roughly $10–15 a head
Best time Off-peak; multiple locations across the city
Booking No reservations — counter order only
Accessibility Limited seating; very casual Was this helpful? 👍 Yes 👎 No Add a tip
Make the most of it
Book through our partner — we may earn a commission, and it never changes the verdict.
Reserve a table → Started in 2005 in a Flushing Golden Mall basement stall by David Shi; son Jason Wang joined in 2009 and the brand has grown to roughly 16 locations. xianfoods.com ↗ Signature is the spicy cumin lamb with hand-pulled (biang-biang) noodles, available dry or as soup. xianfoods.com ↗ 🛡️ Independent — no pay-to-rank🔎 Graded for who you are✓ Verified 2026-06-17How we grade →