street-food · classic · lunch
肉夹馍 · ròu jiā mó
Often called the Chinese hamburger. Shredded pork belly braised for hours in soy sauce and spices, stuffed into a freshly baked flatbread. Xi'an's signature street food.
Muslim Quarter (Huimin Street) — every other stall sells it, but Fan Ji on Zhubashi Street has been doing it since 1925. Get the 'lao tong' (aged marinade) version.
When to Eat It
Year-round
Roujiamo is available on street corners across Xi'an all year — no seasonal planning needed. Freshness and price stay consistent in every season.
How Easy Is It to Find?
easy
Easy to find — sold at street carts, snack stalls, and casual eateries across the city.
Roujiamo has been eaten in Xi'an since the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), making it possibly the world's oldest sandwich. The original 'mo' bread was baked in clay ovens and the meat was simmered in bronze pots — archaeologists have found similar cooking vessels in Qin-era tombs. The dish's enduring popularity comes from Silk Road trade: Central Asian flatbread traditions met Chinese braising techniques right here in Xi'an. Fan Ji on Zhubashi Street has been perfecting the recipe since 1925.
Best For
When to Skip It
You're vegetarian — the classic version is pork. (Halal beef versions exist but are less common.)
Editor's Field Note
Ask for 'lao tong rou' (aged marinade). The pork has been braising in the same pot for years, and the flavor is twice as deep as the fresh version. Fan Ji on Zhubashi Street is famous for exactly this — the queue moves fast, so don't be put off.
Snack Face-Off
羊肉泡馍 · Which one should you order?
| Aspect | Roujiamo | Lamb Soup with Bread |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Fast street food — ready in minutes, eaten on the go | Ritual meal — you tear the bread yourself, then wait |
| Bread | Crispy flatbread stuffed with braised pork | Torn bread pieces simmered in lamb broth |
| Time needed | 5 minutes | 45-60 minutes for the full experience |
| Price | ¥8-20 | ¥25-50 |
Choose Roujiamo if…
You want Xi'an's essential snack fast — the 'Chinese hamburger' experience.
Choose Lamb Soup with Bread if…
You have an hour and want the city's most immersive food ritual.
The shop should chop the meat fresh when you order — if it's pre-chopped and sitting in a tray, walk away. The pork should be a mix of lean and fatty cuts. A proper roujiamo drips slightly; have napkins ready. In the Muslim Quarter, you'll find a halal beef version that uses cumin — it's a different dish but equally good. Eat it standing up like the locals do; this is fast food, not a sit-down meal.
Price Range
¥8–20
Best Found In
Xi'an
Superficially yes -- meat in bread -- but that understates it. The bread (mo) is dense, chewy flatbread baked in a clay oven. The meat is pork belly braised for hours in soy sauce and 20+ spices. It predates hamburgers by roughly 2,000 years.
Yes, in Xian Muslim Quarter you will find beef roujiamo seasoned with cumin instead of the traditional pork version. It is a different dish but equally authentic and delicious.
The shop should chop the meat fresh when you order. Pre-chopped meat sitting in a tray is stale. The bread should be hot from the oven, not reheated. A proper roujiamo drips slightly -- have napkins ready.
Liangpi
凉皮 liáng pí
Cold, slippery noodles in a tangy sesame-vinegar dressing. Refreshing with a gentle heat from chili oil.
Lamb Soup with Bread
羊肉泡馍 yáng ròu pào mó
Rich, aromatic lamb broth poured over hand-torn flatbread pieces that soak up the flavor. Hearty, warming, and deeply satisfying with tender lamb chunks.