How To Experience Street Food In Xi'an: Muslim Quarter (Huimin Street)

If you’re not familiar with China’s long and layered history, it might surprise you to find a bustling Muslim neighborhood in the middle of Xi’an.

But the Muslim Quarter, also known as Huimin Jie in phonetic Chinese, has been a central part of the city for centuries. Located just steps from the Drum Tower, this area is home to more than 20,000 Hui Muslims, the descendants of Persian and Arab merchants who traveled the Silk Road and settled here during the Tang Dynasty.

Over generations, they built a community that still thrives today, with their own mosques, schools, food culture, and traditions.

The Muslim Quarter is a living, breathing, and thriving part of the city. When you walk through the narrow alleyways lined with food stalls, souvenir stands, and spice shops, you’re stepping into one of the most sensory-rich parts of Xi’an!

The air smells like grilled lamb and star anise. The sound of hawkers calling out deals competes with the sizzle of the grills and the rhythmic thwack of hand-pulled noodles hitting counters.

Here’s what you can expect when visiting Xi’an’s Muslim Street.

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XI’AN: HOTEL SPOTLIGHT

Yunheyebo Hotel

Just steps from Xi’an’s ancient city wall, Yunheyebo Hotel is where comfort meets modern convenience.

Staying here means you can reach the city’s iconic Muslim Street in less than 10 minutes on foot.

Breakfast is also standout here, whether you’re craving a Western spread or leaning into hearty Chinese dishes to start your day off.

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What To Expect Along The Muslim Quarter’s Food Street

Start at Beiyuanmen Street, the main artery of the Muslim Quarter that runs north from the Drum Tower. This street alone could keep you busy for hours. It’s where you’ll find all the most iconic street food dishes Xi’an is famous for.

We walked from our hotel (just slightly outside of the South Gate) and ended up on Beiyuanmen Street in less than 10 minutes. Our first impressions? Such sensory overload!

Despite it being a chilly winter night, there were tons of people strolling, shopping, and, of course, eating everything they could get their hands on. In addition to the liveliness, you’ve got brightly lit signs emanating from all the food vendors, handicraft shops, and souvenir stores.

Let’s start with what you’re probably most excited about: the food. OMG, the selection here is incredible. I’m Chinese to begin with (American-born), and even I had never seen or tasted a majority of the stuff being sold along Muslim Street.

Here’s a quick list to give you a sense of the foods you’ll encounter:

Roujiamo – Often called the Chinese hamburger. You’ll spot long lines at popular stands; one of them right at the entrance of the street is a local favorite that my dad, who had been doing YouTube research before the trip, made sure we didn’t miss!
Yangrou Paomo – This lamb soup with hand-crumbled flatbread is hearty and deeply flavorful. Some places even let you DIY the bread-crumbling part.
Lamb skewers – Spicy, cumin-laden, and grilled over charcoal. A must-try!
Persimmon cakes – These sweet, crispy-on-the-outside, gooey-on-the-inside treats are made with Lintong District persimmons and stuffed with sugar and osmanthus.
Cold noodles – Perfect in the summer, these come dressed in a tangy, spicy sauce and are incredibly refreshing.
Muslim flatbread – These massive, disc-shaped breads stand upright on their own and are unlike anything you’d find in China. They’re a local specialty, and their name (guo kui) literally means “wok lid,” which gives you a good idea of their size and shape!

Xian Muslim Quarter - Muslim Bread — Spicy tofu

Muslim Street Xian — Left to right: Biang biang noodles, pomegranate juice, dried persimmon treats.

You’ll also find freshly squeezed pomegranate juice, fruit vinegars, fried rice dishes, dumplings, and an endless supply of local snacks you’ve probably never seen but should absolutely try.

👉 Need help figuring out what to eat? Opt for a guided food tour of the Muslim Quarter. Our family is of Chinese descent, and even WE had trouble figuring out what some of the food was in Xi’an. In hindsight, we would have also benefited from going on a guided food tour.

Xian Muslim Quarter Dessert — Local rice cake dessert topped with sweet dates

Dumplings In Xi'an China — Local rice cake dessert topped with sweet dates

Even if you’re not hungry, the atmosphere here is electric. And I don’t mean just the food, there was so much to take in with all the senses.

Most people only ever highlight the food of the Muslim Quarter, so I was actually quite surprised to find so many souvenir stores along this road.

There were touristy shops selling edible treats, but also more artisanal shops selling traditional Chinese crafts, tea, and dried goods. We ended up buying some white fungus dessert packets to bring home.

Before you get grossed out, white fungus (snow fungus or tremella fuciformis) tastes a lot better than it sounds. In the Eastern medicine world, it’s supposed to be really good for you by clearing heat and inflammation from your system. It tastes so good in its cold dessert form!

Beyond Food: What Else Is In The Muslim Quarter?

Aside from the food and the shops, there are ten mosques located within the Muslim Quarter. The most famous is the Great Mosque of Xi’an, located in Huajue Lane. It’s one of the oldest and most architecturally unique mosques in China, blending traditional Chinese temple-style architecture with Islamic religious elements.

This district has retained a strong sense of community over hundreds of years. Many of the shopkeepers grew up here, and it’s not uncommon to see older men sipping tea and chatting while kids play nearby.

If you’re visiting during a major Chinese or Islamic holiday, the neighborhood becomes even livelier, with special street performances, prayers, and food offerings you won’t see at any other time.

👉 Pro Tip: Visit the Muslim Quarter twice — once during the day and once at night. We visited at night and while the atmosphere was lively, we realized later how much more local life you can observe during the day—residents shopping, chatting with neighbors, and prepping food for the evening crowd. We had intended to come back for a daytime stroll, but rainy weather derailed that plan. Don’t miss your chance to see both sides of this neighborhood!