Chinese @ Xi’an Famous Foods

My friend and I tried out Xi’an Famous Foods in Dickson, a restaurant I’ve walked past several times but never really notice or have plans to go to another restaurant along that strip.

Menu items at Xi’an Famous Foods include various cold or hot noodle dishes like biang biang noodles, dumplings, rouguamo/roujiamo (Chinese burgers), meat skewers, chicken feet, other offal-type items, meal sets (burger, noodles plus drink) and more. Prices are affordable averaging around $14.80 for a noodle dish. Orders are taken and paid for at the counter, and you get a little table number stand to take back.

I tried the stewed lamb Chinese burger ($6.90) – the photo on the menu makes it look flat and crispy. The burger came served in a paper bag which sat in a basket. It was stuffed full with slightly fatty warm stewed lamb mixed in with onion and some spices. The ‘burger’ is like a denser and larger version of a bao in a flatbread style. Very generous portion, tasty and good value for money as a starter. I also ordered one beef skewer ($2.50, no photo) which was well-seasoned but a tad tough to chew.

For my main, I ordered the Qishan-style noodles ($13.80) with diced pork and vegetables in soup. I’m asked if I want it spicy and I just asked for mildly spicy. The handmade noodles are plentiful, thin and long with a nice chew. I love noodles with a bit of bite in them. The soup is slightly milky and light, probably just a pork bone broth base, with a tiny bit of chilli oil floating on top. I didn’t actually finish any of the dishes – the noodles or the burger or the skewer! My eyes are too big for my stomach sometimes.

My friend tried a Xi’an speciality – pao mo soup (I think $14.80). I’d never heard of this dish before. It’s a lamb stew with lots of diced up mantou bread, lamb and greens – very different. She also ordered a side of chicken feet (no photo).

We noticed Xi’an Famous Foods filled up quickly on a Monday night, and with Chinese nationals – it must be good right?! The food came out quickly and a bottle of water and glasses came out when I asked. I’d love to go back to try the dumplings, the biang biang noodles and more. Worth a visit for something affordable.

Xi’an Famous Foods
4-14 Woolley St, Dickson ACT

Opening hours:
Seven days a week from 11.00am – 9.00pm.

Foodgasm 7/10
Service 7/10
Value for money 9/10

FPJ score 23/30

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