Xi’an Famous Foods

In all honesty, I feel this place really only deserves a 2.5. As a flushing native, I can say with certainty that the food here was subpar to all the options that one could get in this giant food central. I’ve eaten at a lot of subpar places in flushing, but I usually don’t do reviews of them. What sparked me to do a review of this place was the effect of the food. The first thing that I noticed when I got my order of Liang Pi was the giant pool of red oil surrounding the noodles. A little more than the usual amounts, but I pushed the thought aside. Immediately after I had finished, my stomach felt incredibly uncomfortable, but I ignored it, as that’s a common side effect of greasy Chinese food. Oil kept getting everywhere, and it took me 4 – 5 tissues to wipe all of the oil off clean. Yet, later in the day, I noticed that the oil had resulted in a pimple forming in the corner of my mouth. Not only that, my whole lip area became incredibly cracked and I saw the beginnings of a cold sore forming in the center of my lips. Now, Flushing has a lot of deliciously oily foods (e.g. White bear wontons) but they have never caused my lips to go into such a horrible condition as this place has. I was immensely surprised and disappointed at the quality of the food considering the hype this place has.

Pretty good vegetarian options. A nice place to bring friends.

Can only give it 3 stars, went their for the lamb spine which was famous but they no longer offer it.
The noodle soup looks good but I opted for the TianJing dumpling house instead.
Would have given it 4 stars most likely had they not discontinued the lamb spine.

Really enjoyed their lamb burgers. Flavortown express, baby. The buns were soft but crunchy, too. Did not enjoy the lamb noodle soup, though. Super light flavoring and a little too oily.

Awesome food came to check it out since it was on bizarre foods. I got the noodles and it was decently spiced and flavorful. When I feel adventurous I’ll try the burger.

So good! I lobe the combination of asian, Indian and african spices. This place does it right. The place is tiny with a steel table and like 4 chairs. You can’t go wrong with whatever you get. The cumin lamb noodles are a spicy saucy concoction that will burn your mouth, throat, and stomach, but ohhh its such a good kind of burn. Totally worth the heartburn. I can’t wait to go back and try more things.

I was really excited to try the famous spicy cumin lamb noodles, but it turned out to be the most disappointing «iconic» dish I tried during my visit to NYC.
Let me begin by saying that the noodles themselves were fantastic and I greatly appreciate that they are freshly made in front of your eyes, but everything going on around the noodles was sub par. My first complaint is that the dish is ridiculously oily. It is pretty gross how much oil there is floating around. My next complaint is in regards to the lamb. Firstly there isn’t much lamb and secondly I couldn’t taste any cumin at all. All I could taste was the immense spice floating around in the oil.
Although the food wasn’t inedible, I’ve definitely had much better food meaning Xi’an Famous Foods only gets two stars for what I’m told is their most popular dish.

very hyped here. I thought it was okay
slow service time and noodles were a bit chewy

Yummm, this is another must go place in Flushing for great authentic Chinese food. The cumin lamb is so good. The liang pi is very good. This is another one of the places that boasts about being visited by the food network and it is pretty clear why, because they are awesome.
Food here is like food in China. It’s places like these in Flushing that makes me save money on a flight back to China just for the food.
The prices are awesome but so are most places in this underground heaven of Chinese food.

I ordered the most popular dish (lamb pulled noodles) and it was delicious! They even clean the tables for you if you ask :) Easier on the price as well, so def go and try it!

Delicious foods at a great price. A must try for everybody, I recommend the lamb burger and pork burger (not a burger though, maybe sandwich is a better description).
Very small seating area in a tiny basement food court. Worth going to any day of the week though, no one I brought was disappointed.
I haven’t had trouble in this food court but the locals (other customers) are very unique in Flushing, don’t take their rudeness or lack of manners and common sense to heart. It’s part of the city.

Absolutely affordable and delicious
Anyone who loves spicy or bold taste should give it a try!
Their liangpi are the best I’ve tried!

Lamb skewers and soft tofu absolutely delicious, the hand pulled noodles were good but not amazing, oxtail noodles over rated and undercooked oxtail. Squid skewers less than average
Staff very friendly and warm

Pretty nice spot. Went here with my boy the other day, he said he’s gone to the previous location in a dingy basement, but now they’re at a new spot or same spot but revamped, the interior is nice. OK food — I got the spice veggie noodle, it’s pretty spicy and oily, I’ve had better and similar pad Thai. It’s smothered in hot oil so bad that it splattered when I was trying to cut down the large piece of the noodle in my friends’ eye, I felt so terrible! His eye was burning, luckily we had water and visine at hand. Wish they had more veggie options & pad Thai. Id probably come back here if I was starving, BUT definitely affordable ($ 10 & some change for my fish & a can of Apple soda).

Entrance is near 41^st and Main. Walk down 41^st and it will be the 2^nd door on the left (leads down to the basement). It is really difficult to find, even after reading the reviews and seeing Unilocal pics of the door!
The spicy cumin lamb noodles are so good. One of my favorite noodle dishes to date. Just the right about of spice. Generous amount of delicious lamb. Noodles are cooked really well.
Cumin lamb burger was also good. The bread is perhaps a little too much compared to big (I wouldve preferred thinner buns). But there is a lot of lamb, and it is delicious.
Will definitely return to the Manhattan locations to try the other things

OMG i love the lamb burger here. While its not like a typical american burger but the lamb filing is so juicy, spicy and flavorful. The bad side is that its a little too pungent eating it in a small space where you have to be considerate of others. They always toast the bun perfectly and the meat is so good. The spicy lamb noodles are equally as good but much more filling.
Even if you don’t speak chinese they have pictures for you to point at. Cash only.

I love Xi’an Famous Foods and couldn’t wait to have it again since I was back in NYC. This location is so unassuming, located in the basement food court, but serves delicious stuff. Forget the atmosphere and fanciness of the sister restaurant Biang; it’s all about the food at Xi’an Famous Foods! This is a small place but still has a few seats if you want to dine-​in.
The owner got extremely lucky that his restaurant chain took off, and I think he is only in his late 20s. He knows how to do business!
Everything at Xi’an Famous Foods is delicious and affordable. I had a savory tofu pudding, one of the «sandwiches,» and a cold noodle dish. The cold noodle dish was a bit more tart and spicy than this same dish made in other regions, but was still great. All three items were so scrumptious and I am drooling now just thinking about them again.
Not much in terms of service or decorations. Just come for the phenomenal and affordable food! I promise you won’t be disappointed.

If you’re up for a culinary adventure, head to the Golden Shopping Mall! Make your first stop at Xi’an Famous Foods for Liang Pi! Heads up, this place is in the basement and the stairs to the basement are actually outside, on the street, not inside.
The noodle dish, Liang Pi, is utterly amazing! It’s been a week since I’ve had it and I’m still day dreaming about t. It’s spicy and sour. I loved every bite. It’s served cold with cucumbers. They also have a stir fried version too, but I got the original version.
We also tried the spicy cumin lamb burger which was alright. I think the pork one would have been better. I wasn’t too keen on the cumin taste.
Don’t skip the noodles though. They are a must!
I can’t wait to return and best of all, there’s several locations in NYC, so I will track down that dish again!
Also, heads up, there’s two tables in front of their stall, but they turn over quickly, so you shouldn’t have to wait long. Just a note, they don’t recommend taking the Liang Pi dish to go.

Get the N1. It changed my life. It’s Xi’an’s famous «Spicy Cumin Lamb Hand-​Ripped Noodles» (SCLHRN to friends). The greatest Chinese meal I’ve ever had. Maybe the best meal of any kind. I thought I wasn’t a Chinese food fan. In fact, I just hadn’t tried XI’AN yet. Nothing rocks my world like Xian’s SCLHRN.
It’s so good, I have to rap.
What rhymes with Xi’an?
*
Yo, I’m Fox and I come from TEHRAN
I like to have sex while I eat WON TON
I do 160 on the AutoBAHN
Like Right Said Fred, I’m too sexy for MILAN
I learned to French Kiss while at the SORBONNE
Doctored in Maths, I could’ve been a DON
I’m like Oppenheimer, girls tell me I’m the BOMB
So until the DAWN, let’s Marvin Gaye and get it ON
If I was in Star Wars I’d be HAN
If I was Kirk I’d be the wrath of KHAN
If I was Connery (SEAN) I’d be BOND, James BOND
And like Jerry Maguire, I’m the ambassador of KWAN
If I was a Beatle I’d be JOHN
If I was an Eagle I’d be DON
If I was N’Sync I’d be GONE
And if you’re at XI’AN, always get the N1
*
Megathanks to brilliant Queens CM Jando, and Buffalo’s genius Alex K. They raved about Xi’an. So I journeyed to Flushing, and descended into this basement food-​court. I ordered N1. My life was never the same.
It’s indescribable — but I’ll try. The thick, homemade noodles are the best & freshest anywhere. Otherworldly. Lamb is juicy and delicious. The spice makes the dish. Yes, heavily cumin-​infused, but beyond that, no words can convey this spectacular taste. If you only ever eat one thing in NYC — eat this.
Omg I feel a rap coming.
*
I’m closer to China than f***ing TAIWAN
Only thing that comes before «mi» is BANH
I been having sex while you been having NONE
You wanna Josh Duggar wit yo sister and yo MOM
I be friends with Cheadle, you don’t know DON
I f***ed lots of Latin girls, you ain’t f***ed JUAN
If you did, you’d have a premature ejaculaTION
Like Nic Cage, in 60 seconds you’d be GONE
I count to a billion, you only count to ONE
The biopic about me was screened at CANNES
Every girl I meet wants to have my SPAWN
You eat Sweet N Sour Pork, I eat XI’AN
Any place claiming to be better is a CON
Slow start, but ugly duck became a SWAN
Tastes better than the girl I just went down ON
And her sister, 2 brothers, Uncle and her MOM
And my Arabic boyfriend named HASSAN
XI’AN is a motherf***ing food phenomeNON
Michelle Pfeiffer comes here for Dangerous LIAISONS
Owner so rich he got 69 MAISONS
I won’t eat your muffin if it’s got nuts and RAISINS
And I don’t understand how this rhymes with XI’AN
*
I’ve taken people to Xi’an (and «taken» them after Xi’an too). They invariably fall head over heels in love with the same dish — N1. The soup version is excellent too, as are others including the famous, super-​cheap, must-​try Spicy Lamb Burger. But get the N1 — SCLHRN. It would be a crime not to try it.
Now, like Jando & Alex K before me, I rave about Xi’an to others constantly. I’m the prototypical convert. I’m religious & sh*t about this place. If Xi’an wrote a Bible, I’d thump it. I can’t even use Chopsticks and IDGAF. DILLIGAF? I biblically «know» a model in Texas, I just chatted her this:
«Look:
— saved it for last review before hiatus, #2,500, cuz it’s literally my fave meal in NYC, even over Sammy’s Halal. Love the warning on their site! So much like me, all paranoid that ppl will let it cool down and not get the best impression lol. N1 is THE dish. I’ve tried a few things, but N1 made them famous, the regional specialty, literally one of the 5 best meals I’ve had in my life, possibly #1. Just as good every single time. I can’t describe it. Never liked Chinese food, that is changing fast thanks to Xi’an. I wasn’t that hungry, yet I finished the entire bowl.»
Her response: «I wanna go now! If you don’t take me, i’m dump-​ling you!»
The tourists have found Xi’an, yet most customers are still Asian, prices have stayed low, and food quality has not diminished. Down here in the basement, you’ll think you’re in East Asia. You’ll take one bite of Xi’an’s SCLHRN, and your life will never be the same. One of the world’s greatest meals. Come. Try it.
OK, fine. One last rap.
*
I get excited watching you dance to ReggaeTON
You need to cool down, girl, drink this EVIAN
Skip General Tso’s, try this XI’AN
Damn girl, where’s all my Lamb Cumin GONE
You’ll wanna make babies and feed this to your SPAWN
You’ll wanna marry Bowie like IMAN
You’ll make Argentina cry like EVA PERON
You’ll come back to XI’AN and you’ll get the N1
I just f***ed 3 girls, 2 were named YVONNE
My Dad’s from IRAN (but my real Dad’s from KRYPTON)
He spilled XI’AN, on his KORAN
But Allah forgave him cuz ALLAH LOVES XI’AN
If I was Edward this would be my Bella SWAN
If I went Overboard I’d be Goldie HAWN
If I crashed weddings I’d be Vince VAUGHN
If I was Borat I’d be from KAZAKHSTAN
If food is the Mafia, XI’AN is the DON
Forget Neo Anderson, XI’AN is the ONE
If you only eat once in NY, EAT XI’AN
Oh sh*t, split ends, need to go to a SALON

Besides it being impossible to find and being kicked out because we were done eating and just sitting and chatting, the food was good enough to earn this place 4 stars.
My friend and I shared the liang pi, spicy cumin lamb hand pulled noodles, and we each got a spicy cumin lamb burger. I had to get a hawberry drink near the end because it was too spicy.
liang pi — I’ve had lots of liang pi in my lifetime and the texture of this one was probably one of the best. Liang pi can easily be too soft and just breaks apart when you bite it, but this was just right. It wasn’t too chewy or too soft and the flavors of herb and spice and sesame all infused into the liang pi. The cucumbers and bean sprouts were really fresh and crunchy. There were also pieces of what looked like spongy tofu that soaked up all the flavors as well and we’re really good.
Spicy cumin lamb noodles — you can defintely taste the difference between hand pulled noodles are regular noodles. They’re more chewy and dense. Again great flavors. Just wish there were more pieces of lamb in this one. And the noodles were so long they became hard to eat without spalattering everywhere.
Spicy lamb burger — Lots of lean, marinated spicy lamb. Also bits and pieces of jalapeño or some other pepper. Came out blazing hot and fresh.
Hawberry drink — refreshing and really helps alleviate the spice, a little bit sour and not too sweet.
All the portions were generous. You can easily have a meal here for less than $ 10. And spice level for everything is really spicy, even if you ask for mild. Not for the faint of tongue. Very limited seating, and very crowded.

Lo más importante aquí son una especie de hamburguesas de pan muy blandito que pueden ser de cerdo o cordero. Las de cordero están especialmente picante así que cuidadín con ellas. Sin posibilidad de reserva, a tope en horas punta. Muy difícil pillar sitio. Mucha gente haciendo cola dentro y fuera, luz de fluorescente. Muy Blade Runner. Great.