Quick answer: Roujiamo (肉夹馍, ròujiāmó) is one of Xi’an’s signature street foods: chopped braised meat tucked into a crisp baked flatbread. For first-time visitors, the easiest places to try it are around the Bell Tower / Muslim Quarter, Yongxing Fang, and local shops near the Xi’an City Wall. Pork roujiamo is the classic version; beef and lamb versions are common in Muslim Quarter. A simple roujiamo often costs around RMB 8-15, depending on the shop and filling.
Last reviewed: August 2026. Prices, opening hours and rules can change; confirm the latest details before your trip.
Best for: a quick Xi’an lunch, a food stop after the City Wall, or the first snack on a Muslim Quarter food walk.
What roujiamo is, and why Xi’an is famous for it
Roujiamo is sometimes translated as “Chinese hamburger,” but that nickname is only a shortcut. The bread is not a soft burger bun: it is usually a baked flatbread with a firm outside and a layered, chewy interior. The filling is chopped meat, often braised for hours with spices, then packed into the bread while the juices are still warm.
The food is strongly associated with Shaanxi province and Xi’an. Older forms of meat-stuffed flatbread in this region go back a long way, because wheat-based breads and noodles are central to northern Chinese food. Today, roujiamo is a normal everyday food in Xi’an: office workers eat it for lunch, students grab it between classes, and travelers use it as an easy street-food entry point.
Pork, beef, or lamb: which version should you try?
| Version | Chinese | Where to look | What it tastes like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic pork roujiamo | 腊汁肉夹馍 | Common across Xi’an, especially regular local shops | Rich, soft chopped meat with a savory braised sauce. |
| Beef roujiamo | 牛肉夹馍 | Muslim Quarter and halal restaurants | Leaner, spiced, often easier for halal travelers. |
| Lamb roujiamo | 羊肉夹馍 | Muslim Quarter and Xi’an halal food areas | Stronger flavor, good if you already like lamb skewers. |
If this is your first roujiamo, start with the classic pork version outside Muslim Quarter, then try beef or lamb if you are doing a longer Xi’an food walk. If you do not eat pork, Muslim Quarter is the easiest area to find halal-friendly versions.
Where to eat roujiamo in Xi’an
Do not treat roujiamo as one single restaurant hunt. It is more useful to choose the right area first, then look for a busy shop with fresh bread and fast turnover. These areas work well for travelers:
| Area | Best for | How to get there | What to search in Amap / Gaode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bell Tower / Muslim Quarter | First-time visitors, evening food walks, beef/lamb versions | Take Xi’an Metro Line 2 to Bell Tower Station, then walk toward Muslim Quarter. | 肉夹馍, 回民街 肉夹馍 |
| Yongxing Fang | Trying several Shaanxi snacks in one place | Use Amap and search 永兴坊; taxi or metro plus short walk may be easiest. | 永兴坊 肉夹馍 |
| Near Xi’an City Wall / South Gate | Lunch after biking or walking the wall | Search from your exact gate because the wall is large. | 南门 肉夹馍 or 西安城墙 肉夹馍 |
| Local neighborhood shops | Cheaper, less touristy meals | Open Amap near your hotel and search 肉夹馍. | 肉夹馍 near me / 附近 肉夹馍 |
A commonly mentioned old-style name is Fan Ji / 樊记腊汁肉夹馍 around the Bell Tower area, but do not rely only on one brand. Locations, opening hours, and quality can change, so use Amap, check recent reviews, and choose the branch that is actually open and convenient for your route.
Specific roujiamo shops and food streets to check
After checking outside travel sources and recent Reddit travel discussions, the same pattern appears again and again: do not only stand on the most crowded Muslim Quarter main street. Use it as an easy first stop, but also check nearby streets and local chains if you want a better food walk.
| Place or name | Why it matters | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Fan Ji / 樊记腊汁肉夹馍 | One of the classic names travelers often see mentioned for pork roujiamo near the Bell Tower area. | Search the Chinese name in Amap and check the current branch, reviews and opening hours. |
| Qin Yu Roujiamo / 秦豫肉夹馍 | Often recommended in Xi’an food discussions as a solid local-style pork roujiamo option. | Use Amap, go earlier in the day if possible, and expect a simple shop rather than a polished restaurant. |
| Zi Wu Lu Zhang Ji / 子午路张记肉夹馍 | A well-known Xi’an chain; useful because it is easier to find than one-off stalls. | Good backup if you want a straightforward pork roujiamo without hunting too long. |
| Sa Jin Qiao / 洒金桥 | Frequently recommended as a more local food street area than only walking the main Muslim Quarter road. | Go for breakfast or earlier food hunting; search 洒金桥 in Amap. |
| Da Pi Yuan / 大皮院 | Another useful food-street area around the Muslim Quarter network. | Good for combining roujiamo with other Xi’an snacks instead of eating only one thing. |
Do not treat any single shop as guaranteed forever. Branches move, hours change, and tourist areas vary by season. The practical move is to save the Chinese names above, open Amap / Gaode Maps, check recent reviews, and choose the one that fits your hotel, station, or Xi’an sightseeing route.
Other Xi’an foods to eat on the same walk
- Biang biang noodles: wide hand-pulled noodles; a stronger meal than roujiamo, so do not order a huge bowl if you still want snacks.
- Xi’an Muslim Quarter foods: lamb skewers, beef or lamb roujiamo, paomo, local sweets and drinks.
- Liangpi / 凉皮: cold noodles with vinegar and chili oil; this is one of the best partners for roujiamo.
- Yangrou paomo / 羊肉泡馍: lamb soup with torn bread; more filling and slower than roujiamo.
- Ice Peak / 冰峰: a local orange soda many travelers pair with Xi’an snacks.
If you are planning Xi’an inside a longer trip, connect this food walk with the 15-day China itinerary, 30-day China itinerary, Xi’an City Wall guide, and Terracotta Warriors guide. Most visitors can do City Wall or Terracotta Warriors during the day, then use the Bell Tower / Muslim Quarter area for dinner.
How to fit roujiamo into a Xi’an day
- After Xi’an City Wall: eat roujiamo near South Gate or head toward Bell Tower for more food options.
- Before Muslim Quarter: start with one roujiamo, then leave room for biang biang noodles, liangpi, lamb skewers, and pomegranate juice.
- After Terracotta Warriors: if you return to the city center in the afternoon or evening, Bell Tower / Muslim Quarter is an easy food stop.
- On a 15-day China itinerary: roujiamo is a useful quick meal on the Xi’an section between Beijing and Chengdu.
How to order roujiamo
The easiest order is: yī gè ròujiāmó (一个肉夹馍) = one roujiamo. If pronunciation feels hard, show the Chinese characters 肉夹馍 on your phone and hold up one finger.
| What you want | Say or show this | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| One roujiamo | 一个肉夹馍 / yī gè ròujiāmó | One meat sandwich |
| Less fat | 瘦一点 / shòu yīdiǎn | A bit leaner |
| More meat | 多加肉 / duō jiā ròu | Add more meat |
| Beef version | 牛肉夹馍 / niúròu jiāmó | Beef roujiamo |
| Lamb version | 羊肉夹馍 / yángròu jiāmó | Lamb roujiamo |
Do not over-customize at a busy stall. Pointing, paying, and stepping aside is normal. If the shop has a QR-code ordering screen and you are not comfortable with it, ask staff or choose a counter where you can point directly.
What to eat with roujiamo
- Liangpi (凉皮): cold noodles with vinegar, chili oil, cucumber, and a refreshing texture.
- Biang biang noodles: wide hand-pulled noodles from Xi’an; better as a separate meal if the bowl is large.
- Lamb skewers: common in Muslim Quarter and good for sharing.
- Plum juice or pomegranate juice: useful if the food is salty or spicy.
Practical tips before you go
- Use Amap / Gaode Maps and search the Chinese term 肉夹馍; English search may miss smaller shops.
- Set up WeChat Pay or Alipay before the food walk; many small places prefer mobile payment.
- If you arrive by high-speed rail, read the China train travel guide and the high-speed rail ticket guide before planning a tight Xi’an evening.
- From Xi’an North Railway Station, Metro Line 2 toward the city center is usually easier than guessing with taxis after a long train ride.
- Eat one roujiamo first. If it is good and you are still hungry, order another; Xi’an food streets are better when you sample several small things.
FAQ
What is roujiamo?
Roujiamo is a Xi’an-style meat sandwich made with chopped braised meat inside a baked flatbread. It is often called a Chinese hamburger, but the bread, spice mix, and chopped filling make it a very different street food.
Where should travelers eat roujiamo in Xi’an?
Good starting areas are the Bell Tower and Muslim Quarter area, Yongxing Fang, and small local shops near Xi’an City Wall. Pork roujiamo is common across Xi’an; beef or lamb versions are easier to find in Muslim Quarter.
How do you get to roujiamo food areas in Xi’an?
For Bell Tower and Muslim Quarter, take Xi’an Metro Line 2 to Bell Tower Station and walk. From Xi’an North Railway Station, Line 2 is usually the simplest route toward the city center.
How much does roujiamo cost?
A simple roujiamo often costs around RMB 8-15, while larger or more famous shops may cost more. Prices change by shop, filling, and tourist area.
What should you order with roujiamo?
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Roujiamo pairs well with liangpi cold noodles, biang biang noodles, lamb skewers, or a simple drink. For a Xi’an food walk, do not fill up at the first stall.
Combine roujiamo with the wall, towers, and Terracotta Warriors using our complete Xi’an travel guide.
Turn roujiamo into a wider Xi’an tasting route
If you want context as well as a sandwich, compare Xi’an food walks and local experiences on Klook. Look for an itinerary that includes several specialist shops rather than one large tourist restaurant.
Affiliate note: We may receive a commission from a qualifying Klook booking made through this roujiamo guide, with no extra site fee for you.
Related Xi’an and China travel guides
- Biang Biang Noodles in Xi’an
- Xi’an Muslim Quarter Food Guide
- Xi’an City Wall Guide
- Terracotta Warriors Guide
- 15-Day China Itinerary
- China Train Travel Guide
- Amap / Gaode Maps Guide
Related guides
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