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London’s Favourite Xi’an Chinese Restaurant Now Has a Second Site

Xi’an Biang Biang Noodles—the sister site to Xi’an Impression—has opened near Spitalfields, in east London

Xi’an Biang Biang, in Spitalfields, opened this week
Xi’an Biang Biang’s hand-pulled noodles
Ed Smith/Rocket and Squash

London’s essential Xi’an Chinese restaurantXi’an Impression, in Highbury — has quietly opened a second, much larger site, in Spitalfields. Xi’an Biang Biang Noodles, on the corner of Petticoat Lane and Wentworth Street, just north of Aldgate East, opened this week. Eater contributor Ed Smith, via the writer Audrey Gillian, confirmed that the bigger, canteen-style restaurant belongs to the same operators behind the small, walk-in only site opposite Arsenal FC’s Emirates stadium.

Although it had been thought that an outpost of Jason Wang’s New York City cult favourite Xi’an Famous Foods was opening in London, that rumour turned out to be false. The momentary cause for such excitement wasn’t without justification: The hoardings on the restaurant windows had advertised, albeit in a different font, “Xi’an Famous Food Opening Soon.” Whether or not the use of the singular versus the plural in this case avoided any litigation is now moot; the restaurant has changed its name (although its Google listing still refers to Xi’an Famous Food.)

Xi’an itself is a large city and the capital of Shaanxi Province in central China, which marks the Silk Road’s eastern end. The cuisine from the region specialises in wide hand-pulled “belt” noodles, covered in an umami-rich Sichuan pepper corn, soya-based, chilli sauces — served with Chinese greens; braised beef; or cumin-spiced lamb. Elsewhere there are fine cold skin noodles, with sesame or chilli sauces; smacked cucumber salads; boneless poached chicken in special sauce; and wonton and Qishan soups.

Silk Road

49 Camberwell Church Street, , England SE5 8TR 020 7703 4832

Xi'an Impression

117 Benwell Road, , England N7 7BW 020 3441 0191 Visit Website

Xi’an Biang Biang Noodles

62 Wentworth Street, London, Greater London E1 7AL Visit Website