What Makes Xi’an Morning Market Halal Food So Special?

If you ever visit Xi'an, two spots you have to see. First, the Muslim Quarter. It's a maze of streets jam-packed with Chinese halal food. From hand-pulled bian bian noodles to juicy beef burgers and seasoning skewers, I covered the world in my previous video. Just one kilometer away, Xiaonanmen Morning Market is a landmark spot. By 7am, it's buzzing. Right next to Xi'an's ancient city wall, one side is full of breakfast stores, the other is a traditional market. So today, we are heading to see what Chinese halal food looks like in an everyday market. This stall sells pressed beef. Slowly braised till tender, then pressed with beef tendon and rich broth. Once cooled, it slices firm. Beef jerky, cooked with spices, and air-dried tian shui, salty and savory, dangerously addictive. This giant pot is filled with youcha, a warm savory tea soup. And pouring youcha is a real skill. Then comes the crispy fried don't putris, sesame seeds and egg. And the coolest part, the egg is sliced using nothing but a single piece of thread. This butcher sells halal beef, with prices varying by cut. The market is packed with fresh, locally sourced produce. Another favorite is liangping, called skim noodles. Wheat batter or rice batter is steamed into thin sheets, then cut into wide noodles. Tossed with chili oil, vinegar, garlic and seasonings. Cold, chewy, spicy, so refreshing. The chili oil coats everything, that's Xian flavor. Try gulatang as well, a thick, peppery breakfast soup. Made with beef, vegetables, spices and a thick broth, pepper gives it a strong warming kick. But here in Xian, it's perfect with local pan-fried buns. Crispy buns, hot soup, breakfast heaven. But this lady's homemade style is very special. With golden crispy outside, and juicy beef and scandals inside. Crispy, juicy, so good. The beef is slowly braised with traditional spices, then chopped tender on the board. Stuffed into toasted bread, splash a little chili vinegar for some heat, and a cup of chewy vegetables. You bring me a small bowl of noodles. Sure. I'll give you more. Don't add too much. Sir, I'd like a big bowl of noodles. Here, here. How much? 32 yuan. I'll put it on the ice. 7 yuan? Let me try. Here, have a cup. Thank you. Back in Muslim Quarter, I visited this ancient mosque. Dated back to 705, it's one of the oldest mosques in Xian. Can't leave Xian without trying the beef skewers. Small pieces of beef grilled to perfection, and finished with cumin and chili.