Xi’an Sizzling Woks (the restaurant formerly known as Xi’an Famous Food) Now Has a Huge Noodley Menu
In May I noticed that a new restaurant opened in Chinatown serving a very unique style of Chinese cuisine from the Xi’an. I noted that the name of the restaurant “Xi’an Famous Food” made me think they were related to the popular Xi’an Famous Food locations in New York City, however on my visit I was told there was no relation. Soon after, the original Famous Food contacted the Philly restaurant and asked them to change their name to avoid an infringement suit. The change has happened and the new name is Xi’an Sizzling Woks. Since that first visit, the 10 item hand printed menu has expanded to a vast noodley menu that I had to explore.
Wontons in chili oil (hot appetizer section, $4.95) are a very different version that those served at local Szechuan joints like Han Dynasty, these are much larger and thicker, but no less enjoyable; more like the wontons found in wonton soup. Spicy chili oil, scallions, and sesame seeds covered these pork filled packages.
Shanghai bokchoy with green soy beans (cold vegetable appetizer section, $5.50) is a good cooling snack to munch on in between spicy bites of everything else.
The Chef Recommendation section of the menu is a good place to get to know. The new menu includes a good amount of dishes you could find elsewhere. But the Chef’s recs are the best place to order the real Xi’an style plates. This is where to find the signature Xi’an liang pi noodles. No picture, since they were exactly the same as when I tried it on my first visit– spicy, slippery, almost as good as the NYC Xi’an Famous Foods version.
The spicy sour minced pork noodles ($6.95) was served in a large bowl with spaghetti sized noodles and a “hot and sour” style broth. The menu did not indicate this was a soup and I was expecting something different, though I enjoyed the layered flavors of the soup.
We noticed an intriguing plate of noodles on the table next to us and our waiter explained it was the Sauteed spicy chicken and noodle plate, “good for a group,” he said. The giant plate of noodles is definitely not for one person and was the most expensive thing we ordered at $16.95. The noodles were insanely wide and thick, and were unevenly torn which leads me to believe they were made in house. Under the noodles, a spicy sauce with hints of curry. On top of the noodles, pieces of moist chicken on the bone and potatoes. I loved this; noodles like this are so fun to eat. I doubt you could find anything else like this in Philly.
There still remain a whole slew of dishes that sounds amazing to me, especially under the Chef’s recommendations. Maybe the Biang Biang noodles with garlic sauce next time? Other notes: they do take out and delivery, are BYO, and finally have a working website with online ordering. There is a lunch special menu with everything under $8 but it did not include any Xi’an style plates so I wouldn’t recommend ordering from it.
THE + (What somebody who likes this place would say)
- I love spicy noodles
- Real Xi’an food in Philly
THE – (What somebody who doesn’t like this place would say)
- I hate carbs and spice
- I don’t like people who steal names
Xi’an Sizzling Woks (fka Xi’an Famous Foods), 902 Arch Street, 215 925 1988
Posted by Jamie at 12:30 pm, August 19th, 2013 under Chinatown, Chinese, noodles.
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Other Xi’an knock offs have done much worse with their naming: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/chinger-elmhurst?select=AeuRFy9xNNKEVPz3gC42Ig#9NryldsugNq-X4TOHOXbgg
Speaking of Elmhurst, a favorite of mine, Uncle Zhou’s has that chicken dish which it calls simply “big tray of chicken.” Worth checking out: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/uncle-zhou-restaurant-elmhurst?select=z8w16TMvSmXWZyn1Ll_hfA#5KTT2mbrkITKS7ZYnxMSVg