Xi'an Famous Foods: A New York Noodle Guide

[Takeout & Delivery ONLY] Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃@PICNIC | Times Square Introduce

Welcome to our guide to Xi'an Famous Foods, a New York City culinary institution that has captured the hearts and taste buds of locals and visitors alike. This particular location, situated in the bustling heart of Times Square, is a unique spot, operating as a takeout and delivery-only service. Xi'an Famous Foods is not your typical Chinese restaurant; it specializes in the distinctive cuisine of Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi Province in northwestern China. This cuisine is known for its bold flavors, often featuring cumin, chili, and a spicy, tingly sensation from Sichuan peppercorns. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of what makes this specific location a must-try for anyone in the New York region, from its menu of famous dishes to its convenient services and what makes it truly worth the hype.

In a city with an endless array of Chinese restaurants, Xi'an Famous Foods stands out for its authenticity and focus on a specific regional cuisine. The chain, which started in the basement of a Flushing mall, has grown into a beloved mini-chain across the city, largely due to its commitment to family recipes and the unique flavor profiles of Xi'an. The Times Square location offers a streamlined experience, perfect for the fast-paced nature of the area. It caters to those who need a quick and satisfying meal, whether they're rushing to a show, heading back to the office, or simply looking for a delicious and convenient dinner at home. The "takeout and delivery only" model is a testament to the high demand for their flavorful dishes.

This guide is designed to help you navigate the offerings of this particular Xi'an Famous Foods branch. We will detail its central location, its accessibility, and the range of services it provides. We will also highlight the most popular dishes and features that have made this establishment a local favorite. Real customer reviews consistently praise the generous portion sizes, reasonable prices for the area, and the unforgettable flavors, which serve as a strong endorsement of the quality. By focusing on the unique aspects of this restaurant, we aim to give you a clear and engaging picture of why it should be on your list of places to try for authentic and delicious Chinese comfort food.

The Xi'an Famous Foods location we're highlighting is at 245 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036. This address places it directly in the heart of Times Square and the Theater District, a prime spot for both tourists and locals who work or frequent the area. Its central location makes it highly accessible and a convenient food option in one of the city's most bustling neighborhoods.

Accessibility is key for a takeout and delivery-only business, and this location excels in that regard. Being in Times Square means it is within a very short walk of numerous subway stations, including those for the 1, 2, 3, N, Q, R, W, and 7 trains. This extensive network ensures that it's a simple journey for anyone in the city to pick up an order. For those who choose delivery, the central location allows for a quick and efficient service to much of Midtown and beyond. The establishment also has a wheelchair-accessible entrance, ensuring that it is an option for all customers. While street parking is available, it can be expensive and hard to find in this area, making public transportation or delivery the most practical options.

This location of Xi'an Famous Foods operates with a highly focused service model tailored for efficiency and convenience.

No-contact delivery: This service option provides a safe and easy way to get food delivered directly to your doorstep.
Delivery: A standard delivery service is available, bringing the restaurant's signature dishes right to you.
Takeout: For those in the area, the takeout option is perfect for a quick pickup. This is a great choice for a fast, delicious, and budget-friendly meal in the middle of a busy day.

Xi'an Famous Foods is celebrated for a number of features and highlights that have contributed to its widespread popularity.

Hand-Ripped Noodles: The hand-ripped "biang-biang" noodles are the star of the show. Known for their chewy, bouncy texture, they are a hallmark of Xi'an cuisine and a central feature of many dishes, including the famous Spicy Cumin Lamb Noodles.
Unique Flavor Profile: The restaurant's dishes are known for their bold and distinct flavors, which often feature cumin and a spicy and tingly sensation from Sichuan peppercorns. This is a unique taste that stands out from more common Chinese restaurant offerings.
Popular Dishes: Must-try items include the Spicy Cumin Lamb Hand-Ripped Noodles and the Liang Pi "Cold Skin Noodles." The Stewed Pork Burger is another fan favorite, offering a savory filling in a crispy flatbread.
Great Tea Selection: The beverage menu includes a variety of teas, such as Chrysanthemum Tea and Sour Hawberry Tea, which are perfect for complementing the spicy flavors of the food.
Vegan and Vegetarian Options: The menu offers a number of plant-based choices, including the Spicy Seitan Salad and Spicy & Sour Spinach Dumplings, catering to a wide range of dietary preferences.
Authenticity and Quality: The restaurant is family-owned and identifies as Asian-owned, with a focus on serving authentic, high-quality dishes based on cherished family recipes.
Reasonable Prices and Large Portions: Customers frequently praise the generous portion sizes for a very reasonable price, especially for a location in the expensive Times Square area.

For direct inquiries or to find the location, here is the essential contact information for Xi'an Famous Foods.

Address: 245 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036

Phone: (212) 786-2068

What is worth choosing?

Xi'an Famous Foods is worth choosing for several compelling reasons, particularly for a New Yorker seeking a unique and satisfying meal. The most significant factor is the authenticity and quality of the food. This is not your standard takeout Chinese fare; it is a genuine taste of a specific regional cuisine that is hard to find elsewhere. The hand-ripped noodles are a key attraction, offering a texture and flavor that are truly unforgettable. The spicy cumin lamb dishes are a favorite of many, and the cold skin noodles provide a refreshing contrast, making the menu exciting and well-rounded.

Furthermore, the value proposition is excellent. For a restaurant located in the heart of Times Square, the prices are very reasonable, and the portion sizes are generous. This makes it an ideal spot for a quick and budget-friendly lunch or dinner that doesn't compromise on flavor or substance. The takeout and delivery-only model is perfectly suited to the fast-paced New York lifestyle, providing maximum convenience without sacrificing quality. The restaurant’s ability to cater to a diverse crowd, including college students and tourists, and its inclusive amenities like a gender-neutral restroom, make it a welcoming and accessible choice for everyone.

Finally, the "worth the hype" factor is strong. The brand has been featured in major food publications and on television shows, and its reputation is consistently backed up by positive customer reviews. The fact that a customer from Xi'an, China, approves of the food is a powerful testament to its authenticity. For a New Yorker in need of a quick, flavorful, and reliable meal, Xi'an Famous Foods offers a unique culinary experience that is both a delicious departure from the norm and a true taste of a cherished regional tradition.

[Takeout & Delivery ONLY] Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃@PICNIC | Times Square Food & drink

Extras
Bun 空饼 $2.05
Just the bread bun. no fillings. [vegan]
XFF Liang Pi Sauce Packet $1.60
Double check the store you've selected no picking up from different store, no refunds if mistaken. no later pickups. no requests except for omission of some ingredients. confirm w/ staff upon pickup if they were able to fulfill request(s).
XFF Chili Oil & Crisps Packet $2.75
3 fl. oz. packet of chili oil & crisps.

[F] Other Specialties
[F1] Chang'an Spicy Tofu Custard $4.35
Delicate house-made tofu, served warm with crunchy pickled vegetables, cilantro, and our sour-savory signature sauces. Chili oil highly recommended. 321 cal. [Vegan]
[F5] Spicy & Sour Lamb Dumplings In Soup (7) $11.35
Our signature dumplings. Wrapped in homemade dumpling dough and filled with ground lamb, these dumplings are infused with spices for even more flavor. Served in a spicy and sour lamb broth. Seven (7) pieces per order. 818 cal.
[F4] Spicy & Sour Lamb Dumplings (7) $9.65
Our signature dumplings. Wrapped in homemade dumpling dough and filled with ground lamb, these dumplings are infused with spices for even more flavor. Served with our signature spicy and sour sauces. Seven (7) pieces per order. 780 cal.
[F6] Spicy & Sour Spinach Dumplings (7) $9.65
Our vegetarian dumplings, wrapped in spinach juice-dumpling dough, comes stuffed with ground spinach, wood-ear mushroom, seitan, carrots, cabbage, vermicelli, and egg for a surprisingly filling bite. Served alongside our savory-sour sauces, plus chili oil for kick. Seven (7) pieces per order. 710 cal.
[F8] Spicy & Sour Pork & Cabbage Dumplings (7) $8.95
Our traditional pork and cabbage dumplings, wrapped in a carrot juice dumpling skin and served in our house sauces including soy sauce, black vinegar. Top with chili oil, sesame seeds, and cilantro for the full experience. Seven (7) pieces per order. 887 cal.

Need Utensils? (none packed by default)
YES, Please Include Utensils 给餐具！ $0.00
Please enter the total quantity of sets of utensils you are requesting.

[L] Cold Dishes
[L2] Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad $6.85
Crispy Asian cucumbers, cut into bite-sized pieces and then smashed, perfect for scooping up our garlicky dressing of soy sauce and black vinegar. Topped with sliced chile (and chili oil) for a little extra heat. 273 cal. [Vegan]

[N/NS] Hand-Ripped Noodles
[N1] Spicy Cumin Lamb Hand-Ripped Noodles $15.15
The dish that turned Anthony Bourdain into a fan. Thinly sliced lamb, spiced with cumin and chili powder, mixed with our chewy hand-pulled biang-biang noodles and topped with our soy-vinegar noodle sauce. An XFF original. Enjoyed spicy. 1248 cal. [DoorDash: Noodles are packed separately from sauces and protein. Reheat protein by itself, then mix it with the noodles, the noodle sauce packet, and chili oil packet (if spicy) in the bowl with noodles and enjoy hot!]
[NS1] Spicy Cumin Lamb Hand-Ripped Noodles In Soup $15.85
Our famous spicy cumin lamb noodles, seasoned with ground cumin and chili powder, gets a homey update with savory lamb broth, our signature sauces, and chili oil. 1284 cal. [DoorDash: Noodles are packed separately from sauces, soup, and protein. Reheat the soup separately, and then pour into the noodles along with the noodle sauce packet and mix well. Then top with the protein, and enjoy hot!]
[NS2] Spicy & Tingly Beef Muscle Hand-Ripped Noodles In Soup $15.35
Lean beef muscle stewed until tender in house aromatics with a Sichuan peppercorn-laced ma la tingle, served on top of chewy hand-pulled wide noodles with comforting spoonfuls of simmering beef broth, topped with our signature sauces and chili oil. 1201 cal. [DoorDash: Noodles are packed separately from sauces, soup, and protein. Reheat the soup separately, and then pour into the noodles along with the noodle sauce packet and mix well. Then top with the protein, and enjoy hot!]
[NS4] Stewed Pork Hand-Ripped Noodles In Soup $13.95
Pulled pork, simmered for hours in an aromatic soy broth with proprietary spices, served with our wide hand-pulled noodles, savory noodle broth, and signature sauces. Shown as spicy. 1141 cal. [DoorDash: Noodles are packed separately from sauces, soup, and protein. Reheat the soup separately, and then pour into the noodles along with the noodle sauce packet and mix well. Then top with the protein, and enjoy hot!]
[N8] Spicy Hot Oil Seared Hand-Ripped Noodles $12.15
A Xi’an classic, meant to be slurped sitting at stalls in the streets of Xi’an. Our chewy hand-ripped biang-biang noodles and heaps of aromatics and chili powder are flash-seared with smoking hot vegetable oil, then tossed to perfection in our house noodle sauce of soy sauce and black rice vinegar. This is the best way to experience our hand-pulled noodles without any fuss. 1114 cal.
[N2] Spicy & Tingly Beef Muscle Hand-Ripped Noodles $14.65
This dish’s calling card is the signature spicy and tingly flavor, imparted by tingly Sichuan peppercorns and heady chile peppers. Lean cuts of beef muscle get stewed in this fragrant sauce alongside our house aromatics and tomatoes, then tossed with our wide biang-biang noodles and our soy-vinegar noodle sauce. 1140 cal. [DoorDash: Noodles packed separately from sauces and protein. Reheat protein, then mix with noodles, noodle sauce packet, and chili packet (if spicy) and enjoy!]
[N4] Stewed Pork Hand-Ripped Noodles $13.25
Our house pulled pork, stewed until tender in soy and sugar alongside proprietary spices. Served over chewy hand-ripped noodles mixed with our house noodle sauces of soy and black rice vinegar. Shown as spicy. 1257 cal. [DoorDash: Noodles are packed separately from sauces and protein. Reheat protein by itself, then mix it with the noodles, the noodle sauce packet, and chili oil packet (if spicy) in the bowl with noodles and enjoy hot!]
[N9] Pork "Zha Jiang" Hand-Ripped Noodles $12.75
Our version of zha jiang mian. Wide hand-ripped noodles mixed with a savory-sweet ground pork meat sauce, garnished with fresh crunchy cucumbers and our house noodles dressings of soy and black rice vinegar. Shown as spicy. 1099 cal. [DoorDash: Noodles are packed separately from sauces and protein. Reheat protein by itself, then mix it with the noodles, the noodle sauce packet, and chili oil packet (if spicy) in the bowl with noodles and enjoy hot!]
[NS3] Mount Qi Pork Hand-Ripped Noodles In Soup $13.85
Rich cubes of pork belly, stewed in a classic spicy and sour sauce of soy, black rice vinegar, and Sichuan peppercorns for a punch of tingly spice. Served with our hand-ripped noodles, savory noodle broth, and signature sauces and chili oil. 1029 cal. [DoorDash: Noodles are packed separately from sauces, soup, and protein. Reheat the soup separately, and then pour into the noodles along with the noodle sauce packet and mix well. Then top with the protein, and enjoy hot!]
[N3] Mount Qi Pork Hand-Ripped Noodles $13.15
Rich cubes of pork belly, stewed in a classic spicy and sour sauce of soy, black rice vinegar, and Sichuan peppercorns for a punch of tingly spice. Served over our hand-ripped noodles and tossed in our soy-vinegar noodle sauce and chili oil. 1144 cal. [DoorDash: Noodles are packed separately from sauces and protein. Reheat protein by itself, then mix it with the noodles, the noodle sauce packet, and chili oil packet (if spicy) in the bowl with noodles and enjoy hot!]

Drinks
Chrysanthemum Tea $2.95
Lightly sweetened with the calming essence of chrysanthemum. 50 cal.
Jasmine Tea (Unsweetened) $2.95
Unsweetened with the fragrance of jasmine. 3 cal.
Sour Hawberry Tea $2.95
A sweet and sour hawberry drink, reminisce of the traditional drinks of Xi'an. 105 cal.
Bottle Water $1.85
Please be sure to retrieve your own ordered drink(s) when picking up
Coke $2.30
Please be sure to retrieve your own ordered drink(s) when picking up

[B] Burgers
[B2] Spicy Cumin Lamb Burger $6.95
Our signature sliced lamb, spiced with ground cumin and sauteed with red onions, scallions and garlic, gets an extra kick with red chile and longhorn peppers. Sandwiched in our house-made crispy flatbread. 625 cal.
[B1] Stewed Pork Burger $5.75
Our house-made crispy flatbread, stuffed with our diced stewed pork belly, simmered with soy sauce and our signature spices until tender. 788 cal.

[A] Liang Pi
[A1] Liang Pi "Cold Skin Noodles" $8.45
A Xi’an classic. “Cold-skin” here refers to the refreshing texture of our house-made steamed wheat flour noodles. These chilled noodles are served with bean sprouts, cucumber, cilantro, and spongy cubes of seitan, perfect for soaking up our signature soy sauce and vinegar dressings. Chili oil recommended. 813 cal. [Vegan. Sauces on the side is required for all DoorDash orders. "Mildly spicy" orders must add chili oil packet to taste, as full serving of it is equal to regular spicy level]
[A2] Stir-Fried Liang-Pi "Cold Skin Noodles" $9.45
Our updated version of this Xi’an classic. Our steamed noodles soften when tossed in a wok with green onions, spongy seitan, bean sprouts, garlic, and our signature sauces. Topped with fresh cucumbers and cilantro. Chili oil recommended. 877 cal. [Vegan]
[A5] Spicy Seitan Salad $8.45
Chewy and spongy slices of homemade seitan (wheat gluten) tossed with bean sprouts, cucumber, cilantro, and spongy cubes of seitan, perfect for soaking up our signature soy sauce and vinegar dressings. Served spicy with chili oil. 610 cal. [Vegan]

[Takeout & Delivery ONLY] Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃@PICNIC | Times Square Details

From the business
Identifies as Asian-owned

Service options
No-contact delivery
Delivery
Takeout
Onsite services

Highlights
Great tea selection

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Offerings
Comfort food
Quick bite
Small plates
Vegan options
Vegetarian options

Dining options
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Table service

Amenities
Gender-neutral restroom
Restroom

Atmosphere
Casual
Trendy

Crowd
College students
Tourists

Planning
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Parking
Paid street parking

[Takeout & Delivery ONLY] Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃@PICNIC | Times Square Photos

[Takeout & Delivery ONLY] Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃@PICNIC | Times Square Picture 1

[Takeout & Delivery ONLY] Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃@PICNIC | Times Square Picture 2

[Takeout & Delivery ONLY] Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃@PICNIC | Times Square Picture 3

[Takeout & Delivery ONLY] Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃@PICNIC | Times Square Picture 4

[Takeout & Delivery ONLY] Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃@PICNIC | Times Square Picture 5

[Takeout & Delivery ONLY] Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃@PICNIC | Times Square Picture 6

[Takeout & Delivery ONLY] Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃@PICNIC | Times Square Picture 7

[Takeout & Delivery ONLY] Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃@PICNIC | Times Square Picture 8

[Takeout & Delivery ONLY] Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃@PICNIC | Times Square Picture 9

[Takeout & Delivery ONLY] Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃@PICNIC | Times Square Location

[Takeout & Delivery ONLY] Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃@PICNIC | Times Square

New York New York County New York West 46th Street

245 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036, USA

[Takeout & Delivery ONLY] Xi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃@PICNIC | Times Square Reviews

An average rating of ★4.4 from 1380 user reviews.

lambburgerhand pulled noodlescuminoxtailliang pihawberryspicy tingly beefrou jia moanthony bourdain

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Approved by a girl from Xi’an, that’s how you know the food is good!Huge portion sizes and very reasonable prices for the heart of Times Square. Liang Pi is bouncy and flavorful. Dumpling sauce is a tad too salty for my taste but may work better for someone else.Remember to add utensils to your order for $0.00, they are not provided by default.
July 16 · Cindy Hu
This place is truly worth the hype!! We ordered the spicy lamb hand noodles. This is the perfect place for a rainy day when you are craving something warm and appetizing.
March 07 · parul chauhan
Don't order from XFF website, go through the picnic times square website instead. Ordered at 12:30 PM, estimated pickup 12:55. At 12:55 order tracker shows order ready to pick up, nothing at the pickup area. Ten minutes later I call the number provided on the order page for order problems. It's basically 3 minutes of ads in English and Chinese before saying there's no one on the line, go to the website instead. There is nothing on the website except the phone number. Massive waste of time. Order finally ready to pick up at 1:10 PM, so closer to 45 minutes for one noodle order. Not even packed with chopsticks or napkins. 0 stars.Edit:Great, so you get 90 seconds of ads instead of 3 minutes. This can be easily changed to having the call message first instead of the ads, or gee, i dont know maybe NOT telling people to call the number for order support. I see now that the website has you fill out a form that will take who knows how long to respond to.Absolutely no menu item descriptions mention utensils not being included. ok i only checked 4, maybe some do, but certainly not every single one Go on your website and please read them yourself. It shows it at the very bottom of the main menu, so if you know what you want to order and just add your item then go into cart without scrolling through to the bottom, you won't see this.Don't outsource your issues with your partners to the customers. You're using Picnic's space, their problems are also your problems.
September 09 · Eric Chan
We were super excited to check this place out with all the social media attention it's been getting, and it definitely did not disappoint. We ordered the lamb noodles and the meat was so tender, the noodles were delightfully chewy, and the sauce had a great heat to it. The only thing is that the noodles were a little too salty and greasy for my liking.
February 17 · Michelle Shin
Xi'an Famous Foods is now one of my favorite food places in NYC! I ordered Pork Noodles (order item N9 from the menu) and the noodles and pork were delicious! I asked for Mild level of spiciness, but you can choose to go for Little Spicy or Very Spicy as well (or not spicy at all if you wish). The portion was very satisfying. Other than that the place was rather casual, very affordable and clean. Xi'an Famous Foods will stay on my map of awesome foods in NYC for good!
January 23 · Krzysztof Goldy