Name: Xi’an Cuisine
Address: 90 Hay St, Haymarket, NSW, 2000, AU

China’s city of Xi’an may be known for its Terracotta Warriors, but it’s equally popular for its food. Sample regional specialties at Xi’an Cuisine, a small and unpretentious restaurant that is big on flavour.

Homemade cold noodles with spicy sauce are a big hit when the weather warms, topped with cucumber and bean sprouts for crunch. Meanwhile, the warmed knife-sliced noodles with spicy sauce are another regional speciality. A highlight of Xi’an Cuisine is its stuffed breads, which come filled with meats that are spiced with plenty of cumin and green chilli.

And then there are the dumplings. Xi’an’s famous sour and spicy dumplings are stuffed plump with meat and garlic chives, and poured steaming hot into a bowl of vinegar, chili oil, sesame, coriander and garlic. One bite and you’ll be hooked.