Chicken hair clips have become a popular souvenir, as 2017 is the Year of the Rooster. [Photo by Xing Yi/China Daily]

This neighborhood south of the drum tower in the city's center hosts hundreds if not thousands of eateries.

The fang in its name is a term for "administrative district" in the Tang Dynasty, when Xi'an－then known as Chang'an－served as the national capital and welcomed foreigners from Central Asia traversing the Silk Road.

Over the centuries, their descendants settled in the city, largely congregating in this neighborhood.

Perhaps the most iconic－and one of my favorite－local dishes is yangrou paomo, or bread crumbled into mutton stew.

Diners tear round unleavened loafs into chunks and then hand their bowls to cooks, who stew them into thick broth with mutton and noodles.

The involved preparation process makes the experience a great opportunity to talk with your tablemates.

My father has always advised me to rip the bread into as tiny of crumbs as I can.

This not only makes the meal tastier but also creates more time for chatting.

I couldn't agree more.

After all, family reunions are what Spring Festival is really about.