Tastes & traditions of the Yellow River

Mutton soup with flatbread

For an authentic taste of Shaanxi cuisine, don't miss yangrou paomo, a warm mutton soup with crumbled flatbread that's both hearty and interactive. This Xi'an specialty features tender, slow-cooked lamb in a rich, milky-white broth seasoned with Chinese herbs and spices.

Eating yangrou paomo is a ritual in itself. Diners tear the flatbread into small pieces by hand before soaking them in the fragrant lamb soup until they absorb the broth while still retaining a pleasant chewiness. Then, mix in the accompanying coriander, chili paste and pickled garlic.

The combination of soft bread, succulent lamb and robust broth creates a comforting, textured experience perfect for colder days.

Most authentic restaurants in Shaanxi offer this classic dish at very affordable prices, typically around 30 yuan ($4.2).