Xibei Youmian Cun (Bao'an Center)

Xibei Youmian Cun at Bao'an Center is a branch of the Xibei chain of northwestern Chinese restaurants, set in the Bao'an Center shopping district of Xin'an Subdistrict, Bao'an District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. The name, which can be translated as the Northwest Oat Noodle Village, refers to the chain's focus on the cooking of Shaanxi and the wider Northwest, a region far from Guangdong's own rice-and-seafood tradition. The branch offers a familiar contrast for residents and visitors who want wheat, lamb and savoury flavours after several days of Cantonese cuisine.

The cuisine is northwestern Chinese, anchored by hand-made oat noodles. These are rolled and shaped into thin tubes or sheets, steamed, and served with a dipping sauce or a bowl of broth with lamb or vegetables, a preparation closely associated with the Inner Mongolia and Shanxi-Shaanxi region. Roujiamo, the Shaanxi sandwich of braised meat stuffed into a baked flatbread, is a staple, and lamb hotpot and other lamb dishes are standard fixtures. The menu also generally includes cold dishes, grilled skewers, steamed buns and baked breads, all designed to be shared.

The dining room is bright, clean and organised for families and groups, with decor that references the northwestern theme. There is no dress code, noise levels are moderate to lively at peak times, and service is efficient. Drinks include tea, soft drinks, soy milk and beer, and some branches serve northwestern-style yoghurt or barley tea.

Prices are in the moderate range and portions are generous, so a meal for two or three is relatively good value. Hours are roughly 10:00 to 22:00 daily. Reservations are not usually necessary, but weekend dinner can produce queues, and queue numbers or reservations are available through the Dianping or Meituan apps. Visitors new to northwestern food should order the oat noodles and a roujiamo to sample the core of the cuisine, and ask for chilli oil on the side if sensitive to spice.