The story
At this unassuming South Gate Market stall, the specialty is a generations-old vegetarian sandwich that Mark Wiens calls “fresh and crunchy,” packed with pickled vegetables and braised bean curd inside a sesame bun. The bean curd is braised until tender, then stuffed into a soft mo alongside a bright, tangy slaw—a simple, satisfying contrast of textures.
It’s the kind of street food that relies on technique and tradition rather than novelty, served at a brisk pace to a steady line of locals. For anyone exploring Xi’an’s famed street-food scene, this is a quiet, essential stop: a crunchy, savory bite that proves the best meals come from the smallest, most dedicated operations.
Synthesised by AI from every creator’s review. First reviewed 2025.
Most-loved dishes
AI summary of what 1 dish mentions say about the food
Reviewers rave about the vegetarian sandwich, where braised beancurd transforms a simple mo into a savory, soul-warming bite. The overall vibe is humble, hearty, and quietly addictive.
“What immediately stands out is how crisp all those vegetables are. The cabbage, the carrot, they're not heavily pickled, more like a fresh pickle mixed with vinegar and chili oil, and they retain that fresh crunch. Then you have the freshness of the sesame baked roll, crusted with sesame seeds, freshly baked. So many different textures. It's nutritious, lighter than a lot of the heavy, doughy, greasy foods. Goes down easily, light and refreshing, really crisp. And guaranteed it's loaded with flavor.”
What creators say
1 creator has covered Marinated Tofu Stall (South Gate Market). Most active: Mark Wiens
- Mark WiensLoved
Best CHINESE Street Food!! 27 Meals - Ultimate China Food Tour!! 🇨🇳 [Full Documentary] · @ 0:00
A generations-old stall serving a fresh and crunchy vegetarian sandwich in a sesame bun, packed with pickled vegetables and braised bean curd.
Dishes mentioned
Vegetarian Sandwich (Mo with Braised Bean Curd and Pickles)
What immediately stands out is how crisp all those vegetables are. The cabbage, the carrot, they're not heavily pickled, more like a fresh pickle mixed with vinegar and chili oil, and they retain that fresh crunch. Then you have the freshness of the sesame baked roll, crusted with sesame seeds, freshly baked. So many different textures. It's nutritious, lighter than a lot of the heavy, doughy, greasy foods. Goes down easily, light and refreshing, really crisp. And guaranteed it's loaded with flavor.
