Andy Ricker

James Beard Award–winning chef and author of Pok Pok

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Recommended by Andy Ricker

When I moved to New York to open Pok Pok, I ate at Xi’an Famous Foods probably two or three times a week for months, working my way through the menu of dishes that were unknown to me at that time but came blazing right up my alley. The spicy, herbaceous, meaty flavors and textures of Xi'an cuisine bowled me over; I was hooked. Today, I no longer live in NYC and one of the things I miss the most are XFF Liang Pi Cold Skin Noodles, so when Jason sent me this book I hoped to find the secrets that would allow me to replicate that haunting flavor here in the cold Pacific Northwest . . . and I'm happy to say that Jason has revealed all! (from Amazon)

Xi’an Famous Foods: The Cuisine of Western China from New York’s Favorite Noodle Shop is the long-awaited cookbook from the iconic restaurant, revealing never-before-published recipes. “Vibrant photography . . . as satisfying to flip through as it is to cook from.” ―New York Times “For any cook or foodie, having access to these recipes is almost unfair.” ―Richard Blais, winner, Top Chef All-Stars “A cultural chronicle of both cuisine and the immigrant experience in America.” ―Vogue Since its humble opening in 2005, Xi’an Famous Foods has expanded from one stall in Flushing to 14 locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. CEO Jason Wang divulges the untold story of how this empire came to be, alongside the never-before-published recipes that helped create this New York City icon. Recipes include: Tiger Vegetables Salad Lamb Meat SoupLiang Pi “Cold Skin Noodles”Spicy Cumin LambXFF Spicy and Sour DumplingsBeef and Ginkgo CongeeHerbal Hot Pot BrothSpicy Cumin Whole FishSpicy and Tingly BeefAnd more! Wang writes in his introduction, “Here it is, the never-been-told version of how the XFF empire came to be—the random weird pit stops along the way; the family drama behind the scenes; the labor hidden in the secret recipes, and, yes, some really f*cking good spicy cumin lamb.” This unique, extraordinary cookbook helps home cooks make the dishes that fans of Xi’an Famous Foods line up for while also exploring the vibrant cuisine and culture of Xi’an. Transporting readers to the streets of Xi’an and the kitchens of New York’s Chinatown, Xi’an Famous Foods is the cookbook that fans of Xi’an Famous Foods have been waiting for. Includes Color Photographs