Xi'an Gourmet House

You won't get a lot of fuss at this Midtown spot, an offshoot of the original in Duluth. You'll order at the counter and then pick up a paper plate, but what they may lack in niceties, they make up for with dialed-in cooking. Spotlighting the Xi'an region of China, the menu focuses on biang biang noodles and as well as boiled dumplings and dishes featuring plenty of cumin and other spices. Noodles are the way to go, though it’s never a bad idea to supplement with the boldly flavorful cucumber salad, and there must be dumplings, of course. Here, they are available on their own or with soup. Choose from pork and lamb and then tuck in to a baker's dozen of simply boiled treats served with a house-made dipping sauce that brings them alive.