Harden's survey result
Summary
“My favourite food ever” – “utterly delicious biang biang noodles with the most unbelievable texture and lip-smacking savoury flavour” are found at this “tiny gem of a cafe (with a couple of tables on the pavement outside) alongside Arsenal’s Emirates stadium”, where founder Guirong Wei launched the “incredible flavours of Shaanxi” on London 11 years ago (“now with added Netflix” following her episode of Chef’s Table, and with three bigger restaurants in more central addresses). It’s “not a place to linger – always jam-packed and noisy – but what it lacks in atmosphere is more than compensated for by the low prices”. Top Tip – “the pork dumplings are also excellent”.
Summary
“The Biang Biang noodles are sensational” at this “brilliant and friendly BYO” opposite Arsenal’s Emirates stadium (“I’m actually addicted to the food here!”); and “for the price, you’re unlikely to find better in London”. Its opening 10 years ago launched founder Guirong Wei as the standard-bearer for Shaanxi cuisine in London, and she has followed up with bigger, equally acclaimed venues in more central locations, Master Wei and Dream Xi’an (see also). Top Menu Tip – “the Biang Biang noodles are the headline dish, but the cold Liangpi noodles, the Qishan pork and the rich Paomo are also must-tries”.
Summary
“I could eat here every day and die happy”, say fans of this Shanxi street-food canteen opposite Arsenal’s Emirates stadium – “the homemade dumplings and noodles are consistently superlative and soooo moreish”. “Service is matter-of-fact Chinese, seating is short and tight”, “but you go just for the food and you’re not disappointed!”
Summary
“Cheap and authentic”: “the noodles are so unctuous and delicious” at this canteen opposite the Emirates stadium – “and it’s BYO to boot”. For Gooners, the “excellent food tastes even better if Arsenal win”.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Xi'an Impression?
117 Benwell Rd, London, N7 7BW
Restaurant details
Xi'an Impression Restaurant Diner Reviews
"You eat, you pay, you go...but what fine food. I'm afraid we return and do the biang biang noodles, ginger chicken and smashed cucumber nearly every time. Very functional, it's all about the spice (maybe unfair but the spicing feels a bit toned down recently, may be completely wrong). Always lots of food pick ups outside, but be aware that the noodles get claggy during the scooter ride."
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £40.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
117 Benwell Rd, London, N7 7BW
Opening hours
| Monday | 11:30 am‑10 pm |
| Tuesday | 11:30 am‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 11:30 am‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 11:30 am‑10 pm |
| Friday | 11:30 am‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 11:30 am‑10 pm |
| Sunday | 11:30 am‑10 pm |
