It's on 1 of my list. Each entry below is what I wrote about it there, with my verdict on that list, the fullest first.
- Costunder $7
- Subway6 to 77 St, 6 min
- Address328 E 78th St, New York, NY 10075
- From my guide, updated September 2026.
Xi’an Famous Foods, named after the easternmost city in China, stands out as one of the best and most affordable Upper East Side restaurants. Their traditional noodle-centric meals, crafted from family recipes, embrace the motto, “if it’s not spicy, it’s not. As good.” The house-made chili oil adds both the kick and the flavor, allowing you to customize the spiciness level.
Best-selling items like the B1 pork burger and B2 spicy cumin lamb burger, priced under $7, contribute to Xi’an Famous Foods’ reputation as one of the top budget-friendly restaurants in the Upper East Side. A personal favorite is the A2 Liang-Pi, a stir-fried noodle dish featuring scallions, bean sprouts, cilantro, cucumbers, and spongy cubes of house-made gluten, an absolute delight.