Mutton Pao Mo is probably the most famous snack meal in Xian. And Beef Pao Mo is a variation. On our first night in Xian, the taxi driver told us not to have it for late night snack as it would be hard to digest and we wouldn't be able to sleep. It was on the 3rd day in Xian, while looking for a late lunch and passing by too many places that we didn't dare go into because of the poor hygiene that we found this small restaurant specialising only in Beef Pao Mo. The dish is baked unlevened bread torn or chopped into little pieces served by pouring hot beef soup and vermicelli into a bowl. There are lots of parsley in the broth and the chilli variety would include chilli. We asked for non chilli and I asked to break my own pao mo bread into pieces.

It was indeed a filling and warming dish. Very hot and rich in beef smell and taste and a real homely and comforting dish. We were full for a few hours after. My husband who had 2 pcs of bread in his bowl was full even at dinner time.