Xi’an’s guotie, or pan-fried dumplings, offer more than a crispy bite. Made by descendants of the Xuan family, the handmade Hairong Guotie technique has been preserved for generations and was listed as intangible cultural heritage of Beilin district in 2022.
The dumplings are lightly fried, steamed and crisped again in an iron pan, creating golden bottoms, tender dough and juicy fillings. Unlike many pan-fried dumplings, they are left open at both ends and shaped into a distinctive curve. For locals and visitors alike, guotie is a taste of Xi’an’s neighborhood life, family traditions and enduring culinary heritage.
