Authentic Northern Chinese Cuisine
Xibei, located at The Shops at Santa Anita in Arcadia, is a restaurant based on authentic cuisine from Northwest China, featuring a spacious interior and a vibrant red-toned decor that creates a casual yet lively atmosphere. There are private dining rooms available, making it a great place for various group sizes, and overall, it was comfortable for dining. Xibei emphasizes showcasing authentic Northwest dishes made with fresh ingredients, and it was impressive to find a menu that presents traditional flavors with a modern twist.
On this day, we ordered a variety of Xibei’s signature dishes. The table was filled with a selection that included Peking Duck Half, Shredded Chicken with Cold Oat Noodles, Mongolian Beef Rib-Bone Platter, Xibei Style Shumai (Zucchini & Shrimp), Braised Pork Belly, and Chicken Broth with Tofu, covering noodles, soups, and meat dishes. Additionally, we completed our dessert selection with Crispy Fried Golden Millet Bomb and Xibei Signature Chilled Golden Millet Sticky Rice. The diverse cooking methods and flavors of the dishes allowed us to experience a wide range of tastes in one sitting, which was particularly enjoyable.
The Peking Duck Half was cooked to perfection, with a crispy exterior and moist interior, delivering a rich flavor with every bite. When paired with the oat flower wrap, sauce, and vegetables provided, the balance of flavors became even richer, making it an enjoyable dish for anyone. Although it was a half size, it was ample enough for 2-3 people to share, and it was a dish I would particularly recommend from the entire menu. The Shredded Chicken with Cold Oat Noodles was a dish where the nutty aroma of the oat noodles harmonized with the light chicken, making it a clean and enjoyable bowl without excessive seasoning. It was a perfect starter to whet the appetite before the meal.
The Mongolian Beef Rib-Bone Platter was a dish full of deep flavors, with tender ribs and a sweet seasoning that blended well, providing satisfaction until the last bite. It came with two large ribs, which were delicious on their own, but dipping them in the accompanying Sichuan Pepper added a subtle mala flavor, giving it a unique charm. The balance between the sweet seasoning and the fragrant spiciness was excellent, making it a dish that could be enjoyed without becoming monotonous. The Xibei Style Shumai (Zucchini & Shrimp) was light and perfect as an appetizer, with a subtly sweet filling and moist texture that made it easy to eat.
Braised Pork Belly was a dish where the meat was cooked tenderly and cleanly without any off-flavors, harmonizing beautifully with the rich soy sauce base’s flavor and nuttiness. Overall, the seasoning was not overpowering, making it enjoyable without any burden, and it paired well with rice or noodles, making it feel like a hearty meal. Thanks to its familiar taste reminiscent of braised dishes, it felt accessible for everyone to enjoy. Chicken Broth with Tofu featured a gently brewed chicken broth with soft tofu added, showcasing the most delicate and clean flavor among the entire menu. The subtle umami flavor was pleasantly continuous, making it easy to keep reaching for more, and it felt like a great option to enjoy without any heaviness among the richer dishes.
Crispy Fried Golden Millet Bomb was a dessert that was crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, with the sweetness and nuttiness of the brown sugar inside blending perfectly in every bite, making it irresistible. Following that, the Xibei Signature Chilled Golden Millet Sticky Rice had a chewy yet cold texture similar to a rice cake, which was appealing, and dipping it in the honey provided deepened the flavor, making it satisfying. Both desserts were so delicious that I think it would be great to enjoy them as a finishing touch after the meal.
Xibei
Overall, Xibei was a place where you could enjoy a variety of Chinese dishes in a spacious and casual atmosphere. Each menu item had its distinct flavor, making the table vibrant without any dull moments, and the impressive variety allowed for a balanced experience of meat, noodles, broth, and desserts. If you are looking for a hearty meal in a comfortable atmosphere in Arcadia, I would recommend visiting Xibei.
