China's oldest sandwich: a clay-oven flatbread stuffed with pork braised for hours in 20+ spices. Xi'an's Muslim Quarter night market is where to find it.
About Rou Jia Mo
China's oldest sandwich — a terracotta-coloured flatbread (mo) split open and stuffed with a mound of pork belly slow-braised for hours in a spiced broth of more than 20 aromatics including star anise, cinnamon and cumin; the bread absorbs the fat; sold at Xi'an's Muslim Quarter night market since the Qin Dynasty.
A baked flatbread (mo) split open and stuffed with pork belly slow-braised for hours in a spiced broth of star anise, cinnamon, cumin and more than 20 aromatics. The bread absorbs the fat. Sold at Xi'an's Muslim Quarter night market.
“A baked flatbread (mo) split open and stuffed with pork belly slow-braised for hours in a spiced broth of star anise, cinnamon, cumin and more than 20 aromatics.”
The mo is baked in a clay oven and arrives with a crisp exterior and a soft interior — the split absorbs the braising liquid from the pork.
What to Expect
At the Muslim Quarter in Xi'an the rou jia mo vendor chops the braised pork directly on a board and stuffs it into the bread with a ladle of braising liquid. The bread is immediately soaked through.
Why Try It
Rou jia mo tells you about Xi'an's Silk Road history — the cumin and caraway in the broth are Central Asian; the pork is Chinese.
Insider Tips
- Order from stalls with the highest turnover — freshly braised pork versus reheated is a significant difference.
- Xi'an's Huimin Street night market is the best location.
- Ask for extra braising liquid in the bread.
