What's New in Town?

Xibei, a restaurant specializing in the grain-rich flavors of Northwestern China, quietly opened its first U.S. location on August 1 at the Shops at Santa Anita in Arcadia. The 11,356-square-foot space, formerly home to Meizhou Dongpo, features high ceilings, multiple private dining rooms, and a sleek, modern dining hall. A refined bar area is slated to debut soon.

Executive chef Defei Meng, who grew up in Inner Mongolia, has been with Xibei for more than three decades, starting as a teenage prep cook before being tapped to lead the Arcadia kitchen. Meng describes Northwestern cooking as less about formal technique and more about preserving “honest, soulful flavors” from family kitchens. “The geography of Northwest China, with its grasslands, has long supported livestock farming, especially sheep and goats,” Meng says. “Lamb is a staple, often grilled or roasted, and wheat, not rice, is the primary grain.” That means fewer quick stir-fries and more slow-cooked stews, roasted meats, and noodle dishes. In traditional Chinese medicine, lamb is considered a warming food that helps the body cope with cold climates.

This is a very unique new addition to the area. You can find it at the Shops at Santa Anita in Arcadia, CA. To read more about this new restaurant, take a peek at my Eater LA article.

I also made a little BTS video when I went so click here to take a look.