419 Elizabeth St, Melbourne, VIC 3000
@biangbiangmelb

The Sydney chain graced Melbourne with their first and only Melbourne store on Elizabeth Street at the end of 2020, boasting to provide Melbournians with authentic Xi’an (the city in China with the Terracotta Warriors) street food. Well-known Xi’an foods include biang biang noodles (known to have the most complex Chinese character), rougamo (also called roujiamo, it is similar to a sandwich), and liang pi (cold rice noodles).

For spice and noodle lovers, and anyone wanting to try new flavours of China, be sure to check out Biang! Biang! for some delicious freshly hand-pulled noodles, and flavours that quite literally pack a punch. While there is an upstairs dining area (decorated with cute Terracotta Warriors!), expect a line during peak times. 

TL;DR 4.5/5 stars

• Price 3.5/5 stars
• Taste 5/5 stars

Price (3.5/5 stars)

In general, the pricing is reasonable and standard. Depending on what and how much you order, the price could range from $10-$25 per person. Going in larger groups is always a great way to try more variety while still being cost effective.

Prices of above photos:

• Biang Biang Noodle with Beef: $15.80
• Biang Biang Noodle with Tomato and Egg: $14.80
• Biang Biang Noodle with Lamb: $14.80
• Cold Noodle with Sesame Paste: $9.50
• Rougamo with Pork or Cumin Beef: $8.00
• Drinks $3.20 (not pictured)

Taste (5/5 stars)

Really full, well-balanced flavours. Spice amateurs, we recommend having soy milk ready, but the burn is worth how good it tastes. There are of course some non-spicy options too.

MUST TRYS

Biang Biang Noodles 

Different regions of China have their own version of noodles, and the Shaanxi province (Xi’an is located within this province) version is very popular in its own right. Hand-made, thick and belt like noodles, with hot chilli oil poured over the top, and a choice of whatever topping you like. The classic biang biang toppings include the basic (just chilli oil), tomato and egg, and beef.

Rougamo (Roujiamo) 肉夹馍

Literally meaning ‘meat sandwiched in bread’, the rougamo is another classic street food snack, and is a popular grab-and-go type of food. At Biang! Biang!, they put their own modern twist on the classic, using a flaky pastry as the bread, rather than the traditional flatbread called baijimo. We enjoyed the use of the flaky pastry, as sometimes the traditional doughy texture of the baijimo can overshadow the filling. 

Liang pi 凉皮

Literally translating to ‘cold skin’, liang pi is a type of cold noodle dish made from wheat or rice flour that is super refreshing in the summer with the sliced cucumbers. However, liang pi is eaten all year round, and the spice will certainly keep you warm in the winter. We definitely recommend the Cold Noodle with Sesame Paste; we were surprised at how well the chilli and sesame paste blended with and balanced each other. Certainly a favourite flavour combination of ours when it comes to liang pi.

Verdict (4.5/5 stars)

Whether you love spice or not, whether you’re vegetarian/vegan or not, Biang! Biang! has dishes that cater to all. It is the perfect place for a quick bite, and an authentic trip through the cuisine of Shaanxi province.