and Ms. Yang Xiao, Executive Chairman of Xi'an Long-established Industry Promotion Association
From left: Zhu Cheng, Shang Ziyong, Bai Xiaoqiang
Eat pork and gourd heads in the shade of Shuncheng Lane
Shang Ziyong
Shuncheng Lane is a small, but by no means narrow alley that runs through the inner side of the Xi'an Ming City Wall and is roughly the same as the length of the city wall (13.7 kilometers). One of the reasons is that in my nearly 80 years of life experience, there are 60 years of living or working places, although there are as many as 5 places, but they are all within easy reach of today's Shuncheng Lane; as for the second reason, at the beginning of this century, when Mr. Li Shulei, a cultural scholar who is currently the executive vice president of the CPC Central Party School, was appointed deputy secretary of the XI Xi'an Municipal CPC Committee, he came to the Municipal Research Museum of Culture and History to talk with several librarians, and the main topic was to discuss the construction and transformation of Shuncheng Lane. I had the privilege of staying with the last seat and making a serious speech. Nowadays, in the face of such a Shuncheng Alley that is almost from scratch, but also getting better and better, as an old Xi'an person who has contributed some wisdom to its unique characteristics, how can you not like and worry about it!
Subject to the rectangular pattern of the city walls, this long alley is also naturally divided into four sections, east, west, south and north, and I am going to talk about one of the small parts today. Turn right into Wenchang Gate, walk into Nanshuncheng Lane, walk more than 100 meters, to the east side of the south entrance of Kaikai Lane, there is a two-story small building with a bit of ancient construction color, the first floor is on the side of the street, all of which are one and one shop, one of which is hung on the door with a black plaque on the gold background of "Zhu Xiuying's meat gourd head", which is very eye-catching. The old man Zhu Xiuying, the founder of this bubble bun restaurant, has passed away, and now the business is presided over by Bai Xiaoqiang and Zhu Cheng, two energetic men. Listen to them, this is the place where "Zhu Xiuying's meat gourd head" sprouted, although there are already a number of directly operated stores outside Xi'an City, and some stores are larger than here, but the operator still regards this store as his "flagship store".
Compared with the eye-catching plaque, the store is too small, and can only put down five or six small dining tables, together with transparent operation rooms that allow customers to have a clear view, the area is probably only about forty square meters! According to the owner, this is a temporary rented business premises, and the original store hall is not far to the west and is being renovated. Happily, the sidewalk outside the small shop door is wide enough, although it is early winter, but the row of street trees is not very small, opposite the shop, on the other side of the alley, is the magnificent Ming City Wall. Shuncheng Lane, which is not a pedestrian street, does not have many cars coming and going, so it has become a quiet enough place, but it is not lifeless. At the time of the meal, seven or eight small tables lined up under the street trees, and a few tables indoors, almost full of customers, my wife and I sat at a table outside. While breaking the bun and chatting with the main family, what is not every day is the customer's door, what zhandao operation is not coordinated with the city management, and the neighbors and neighbors... It is a day, the winter sun is shining, and the sun falls through the branches and leaves of the sidewalk trees, which are mottled and interesting, and the warmth is likeable. In such a good place that is not noisy and annoying, but also full of vitality and full of fireworks, it feels really good to enjoy the famous Xi'an snacks of good standards, such as pork and gourd heads!
Roughly speaking, the catering industry in the market, one is to meet the needs of the people for three meals a day, and the other is to provide high-end or more high-end banquet services; in my opinion, the former should be more important, and the variety of local snacks with low prices and good prices are the main meals that make office workers fill their stomachs. Operating snacks, maintaining unique flavors and ensuring health and safety can of course not be sloppy, but in addition, the luxury of store decoration, the exquisite use of tableware, etc., should not be overly pursued (the cost goes up, it is not to be paid by customers); and, as long as it does not affect traffic, the tolerance of roadside stalls should not be lenient and not strict. You know, the city is not only, or even mainly a scenery for tourists to enjoy, but so that many citizens can feel the convenience and comfort of the living place at all times and everywhere. A city with morning markets, night markets, and roadside stalls, a city that can let the people spend as little money as possible, eat as colorful and delicious as possible in the most convenient way possible, is enough to make citizens attach to it and love it. I said to Bai Xiaoqiang and Zhu Cheng: Wenchang Gate along the Shuncheng Lane to the east of more than 100 meters, the "feng shui" of this place is too good, both adjacent to the downtown, but also quiet in the middle of the city, both the sky and blue sun, the trees and green wind, and the thick city wall full of vicissitudes, no wonder diners flock to it! After moving back to the renovated store, we must strive to coordinate with the urban management and the neighbors, and continue to insist on roadside stalls, so that more people can get more happiness here for a longer time!
Of course, A saint Mengfuzi once said: "The mouth is also tasteful, and there is the same appetite." "Therefore, the high level of taste of imported things (in layman's terms, that is, delicious and positive taste) is the first element to consolidate repeat customers and attract new customers; for this, Bai Xiaoqiang and Zhu Cheng must have a deeper understanding, and there is no need for me to rap here." Zhu Xiuying's Pork Gourd Head has a central kitchen in Lantian County, where carefully sourced high-quality ingredients are meticulously processed before being sent to a number of direct-operated stores for further cuisine. One of the reasons why I became interested in this flavored snack bar and was ready to be part of its repeat team is also!
The official road name signs, one known as Shuncheng South Road and one Shuncheng South Lane, and the two signs must stand side by side. terrible!