Xi'an Famous Foods to Open in Downtown Crossing

The family-run restaurant chain is set to launch its first permanent Boston location at the end of next week.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Bold vector editorial illustration of a bowl of hand-pulled noodles on a wooden counter, evoking a warm and modern culinary atmosphere. — Xi'an Famous Foods will debut its first permanent Boston location at 255 Washington St. in Downtown Crossing next week. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Xi'an Famous Foods will debut its 21st restaurant location at 255 Washington St. in Downtown Crossing in late October 2026. The new 1,700-square-foot space will replace the company's existing ghost kitchen operation in Roxbury.

Why it matters

The company views the move into Boston as a key regional expansion, continuing its history of growth as a family-run operation funded by bootstrap financing rather than venture capital.

The new restaurant spans 1,700 square feet and will serve menu staples including cold skin noodles and stewed pork burgers daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. This site marks the 21st location for the business founded in 2005.

The players

David Wang

He founded the first Xi'an Famous Foods location in 2005 in Queens, New York.

Jason Wang

He is a central figure in the company's expansion who received James Beard Foundation award recognition in 2019 and 2020.

The details

The restaurant features an open kitchen format that allows customers to view food preparation on-site. While the Roxbury ghost kitchen is closing, the company is actively scouting additional potential expansion sites in Harvard Square, the Seaport, and Fenway.

2005: David Wang opened the first restaurant in Queens.
2018: Jason Wang first scouted restaurant spaces in Boston.
2019 and 2020: Jason Wang received James Beard Foundation award recognition.
2025: The ghost kitchen location opened on Shirley Street.
Late October 2026: The new Boston restaurant opens to the public.

Market Landscape

This opening represents the company's expansion into a competitive regional market while maintaining a family-run business structure. By avoiding venture capital and franchisees, the brand maintains operational independence as it scales to 21 locations.

Local diners gain a new physical location for the chain's signature noodle and dumpling dishes in the Downtown Crossing area. The closure of the Roxbury ghost kitchen means customers who previously relied on delivery-only service from that site will need to transition to the new dine-in restaurant.

The takeaway

The move from a ghost kitchen to a storefront highlights the company's shift toward high-traffic, permanent urban locations. Diners in Boston should expect consistent daily service hours as the brand cements its presence in the downtown corridor.