Landmark food street recovers its appetite

Meanwhile, Zhao Wenye, 25, a Xi'an native, has also noticed some changes each time she orders halal food.

"Some well-established eateries now use high-tech devices to handle orders, providing customers with a new experience when they enjoy traditional food, and also showing that the street is keeping pace with the times," she said.

As Huimin Street became more upscale, rents also rose, forcing some traders to consider other ways to make a living.

In 2016, Liu opened a Huimin Street store on the Taobao e-commerce platform, specializing in several well-known local snacks. He said sales at the online shop have been "fine".

However, he has his worries. "My concern is that due to the traditional mindset and beliefs in the local community, development of our e-commerce platform will have to take place gradually," he said.

He plans to invite restaurants from outside Huimin Street to take part in his online business.

In early July, Wei Ya, a top-selling livestreaming host, anchored a broadcast in Xi'an, during which she presented several dishes from Huimin Street to audiences.

Sun, the restaurant owner and chamber of commerce head, has opened a new food street in Yuanjiacun, Xianyang city, 70 kilometers northwest of Xi'an.

"The street binds us together. Different generations of visitors have been to see it. The gourmet traditions and legacies of our ancestors have been secured. There's a real vibe here," he said.

"The street is also a bridge connecting our community to the outside world."

Jian Min contributed to this story.