Guangzhou - Eating
Cantonese cooking is world-famous and yet the watered-down version we know in the West fails to do justice to the delicacy and vibrancy of the real thing. Because of its extraordinarily fortunate location on the Pearl River Delta, the wealth of food is enormous and the locals’ expectations are subsequently demanding. The Chinese say that the Cantonese eat anything that flies, except aeroplanes and anything with legs, except furniture. It is barely an exaggeration. But, while you may be inclined to stick to delicious dim sum and shy away from some of the fare on offer, there is still a freshness and vivacity to the cuisine that is difficult to rival. From roast suckling pig to stewed snake and from taiye chicken to the enormous variety of dim sum dishes, it really is a food lover’s paradise. And if you can come out of your comfort zone in Guangzhou, you could open your pallet to a host of flavours and dishes that would previously have been beyond your imagination. It really is one place where it pays to be brave!(The restaurants offered below are just the merest selection. Remember there are thousands in Guangzhou!)
Datong Restaurant
This huge 8-floor restaurant serving more than a 1,000 dishes with a massive variety of Dim Sum. An institution among locals, the roast suckling pig and crispy chicken are legend. A must if you are in town for a few days.
Liuhua Congee House
Excellent dim sum in congenial surroundings especially in summer because of the huge outdoor patio. Not cheap but very popular with the post club crowd as one of the best known round-the-clock eateries.
Shui Yun Tian
Very good vegetarian restaurant with great buffet options.
1920s Café
German-influenced restaurant with lovely riverside location. Live jazz in evenings and during the excellent Sunday brunch make it extremely popular with the ex-pat community.
Lemon House
Delicious Vietnamese-inspired food with tangy curry soups, frog legs, spring rolls and a whole host of other yummy dishes. People will queue for this place and once you’ve eaten here, you’ll understand why.
Dongbei Ren
Northeast Chinese cuisine offering staples such as dumplings (jiao zi) and shredded potato in chilli (Tu do si), this is great value and a welcome introduction to the heavier-based food from the North.
City Kitchen
Popular city-wide chain especially with the city’s youth. Food not that great but the lively mix of food, youth and chic décor seems to be a major draw as most branches are full to the brim.
Tao Tao Ju
One of the best dim sum restaurants in Guangzhou where virtually every animal part you can imagine is on sale. Although expensive it is revered by locals in the know who are happy to fork out that bit extra. Has kind of dim sum you might want – at a price!
Pan Xi Restaurant
Another very famous local restaurant on the bank of the Li Wan lake. Includes mouth-watering dishes such as fresh shrimps dumpling, nest dasheen and crisp three-flavoured rolls.
