Food in Guangzhou

Five Traditional Cantonese Specialties

White-Cut Chicken

White-Cut Chicken is a traditional Cantonese dish, renowned for its crisp skin and tender, juicy meat. High-quality Sanhuang chickens are boiled until just cooked, then immediately plunged into ice water to firm up the meat and create a crispy skin. It is typically served with a dipping sauce of ginger and spring onion oil, highlighting the chicken's natural flavors.

Cantonese Dim Sum

Cantonese dim sum is an essential part of Lingnan culinary culture. The variety of dim sum includes har gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai (pork and shrimp dumplings), char siu bao (barbecue pork buns), and cheong fun (rice noodle rolls). Har gow features thin, delicate skins and tender shrimp fillings, while siu mai is savory and juicy. Char siu bao is sweet yet not greasy, and cheong fun is smooth and tender. These are the classic choices for Guangzhou's "one pot, two pieces" tradition.

Roast Meats 

Roast meats are classic Cantonese dishes, including roast goose, roast duck, and char siu (barbecue pork). Roast goose has crispy skin and tender meat, with a golden hue that melts in the mouth. Char siu is sweet and savory, rich without being greasy, and is a hallmark of Cantonese cuisine.

Clay Pot Rice 

Clay pot rice is a traditional Cantonese dish cooked in a sand pot, resulting in distinct rice grains and a fragrant, crispy crust at the bottom. Common toppings include preserved meats, chicken, and pork ribs, served with a special soy sauce. The dish is aromatic and comforting, especially in the winter months.

Radish and Beef Stew

Radish and beef stew is a traditional Cantonese home-cooked dish. It is made with white radish and beef brisket, simmered with a variety of spices. The radish absorbs the rich flavor of the beef, while the brisket becomes tender and flavorful. Paired with a bowl of plain rice, it is a simple yet unforgettable meal.

Three Renowned Restaurants in Guangzhou

Guangzhou Restaurant (Wenchang Main Store)

Guangzhou Restaurant is acclaimed as the "Number One Restaurant in Guangzhou." Established in 1935, it is one of the most famous and time-honored Cantonese restaurants in the city. The menu features traditional Cantonese dishes such as Golden Crispy Pork and Flavorful Stone Pot Pork, as well as a wide variety of dim sum. It is an ideal place to enjoy authentic Cantonese cuisine and morning tea.

Tao Tao Ju

Tao Tao Ju is a renowned time-honored restaurant in Guangzhou, established in the sixth year of the Guangxu Emperor's reign during the Qing Dynasty, with a history of over 150 years. It is famous for its high-quality and affordable morning tea dim sum, such as durian pastry, har gow (shrimp dumplings), and custard buns with flowing yellow center. The restaurant's ambiance is rich in Lingnan cultural charm, making it an ideal place to experience traditional Cantonese culinary culture.

Bingsheng Pinwei

Bingsheng Pinwei is one of the most representative Cantonese restaurants in Guangzhou. Since its opening in 1996, it has earned the reputation of "For Cantonese Cuisine, Go to Bingsheng" due to its high-quality dishes and innovative culinary philosophy. The restaurant is renowned for its signature dishes such as the pioneering "Soup-filled Roast Goose" and the "Crispy and Black Pork with Secret Recipe". These dishes are not only delicious but also showcase the restaurant's commitment to traditional Cantonese flavors with a modern twist.