What to eat in Guangzhou? 15 most famous & must try food in Guangzhou

What’s so appealing about Guangzhou’s specialties? What should you eat and where should you eat when traveling to Guangzhou? Find out more to prepare for your upcoming “food-tour”!

If you have the opportunity to visit China, you should definitely not miss Guangzhou – an ideal destination with unique cultural and culinary experiences. This vibrant city is not only famous as a bustling commercial center, but is also known as the “culinary paradise” of Asia. This is the cradle of Cantonese cuisine, famous for its sophisticated cooking style, light flavors but still imbued with regional identity.

Let’s explore with Living Nomads the Guangzhou specialties that make many food lovers fall in love!

Har Gow (Shrimp Dumplings) and Sumai – Famous Dimsums in Guangzhou

When mentioning Guangzhou cuisine, we cannot ignore the dumplings and siu mai – two typical dim sum dishes, loved everywhere. Shrimp Dumplings (Har Gow) stand out with their transparent, light, dewy crust, filled with fresh, crispy and sweet shrimp. Each dumpling is skillfully wrapped, forming a beautiful crescent shape, allowing you to eat and admire at the same time.

Meanwhile, siu mai (Shao Mai, Shu Mai) impresses with its rich filling of pork, shrimp and shiitake mushrooms, preserving the natural sweetness and unforgettable deliciousness. These two dishes are often enjoyed for breakfast or afternoon tea, contributing to the unmistakable characteristics of Cantonese cuisine.

To enjoy dumplings, visit Lu Yun Tea House on the 2nd floor, Wenchang Business Building, Tianhe District. The restaurant is open from 08:00 to 21:00 daily, with prices around 72 RMB (~262,000 VND) for a portion. For siu mai, go to Xi Dian · Dim Sum & Sweet Soup at the southwest corner of Hanxing Er and Hanxing Zhi, Phan Ngoc District. The restaurant is open from 07:00 to 23:00 daily, with prices around 41 RMB (~149,000 VND) for a portion.

Must try food in Guangzhou: Char Siu Bao

Char Siu Bao is a classic dim sum dish, considered one of the “Four Great Dishes” of Cantonese cuisine. This dish impresses with its soft, spongy crust made from fermented dough, with a sweet, rich char siu pork filling inside. The recognizable feature of the cake is that the top naturally blooms when steamed, looking like a small flower, very attractive.

You can enjoy Char Siu Bao at many famous restaurants in Guangzhou, of which Xing Yue restaurant at Time Mall is a favorite place for many tourists with a price of about 100 RMB/portion (~364,000 VND). This dish will surely fascinate you with its delicate blend of traditional flavors and irresistible softness.

Roast Goose – Traditional Food of Guangzhou

Roast goose is one of the famous traditional dishes of Guangzhou, loved for its crispy skin and tender goose meat, soaked in spices. The elaborate preparation process includes marinating the goose with honey, soy sauce and five-spice powder, then drying and roasting in a special charcoal oven to achieve the perfect flavor and texture. The dish is often served with sweet and sour plum sauce, a perfect balance between richness and freshness.

To enjoy authentic roast goose, visit Wan Nian Restaurant at 20-22 Yuexiu South Road, Yuexiu District, open from 11:00 to 14:30 and 17:00 to 22:30 daily, priced at around 83 RMB (~301,000 VND). Or Yong Xing Roast Meats at 21-4 Tiyun East Road, Liwan District, open from 11:00 to 13:30 and 16:30 to 18:30 daily, priced at around 84 RMB (~305,000 VND).

Wonton Noodles

No need to be fussy, just a bowl of hot, fragrant noodles is enough to make your whole day “delicious”. Guangzhou wonton noodles are a delicate blend of thin, chewy noodles, sweet broth and soft wontons filled with shrimp and meat. The clear broth is simmered from shrimp shells, dried fish and chicken bones, so it has a natural sweetness and is not greasy.

Try enjoying wonton noodles at Li’s Noodle House (296-298 Duobao Road, Liwan District), open from 09:00 to 21:30 for about 48 RMB (~174,000 VND). Another option is Cai Fu Noodle House (238 Dezheng Middle Road, Yuexiu District) for a more affordable price of about 16 RMB (~58,000 VND), open from 06:00 to 22:00.

Guangzhou Claypot Rice

Nothing is more attractive than the fragrant smell of claypot rice when you open the lid of a hot claypot, each grain of sticky rice blends with the rich flavor of chicken, Chinese sausage and shiitake mushrooms. This is a typical dish of Guangzhou, cooked in a traditional clay pot to preserve the flavor of the ingredients and create a crispy golden layer of rice underneath, making each spoonful of rice both rich and fatty.

Although simple, claypot rice always makes diners remember it forever because of the delicate blend of rice, meat and rich sauce. If you want to enjoy this dish, visit Min Ji Claypot Rice at 452 Huifu East Road, Yuexiu District. The restaurant is open from 11:00 to 22:00 with a price of only about 34 RMB (~123,000 VND).

Boat Porridge (Sampan Congee or Tingzai Porridge) – A Typical Dish of Guangzhou

Boat porridge, a traditional dish from the river community in the Pearl River Delta, offers a refined yet nutritious culinary experience. The soft, fragrant porridge is combined with fresh seafood such as fish, shrimp, lean meat and crispy fried dough sticks, creating a refreshing yet rich flavor. This porridge is a popular choice for breakfast, and is also a great snack at any time of the day.

To try the authentic porridge, you should go to Wu Zhan Ji (871 Longjin East Road, Liwan District), open from 8:00 to 20:30 with a very reasonable price of only about 13 RMB (~47,000 VND). This is a familiar destination for those who want to experience the traditional flavors of Guangzhou.

Sweet and Sour Pork

When the light sour taste blends with the sweet taste, accompanied by a crispy skin covering the soft meat inside, you will understand why sweet and sour pork has become a symbol of Guangzhou cuisine. The popular name “goo lou yok” is both humorous and reminiscent of the long history from the Qing Dynasty. The meat is marinated, coated with a thin flour and fried until crispy, then covered with a smooth sweet and sour sauce with bell peppers, pineapple and onions.

To enjoy this famous dish, visit Yongli Restaurant or Lao Feng Teahouse – famous places in Guangzhou with an average price of 50 – 80 RMB (~181,000 – 290,000 VND). This is definitely a dish you should not miss when exploring Cantonese cuisine.

Lotus Seed Paste Buns

Hidden inside the soft, smooth crust is a sweet filling made from finely ground lotus seeds – lotus seed buns are a delicate, light snack, very popular in Cantonese afternoon tea. When bitten lightly, the lotus filling melts in your mouth, bringing a sweet and fragrant feeling, pleasant without being boring.

A famous place to enjoy this dish is Yong Chang Bakery at 268 Xihua Road, Liwan District. The shop is open from 7:00 – 22:00 every day and you only need about 8 RMB (~29,000 VND) to be able to hold this attractive sweet cake in your hand. A perfect choice for those who love light, traditional flavors.

Kai Zai Bing – Guangzhou Chicken Biscuits

Guangzhou chicken biscuits are a snack with a long history dating back to the Qing Dynasty. You can enjoy authentic chicken biscuits at Guo Qiang Biscuit Shop, located at 356 Nan Hua Road, Haizhu District, open from 8:00 to 20:00 for only about 16 RMB (~58,000 VND). This is an ideal gift when you want to bring back a little bit of Cantonese flavor as a souvenir.

This cake impresses with its crispy, fragrant crust made from flour, eggs and lard mixed with a rich sweet filling, which can be red beans or peanuts. Each small cake with an attractive aroma is the perfect choice for those who like to enjoy a light sweet dish that is still rich in local identity.

Guangzhou Steamed Rice Rolls

If you are looking for a light dish that is enough to captivate people, Guangzhou Rice Rolls is definitely the ideal choice. Unlike the Vietnamese version, the cake here is made from thin rice milk, spread very thinly on a steam mold and then steamed, creating a smooth, elastic layer of cake like silk.

The filling can be minced meat, fresh shrimp or beef balls, with a little fried onion and a light sweet soy sauce. A famous place to enjoy banh cuon is Fang Ji Small Eatery at 280 Xihua Road, opposite School No. 82. The restaurant is open from 7:00 to 23:00, the price is only about 11 RMB (~39,930 VND).

Lotus Leaf Chicken Sticky Rice

Whenever mentioning Guangzhou cuisine, we cannot ignore the unique lotus leaf chicken sticky rice with the charming flavor of traditional ingredients. Fragrant sticky rice is mixed with chicken soaked in spices, shiitake mushrooms and fatty salted egg yolk, then wrapped in fresh lotus leaves, steamed until soft.

Lotus leaves help retain the natural aroma and make the dish much more attractive and sophisticated. This is an ideal dish for both breakfast and lunch, with a harmonious blend of rich and elegant flavors. Dian Dou De (Xi Yue Building), near Yangji MRT Station (open 7:30 – 21:00), selling each portion for about 68 RMB (equivalent to about 246,000 VND) is the destination for you to enjoy delicious lotus leaf chicken sticky rice.

Shahe Fried Noodles

Shahe Fried Noodles is a familiar and popular dish in Guangzhou cuisine with soft, chewy, and irresistible rice noodles. These noodles are made from rice flour and are clear, thin, and retain a moderate softness when stir-fried. The noodles are combined with beef, fresh shrimp, and crunchy bean sprouts, creating a harmonious whole in flavor and texture. This noodle dish is very suitable for lunch or dinner, light but no less nutritious.

If you want to try this dish, go to Wei Qiao Breakfast Shop in Panyu District, near the intersection of Changdi East Road and Desheng Road, open from 7am to 12pm with prices around 16 RMB (~58,000 VND). This is a popular destination among locals thanks to its quality and affordable prices.

Steamed Rice Cake (Bo Zai Gao)

After trying all the main dishes, you cannot miss the sweet snacks in Guangzhou. The sweet Bo Zai Gao rice cake, which retains the traditional flavor of Guangzhou, is definitely a “must-try” snack. Made from glutinous rice flour and tapioca flour, this cake has two popular versions: the traditional one with red bean or mung bean filling, and the modern one with a transparent jelly layer mixed with fresh coconut milk or mango.

If you want to experience Bo Zai Gao in its true form, stop by Chen Shuang Ji on Xihua Road, Yuexiu District, just a few steps from Rainbow Bridge Metro Station. The shop is open from 12:00 to 21:00 with prices around 16 RMB (~58,000 VND), suitable for a whole street food exploration trip.

Water Chestnut Cake (Ma Ti Gao) – Cool Dessert

In the middle of a hot summer day, a slice of clear, chewy chestnut jelly is the perfect choice to “cool down”. This Ma Ti Gao is made from water chestnut flour mixed with sugar and steamed, with a smooth, soft jelly texture and moderate sweetness. In addition to the “refreshing” feeling when it touches the tongue, this dish is also loved for its cooling and digestive properties – the ideal Cantonese dessert.

 

One of the famous places to enjoy this dish is De Tai Water Chestnut Flour, located at 242 Longjin West Road, Liwan District, near the Fuli Plaza complex. The shop is open from 7am to 7pm daily, with a price of only 14 RMB (about 50,821 VND).

Glutinous Rice Balls with Crushed Peanuts

Simple but full of charm, Glutinous Rice Balls with Crushed Peanuts (Tang Bu Shuai) is a traditional dessert often likened to the “lucky fruit” of Guangzhou people. Round balls of smooth glutinous rice flour are cooked in fragrant ginger syrup, sprinkled with peanuts and roasted black sesame. Therefore, the cake has a sweet and warm taste, which is very good for the body. This dish is not only delicious but also evokes a feeling of reunion, especially during holidays or cold days.

You will find this specialty at Fen Fang Sweet Shop – Donghu West Road branch, Yuexiu District. Open from 7am to 8:30pm every day, the shop serves Tang Bu Shuai at an extremely “soft” price, only 13 RMB (equivalent to about 47,191 VND).

Tips for Enjoying Guangzhou Cuisine for First-Time Visitors

It would be a pity to come to Guangzhou for the first time and not “eat all” of the culinary paradise here! This city is famous for its famous dim sum, and also has countless attractive street foods and rustic specialties. To help you have a complete and memorable dining experience, here are some useful tips:

• Start with local crowded restaurants. This is usually a sign that the food is good and the prices are reasonable.
• Choose seasonal dishes. Dishes like chestnut jelly or lotus leaf chicken sticky rice are often more delicious in summer and autumn.
• Go with a group so you can order more dishes and share a variety of flavors.
• Learning a few basic Chinese words like “spicy” (辣的) or “non-spicy” (不辣) is helpful!
• Bring cash as some small restaurants do not accept card payments.

FAQ About Guangzhou Specialties

What Guangzhou specialties should you buy as souvenirs?

You can choose to buy chicken biscuits, red bean cakes, dried fruit jams or traditional teas like oolong tea and jasmine tea. These dishes are easy to preserve, have a strong local flavor and are commonly sold in neighborhoods like Shangxiajiu and Beijing Road.

What is the most famous dim sum in Guangzhou?

One of the most famous dim sum dishes is shrimp dumplings, with a thin transparent skin and fresh shrimp filling. In addition, char siu bao and shrimp rice rolls are also very popular. You can also enjoy them at long-standing restaurants such as Guangzhou Restaurant or Dian Dou De.

Are there any famous food streets in Guangzhou?

Yes, Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street is one of the most famous food streets. Here, you will find countless street food stalls with specialties such as dim sum, fishing boat porridge and rice rolls. In addition, Yuancun Night Market is also an attractive destination for food lovers.

What should visitors pay attention to when enjoying street food in Guangzhou?

Choose crowded and clean stalls to ensure food hygiene and safety. Bring tissues and hand sanitizer to clean before eating. If you are a “weak stomach”, start with light dishes like porridge or steamed buns.

Are there any food tours in Guangzhou that help you explore the local culinary culture?

Yes, you can join a Guangzhou night food tour organized by local guides, like this one from Klook: Guangzhou Night Food Tour Led by a Local, Guangzhou Food Exploration Day Tour.

If you are a food lover, Guangzhou will definitely be an indispensable destination on your list of experiences. No need to be fussy, just a plate of dumplings, a bowl of hot wontons or a piece of fragrant cake is enough to “capture the heart” of every diner.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Guangzhou you can refer to

• Guangzhou Sunac Snow Park Admission Ticket
• Guangzhou Chimelong Safari Park
• Chimelong Hotel Guangzhou
• Guangzhou Sunac Water Park Admission Ticket
• Chimelong International Circus Guangzhou
• Chimelong Water Park Ticket in Guangzhou
• Chimelong Birds Park Guangzhou
• Private City Transfers between Guangzhou and Hong Kong
• Guangzhou Chimelong Hotel Buffet
• Qingyuan Gulong Gorge Drifting Glass Grand Canyon
• Guangzhou Sunac Land Admission Ticket
• Chimelong Paradise Guangzhou
• Guangzhou Science Center Ticket
• Canton Tower
• Chimelong Safari Park and Birds Park Tickets in Guangzhou
• Guangzhou Zhengjia Penguin Ice and Snow World Tickets

Read more China guide here.