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Dim Sum for Yum Cha
In Guangzhou, mornings don't start with coffee—they start with Yum Cha (早茶).
Locals gather in lively teahouses, sipping tea, chatting with friends, and enjoying a table full of dim sum.
It's not just a meal—it's a daily ritual and one of the best ways to experience the city's food culture.
Dim sum comes in all shapes and styles—steamed, fried, baked—with flavors ranging from savory to sweet.
What makes it special is its light, fresh taste, letting each ingredient shine without heavy seasoning.
Must-try Dim Sum Dishes in Guangzhou:
Har Gow (虾饺)
These are delicate steamed dumplings filled with shrimp, a classic dim sum dish known for its translucent wrapper and fresh, seafood flavor.
Phoenix Talons (凤爪)
While this dish might seem intimidating to some, chicken feet are a dim sum favorite. They're typically deep-fried, then steamed, and finally stewed in a fermented black bean sauce.
Red Rice Sausage (红米肠)
A traditional Cantonese sausage made by fermenting and steaming glutinous rice with red yeast rice, giving it a distinctive red color and a slightly sweet, wine-like taste.
Cheung Fun (肠粉)
These are soft, thin rolls made from rice noodle sheets, often filled with meat, seafood, or vegetables. They're known for their smooth, slippery texture.
Siu Mai (烧麦)
Another dim sum classic, these are open-topped steamed dumplings typically filled with pork and shrimp, often topped with a single pea or roe.
Egg Tarts (蛋挞)
A sweet ending to a dim sum meal, these tarts feature a flaky pastry crust and a creamy, lightly sweetened egg custard filling.
Most Popular Chinese Food: Top 20 Chinese Dishes
Where to Eat Dim Sum - Popular Restaurants in Guangzhou
In Guangzhou, opportunities to enjoy Yum Cha and dim sum are abundant, with options available on every corner, from bustling main roads to quiet alleyways. However, a few locations and restaurants stand out for their exceptional offerings:
Taotao Ju (陶陶居): 20 Dishifu Rd, Shangxiajiu Commercial District, Liwan District (has branches)
Established in 1880, Taotao Ju is one of the oldest restaurants in Guangzhou with the style of arcade (Qilou) architecture. Its special dishes include shrimp dumplings (Har Gow) and chicken feet (Phoenix Talons).
Lian Xiang Lou (莲香楼): 67 Dishifu Rd, Shangxiajiu Commercial District, Liwan District (has branches)
This upscale establishment, known for its delicious Char Siu Bao and other dim sum, has been serving locals and tourists alike for more than a century.
Dian Dou De (点都德): 57 Zhongshan 1st Rd, Yuexiu District (has branches)
Another classic dim sum destination in Guangzhou, Dian Dou De is famous for its Red Rice Sausage and Ju Pai Shuang Pin, a combo of chicken feet and spare ribs.
Yin Deng Restaurant (银灯食府): 37 West Second Horse Road, Liwan District
With good flavors, a wide range of dishes, and affordable prices, Yin Deng Restaurant has become the top choice for many locals for dim sum.
- Go early for the best experience. Yum Cha is traditionally a morning activity (around 7:00–11:00 AM). Popular restaurants fill up quickly, especially on weekends.
- Tea comes first. Once seated, you’ll choose your tea (like jasmine, pu-erh, or chrysanthemum). It’s not just a drink—it helps balance the flavors and digestion.
- Order a variety, not too much at once. Dim sum is meant for sharing, so start with a few dishes and order more as you go.
Meat Dishes of Cantonese Cuisine in Guangzhou
Cantonese cuisine is all about bringing out the natural flavor of ingredients rather than masking them with heavy spices.
In Guangzhou, meat dishes are a perfect example—lightly seasoned, slightly sweet, and rich in umami, with cooking methods like roasting, steaming, and stir-frying used to create depth without overpowering the taste.
Representative Dishes You Can Try in Guangzhou:
Roast Goose (烧鹅)
A classic Cantonese dish, roast goose is renowned for its crispy skin and tender, juicy meat, usually served with a sweet plum sauce.
Char Siu (叉烧)
Known for its glossy coating and tender texture, Char Siu is sweet and savory, often served sliced in thin pieces.
Soy Sauce Chicken (酱油鸡)
This dish features a whole chicken cooked in a flavorful soy sauce mixture, resulting in a tender and moist chicken with a savory-sweet glaze.
Steamed Spare Ribs (蒸排骨)
This dish is made by steaming pork ribs with fermented black beans and chili, offering a succulent texture and a great depth of flavor.
White Cut Chicken (白切鸡)
A whole chicken is poached in water with ginger and served with ginger-scallion oil. It's celebrated for its tender, smooth meat and pure, savory taste.
Most Popular Chinese Food: Top 20 Chinese Dishes
Where to Eat Meat Dishes & Recommended Restaurants:
Guangzhou offers a wide array of restaurants serving excellent Cantonese meat dishes. Some of the most notable include:
Bingsheng Pinwei Restaurant (炳胜品味餐厅): 33 Dongxiao Rd, Haizhu District (has branches)
Known for its innovative and high-quality Cantonese meat dishes, Bingsheng Pinwei is a top choice for locals and tourists.
Taotao Ju (陶陶居): 20 Dishifu Rd, Shangxiajiu Commercial District, Liwan District (has branches)
Established in 1880, Taotao Ju is one of the oldest restaurants in Guangzhou and is famous for its traditional Cantonese meat dishes.
Lei Garden Restaurant (利苑酒家): 4th Floor, Yi'an Plaza, No. 33 Jianshe Liuma Road, Yuexiu District (has branches)
Lei Garden is a renowned, high-end Cantonese restaurant chain that originated in Hong Kong. Signature items often include roast meats, seafood dishes, superior soups, and dim sum items.
In many Cantonese restaurants, especially BBQ shops, freshly roasted goose and char siu are displayed in glass windows near the entrance.
If you see a busy shop with golden-brown meats hanging up—that’s usually a very good sign.
Rice and Noodle Dishes of Cantonese Cuisine in Guangzhou
In Cantonese cuisine, rice and noodle dishes hold a special place, serving as the backbone of many meals. Rice, as the staple grain in Southern China, is commonly used in a variety of dishes.
The types of noodles used in Cantonese cuisine are diverse, ranging from thin rice vermicelli to wide ho fun noodles, and from egg noodles to wonton noodles.
Representative Dishes You Should Not Miss:
Wonton Noodles (云吞面)
A classic Cantonese noodle dish featuring delicate wontons filled with shrimp and pork, served in a rich broth with thin egg noodles.
Rice Noodle Rolls (肠粉)
These are thin, steamed rice noodle sheets often filled with ingredients like shrimp, beef, or barbecued pork, and coated with a sweet soy sauce.
Claypot Rice (煲仔饭)
A hearty and comforting dish where rice is cooked together with a variety of ingredients such as meats and vegetables in a clay pot, absorbing all the savory flavors.
Congee (广式粥)
Cantonese-style congee is a type of rice porridge that is slow-cooked until the grains are fully broken down, resulting in a creamy and velvety texture. It can be made with a variety of ingredients, such as lean meat, fish, and preserved eggs, providing a comforting and nourishing meal. One of the most famous versions is the "Century Egg and Lean Meat Congee" (Pi Dan Shou Rou Zhou).
Most Popular Chinese Food: Top 20 Chinese Dishes
Where to Eat & Recommended Restaurants:
In Guangzhou, you can find authentic Cantonese dishes such as Claypot Rice and Wonton Noodles everywhere, from street food stalls to high-end restaurants. Here are three recommended restaurants where you can enjoy these staple dishes:
Min Ji Claypot Rice (民记煲仔饭): 452 Huifu East Road, Yuexiu District
Established in 1979, Min Ji Claypot Rice has a history of 43 years. Most of the patrons are local residents from nearby neighborhoods, so you can be confident in the great taste.
Wan Xing Claypot Rice (万兴煲仔饭): 289 Wanfu Road, Yuexiu District
The Beef and Egg Rice is the star dish at this restaurant. The egg and beef are mixed together, combined with the aromatic scorched rice at the bottom of the pot, making it so delicious that you'll want to scrape every bit from the pot!
Wu Cai Ji(吴财记云吞): No. 20, Helongli, Datong Road, Liwan District
Wu Cai Ji, recommended by Michelin for five consecutive years, has a history of over seventy years, making it a truly time-honored brand. Its specialties are Beef Brisket Lo Mein and Fried Wontons.
Don’t miss the crispy rice at the bottom of claypot rice.
When you order Claypot Rice, gently mix everything—but make sure to scrape the bottom of the pot. The golden, slightly burnt rice (called guoba) is the best part and a true local favorite.
Guangzhou Desserts
Cantonese desserts, known as "tong sui"(甜水) or "tim tong" (甜汤), are a sweet finish to any meal in Guangzhou.
Lightly sweet and often considered good for your health in traditional Chinese medicine, these treats use ingredients like red beans, lotus seeds, black sesame, glutinous rice, milk, and fresh fruits.
Served hot or cold, they range from silky puddings to smooth soups—perfect for a small indulgence any time of day.
Representative Dishes You Can Try:
Double-Skin Milk (双皮奶)
A traditional Cantonese dessert made from milk, egg whites, and sugar. It involves a special technique of forming a "skin" on the heated milk, making a pudding-like texture.
Black Sesame Soup (黑芝麻汤)
A rich, smooth sweet soup made from ground black sesame seeds. It is often slowly cooked until it forms a thick, creamy consistency.
Red Bean Soup (红豆汤)
This is a subtly sweet soup made from red adzuki beans, often slow-cooked and served with glutinous rice balls.
Sweet Almond Soup (杏仁豆腐)
A traditional Cantonese dessert made from sweet almonds. The almonds are usually soaked, ground into a paste, and then cooked with sugar and water.
Mango Pudding (芒果布丁)
This refreshing dessert is a soft and creamy pudding made from fresh mangoes, gelatin, and cream. The ingredients are mixed together, set to cool, and then served chilled.
Where to Eat Dessert & Recommended Places:
There are numerous places in Guangzhou where you can enjoy these traditional Cantonese desserts:
Nanxin Milk Dessert Shop (南信牛奶甜品店): 47 Dishifu Rd, Shangxiajiu Commercial District, Liwan District
This shop has been serving traditional Cantonese desserts for over 80 years and is famous for its Double-Skin Milk.
Sha Wan Dessert Restaurant (沙湾甜品食馆): Shop 101, No. 33 Yijin, Xihua Road, Yuexiu District
Sha Wan Dessert Restaurant is a popular dessert spot often frequented by locals with 20 years. Double Skin Milk" (Shuang Pi Nai) is a signature dish of this shop.
Wu Li Tang (勿理堂): No. 429, Xihua Road, Yuexiu District (has branches)
Wu Li Tang is a renowned bakery known for its exquisite pastries, particularly its puff pastry desserts. One of its most popular items is the custard tart, which features a rich, creamy custard filling encased in its signature puff pastry.
Try desserts after savory meals, but leave room for variety.
Cantonese desserts are meant to be light and enjoyed in small portions.
Mix a hot soup like Red Bean Soup with a chilled treat like Mango Pudding for a perfect end to your meal.
Guangzhou Stew Soup
In Guangzhou, stewing soup—"bao tang" (炖汤)—is an art form. Slow-cooked over low heat for hours, these soups are prized for their clear, flavorful broth and nourishing ingredients.
Depending on the season and health needs, soups may include meats, seafood, vegetables, and medicinal herbs, carefully chosen to balance the body's "yin" and "yang." Served hot, they can be a comforting starter or a meal on their own.
Representative Dishes You Can Try in Guangzhou:
Old Fire Soup (老火汤)
A general term for various soups slow-cooked over low heat for hours, often involving a mix of meats, vegetables, and medicinal herbs.
Pork Rib and Chinese Yam Soup (排骨山药汤)
A traditional stew soup made with pork ribs and Chinese yam. It is often enjoyed for its nourishing properties and is believed to benefit the digestive system.
Chicken and Ginseng Soup (参鸡汤)
A hearty soup made with chicken and ginseng, enjoyed for its potential to boost energy and strengthen the immune system.
Fish Maw and Mushroom Soup (花胶鸡汤)
A luxurious soup made from simmering fish maw, mushrooms, and other ingredients to produce a flavorful and nourishing broth.
Snake Soup (蛇羹)
A traditional Guangzhou delicacy with a history of over 2000 years, this soup is typically made with snake meat, chicken, and mushrooms, creating a unique and complex flavor.
Where to Eat Stew Soup & Rcommended Restaurants:
Da Yang Original Stew (达扬原味炖品): No. 160, Wenming Road, Yuexiu District
Da Yang Original Stew is a time-honored stew restaurant with a history of forty years. One of its distinctive features is the use of coconuts as containers for their stews. The representative soup of this restaurant is the Bamboo Silky Chicken (椰子炖竹丝鸡) stewed in a coconut.
Da De Stew (大德炖品): No. 31, Haizhu Middle Road, Yuexiu District
Da De Stew has been stewing soups for three generations. Most of the stews in the shop have therapeutic effects, and customers can choose soups based on specific health needs.
Ask for the soup according to your needs.
Many Guangzhou stew shops let you pick ingredients based on what you want—energy boost, digestion support, or just a warming treat.
Don't be shy to ask the staff for recommendations—they know which soups are best for each season.
Seafood Dishes of Cantonese Cuisine in Guangzhou
Situated near the South China Sea, Guangzhou is a paradise for seafood lovers.
The city prides itself on fresh, high-quality seafood, often sourced from local rivers and the nearby ocean.
Cantonese chefs use cooking methods like steaming, stir-frying, deep-frying, braising, or roasting to highlight the natural flavors of each ingredient, while delicate sauces enhance rather than overpower the taste.
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Steamed Scallop with Garlic and Vermicelli (蒜蓉粉丝扇贝)
This dish showcases the freshness of the scallop, enhanced with the flavors of garlic and vermicelli. It's typically steamed to preserve its natural flavor.
Roasted Oysters with Black Bean Sauce (豉汁生蚝)
This dish features oysters roasted to perfection, topped with a flavorful black bean sauce.
Braised Sea Cucumber with Scallion Oil (葱油海参)
A traditional dish featuring sea cucumber braised until tender, then finished with aromatic scallion oil.
Steamed Sea Bass with Ginger and Scallion (姜葱蒸鲈鱼)
A classic Cantonese dish showcasing the freshness of sea bass, steamed with ginger and scallions to enhance its natural flavors.
Where to Eat & Most Recommended Restaurants in Guangzhou:
Panxi Restaurant (泮溪酒家): No. 151, Longjin West Road, Liwan District
A historic restaurant serving a wide range of traditional Cantonese seafood dishes in a garden-like setting.
Tao Yuan Restaurant (陶苑酒家): No. 43, Qingbo Road, Ersha Island, Yuexiu District
Located on Ersha Island, it offers views across the river to the Guangzhou Tower with a history of over 20 years.
Aunty Zhen's Cuisine (贞姨美食): No. 97, Liwan Road, Xiaoxiguan, Liwan District
It is known for its home-style cooking and comfortable atmosphere. The restaurant is often praised for its authentic flavors and the use of fresh, quality ingredients.
Go early in the evening or off-peak hours.
Guangzhou seafood restaurants often serve the freshest catches in the morning and early evening.
Ordering live seafood and watching it prepared adds to the experience—and guarantees maximum freshness.
Guangzhou Street Food
Guangzhou's street food scene is vibrant, diverse, and delicious, offering everything from bite-sized snacks to sweet treats.
The appeal lies in its simplicity, portability, and fresh ingredients, making it perfect for tasting on the go. Whether you're strolling through busy streets or historic alleys, there's always a flavorful snack waiting.
Representative Dishes
Lo Mai Gai (卤麦盖)
A traditional Cantonese dish, Lo Mai Gai consists of glutinous rice filled with chicken, Chinese mushrooms, and sausage, all wrapped in a lotus leaf and steamed. This compact, savory snack is ideal for on-the-go consumption.
Fish Balls (鱼丸)
Made from fish paste, these are often boiled in a light broth. Their convenient, bite-sized nature makes them a common street food item.
Roasted Chestnuts (烤栗子)
Particularly popular in the colder months, these freshly roasted chestnuts offer a sweet, nutty flavor. Their ease of consumption while strolling around the city makes them a popular street food.
Where to Eat & Best Places to Try Street Food in Guangzhou
Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street (上下九步行街):
A bustling street filled with food stalls offering a wide range of street food, from Cheong Fun to Tong Sui.
Beijing Road (北京路商业街):
Another popular hub for street food, teeming with vendors serving dishes like traditional dim sum treats and roasted chestnuts.
Yongqing Fang (永庆坊):
A historic and cultural area in Guangzhou, Yongqing Fang has been revitalized into a vibrant street that showcases the city's traditional culture and cuisine. The street is lined with stalls and small eateries offering a variety of street foods, from traditional Cantonese snacks to innovative fusion dishes.
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