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What is Guizhou Food Like?
In Guizhou, sourness isn’t just a side note—it’s a main character. Locals love pickling and fermenting, whether it’s vegetables, chili peppers, or even fish. The result? A tangy kick that wakes up your taste buds.
It’s not the gentle sourness you might find in a vinaigrette—it can be sharp, bold, and surprisingly addictive.
As for the spice, Guizhou people don’t hold back. Fresh chilies, dried chilies, pickled chilies—they use them all.
But unlike Sichuan’s numbing heat, Guizhou’s spiciness tends to be cleaner and more direct, often mixed with that signature sourness to create an intense but balanced flavor profile.
It’s a combination that might surprise you, but it’s exactly what makes the food here so special.
Popular Guizhou Food in Local with Photos
The photo above features 21 of the most beloved Guizhou dishes, enjoyed by both locals and Chinese travelers alike. From vibrant street snacks to hearty hotpots, Guizhou’s food scene is full of color, spice, and personality.
Just by browsing the images, you might already spot a dish (or three) that catches your eye. Keep reading to see which 10 dishes we've selected as the most suitable—and exciting—for international travelers. You might just find your new favorite.
And if there’s a Guizhou dish you’re curious about that doesn’t appear in the list below, feel free to let us know. Asia Odyssey Travel is here to help you explore Guizhou with flavor and ease.
#1. Sour Soup Fish/Beef - Superstar of Guizhou Food
"I swear I only meant to try a sip of the soup... but then I just couldn’t stop. The sourness from the fermented tomatoes, the little kick from the chilies—it totally wipes out any fishiness. One spoonful and boom—my appetite was wide open. The fish is insanely tender."
Sour Soup Fish is the absolute superstar of Guizhou cuisine. Everyone loves it. It’s made with fresh river fish stewed in a rich, tangy broth of fermented tomatoes and pickled chilies, a traditional recipe from the Miao ethnic group. Often, veggies are thrown in during cooking, and if you’re not into fish, beef or lamb works just as well.
Flavor: If you’re a fan of tom yum, this is a no-brainer.
Where to Find it: Kaili, Qiandongnan area, or local restaurants across Guizhou (and especially in ethnic Miao villages).
How to Eat like a local: Order it as a hotpot! And don’’t skip the Guizhou dipping sauce - it often includes May Chang oil (木姜子油).
Average Cost: $10 – $20
#2. Griddle-Fried Everything (烙锅)
"The first time I saw this dish, I was confused and amazed. A hotpot in the center, surrounded by a circle of barbecue? Genius. And the taste? A flawless mash-up of hotpot and grilled heaven."
Lao Guo (烙锅), or griddle-fried everything, has military roots—legend says soldiers used iron shields or roof tiles to cook in the field. Today, it’s a massive cast-iron skillet piled with goodies: pork belly, potatoes, lotus root, tofu, sausage—you name it.
The center often has a bubbling hotpot (sometimes multi-layered!), while the outer ring sizzles with smoky, savory flavor. It’s communal, fun, and totally delicious.
Flavor: Smoky, spicy, garlicky, and deeply umami. If you love Korean BBQ or Japanese teppanyaki, this will blow your mind.
How to Eat like a local: Pick your favorite ingredients, toss them on the grill, and dip in a custom-made sauce. Trust the locals—they know how to mix the dipping sauce just right.
Where to Find it: Liupanshui, Guiyang, Anshun, and street food night markets.
Average Cost: $10–$15 per person
#3. Siwawa - “Veggie Spring Roll Party”
“I didn’t expect to love this, but wrapping up my own little veggie burritos? Kinda addictive. It’s fresh, crunchy, and that secret dipping sauce? Game changer.”
Literally meaning "silk baby" (because the rolls are tiny and delicate), Siwawa is a beloved Guizhou street food that’s basically a DIY veggie spring roll. You get a thin rice pancake and a whole rainbow of finely stripped ingredients: pickled radish, bean sprouts, carrots, potato, cucumber, kelp and more. Then, wrap them up and dunk into a spicy, sour, garlicky sauce that ties it all together.
Flavor: Fresh, tangy, crunchy, and spicy. Like a vegetarian taco with a Guizhou-style kick.
How to Eat Like a Local: Don’t be shy—load up your wrapper with as many fillings as you can fit. Dip generously in the chili-vinegar sauce. Locals sometimes add a spoonful of fried chili oil on top!
Where to Find It: Street food stalls and markets in Guiyang and other towns, especially snack streets.
Average Cost: Around $1.50–$3.00 per serving (5–8 mini rolls)
#4. Huaxi Beef Rice Noodles - “Breakfast of Champions”
“I was jet-lagged and starving, and this bowl fixed everything. Tender beef, bouncy rice noodles, and broth that hugs your soul. You’ll wonder why you haven’t been eating this every morning.”
A classic from the Huaxi district of Guiyang, this dish is the breakfast of choice for locals. The bowl features silky rice noodles in a light yet flavorful beef broth, topped with thin-sliced braised beef, pickled vegetables, garlic, chili oil, and sometimes a scoop of beef sauce. It's simple, comforting, and hits the spot.
Flavor: Think of it as Guizhou’s answer to pho or Taiwanese beef noodle soup with optional spicy toppings.
How to Eat Like a Local: Customize your bowl! Add chili oil, garlic water, chopped pickles, and a few spoonfuls of house-made beef paste for max flavor.
Where to Find It: Everywhere in Guiyang and popular towns, but go to Huaxi district for the real deal.
Average Cost: $2.00–$4.00 per bowl
#5. Changwang Noodles
“When you don’t know what to eat, a bowl of hot noodles is never the wrong choice. Sure, it looks a little oily and intense, but once you take a bite—wow. Who knew noodles and blood tofu could taste this good?”
Changwang Noodles are a beloved Guiyang staple. The name sounds fancy, but it's all about comfort food. It features chewy wheat noodles swimming in a spicy broth made with pig intestines (chang) and blood tofu (wang), topped with crunchy pork crisps, garlic, and chili oil. Sounds intense? It is—in the best way.
Flavor: Spicy, savory, slightly earthy from the blood tofu. It’s got layers—definitely a bold, umami-rich bowl. Want it milder? Just tell the cook “shao la, shao you” (less spicy, less oily).
How to Eat like a local: Don’t overthink it. Stir everything together and slurp away. Locals often order it for breakfast—yes, breakfast!
Where to Find it: Noodle shops across Guiyang and throughout Guizhou. Look for a local spot with a crowd.
Average Cost: Super affordable, only $1.50–$3.00 per bowl.
#6. Fried Potatoes - Guizhou’s French Fries, but Better
“Okay, I thought it was just going to be fries. But one bite in? Total flavor bomb. Crispy outside, fluffy inside, potatoes can be so delicious. How are these not famous worldwide yet?”
Guizhou locals take potatoes seriously. These golden bites of heaven are usually deep-fried chunks, wedges, or even a whole ball—not thin fries—tossed in a mix of chili powder, crushed garlic, scallions, peanuts, vinegar, and Fish Mint (Yuxingcao). The result? Crispy, spicy, sour, and completely addictive.
Flavor: Spicy, tangy, garlicky, and a little smoky from the chili oil. If you're into salt & vinegar chips or loaded fries, you’re in for a treat.
How to Eat Like a Local: Grab a skewer or a paper tray and munch on them while strolling through a night market. Add extra chili if you dare.
Where to Find It: Street stalls everywhere—especially in Guiyang, Anshun, Kaili, and smaller mountain towns.
Average Cost: Just $0.70–$1.50 per portion.
#7. Sticky Rice
“I grabbed a sticky rice bundle on the go and… wow. Spicy, sweet and salty? Peanuts and pickles? ”
Nuomifan, or sticky rice, is a beloved snack food in Guizhou. Steamed glutinous rice is topped with an unexpected combo of crushed peanuts, fried soybeans, chili flakes, pickled veggies, and sometimes sugar (!). Some versions also include preserved meat or sausage. It’s that sweet-savory magic you didn’t know you needed.
Flavor: Sticky, chewy, a bit sweet, a bit salty, crunchy, spicy—an explosion of texture and taste in every bite.
How to Eat Like a Local: Ask for “half sweet, half salty” (甜咸都有) and let your taste buds party. You can eat it hot or cold.
Where to Find It: Breakfast shops and street vendors across Guizhou, especially early in the morning.
Average Cost: Around $1–$2. Bonus: super filling!
#8. Pickled Chili Chicken
“I'm not gonna lie - my first thought when I saw this dish was disaster. It looked way too greasy. But then I took a bite, and BOOM! Spicy, crispy, tangy, and so addictive I kept going back for more (even while sweating).”
Unlike Sichuan’s dry-style Lazi Ji, Guizhou’s version is wetter, bolder, and deeply satisfying. Chopped chicken (usually on the bone) is stir-fried with pickled chilies, garlic, ginger, and sometimes fermented bean paste. The result? A glistening red dish bubbling with chili oil and a sharp tang that awakens your taste buds.
Flavor: Spicy, umami-rich, and garlicky with a bit of a fermented kick. Think: the warmth of a stew mixed with the punch of pickled chilies.
How to Eat Like a Local: Spoon it over rice, noodles, rice noodles, or even rice Toufu, mix well, and dive in.
Where to Find It: Especially common in home-style restaurants and countryside eateries around Guiyang, Zunyi, and Kaili.
Average Cost: $6–$10 for a generous sharing plate
#9. Fried Tofu Balls (豆腐圆子)
“I thought these were just simple tofu snacks—until I bit into one. Crunchy shell, silky tofu center… it was like a savory marshmallow but better.”
Guizhou-style Fried Tofu Balls (Doufu Yuanzi) are hand-shaped tofu dough balls mixed with rice flour or starch, deep-fried to golden perfection. On the outside, they’re crispy and lightly browned. On the inside? Pillow-soft, creamy tofu texture that practically melts in your mouth.
Flavor: Mild tofu flavor at first, but once you add the sauce? Boom—spicy, savory, aromatic, and totally addictive. The contrast between crispy shell and juicy inside is everything.
How to Eat Like a Local: Gently break open the top, pour the sauce into the center, and eat it all in one or two bites. Locals swear this is the only right way to do it.
Where to Find It: Street snack stalls and wet markets across Guizhou
Average Cost: $1–$2 for a set of 4–6 balls.
#10. Smoked Pork with Fish Mint
"My friends beg me not to try it. Which, of course, only made me more curious. With everyone watching, I took a bite… and guess what? I actually managed to swallow it just fine. "
This dish is not for the faint of heart, but it’s a true taste of Guizhou. It combines two powerhouses of local flavor: smoked cured pork (腊肉), rich and savory with that unmistakable wood-smoked aroma, and fish mint (折耳根)—a bold herb with a sharp, earthy taste that locals love and outsiders either adore or fear.
Flavor: Smoky, spicy, and funky. The fish mint gives it a “love-it-or-hate-it” herbal zing, but paired with the pork, it balances beautifully.
How to Eat Like a Local: Eat it with plain rice to mellow out the intensity.
Where to Find It: Most common in home-style restaurants and countryside eateries, especially around Kaili, Guiyang, and rural Miao villages.
Average Cost: $5–$8 per plate, usually enough to share.
Explore Guizhou’s Variety with Asia Odyssey Travel
Guizhou is a land full of surprises—ethnic villages, stunning karst landscapes, terraced fields, mysterious mountains, and colorful festivals. At Asia Odyssey Travel, we’re here to help you experience the best of it all.
With our local expertise and experienced team, we know how to make your trip smooth, insightful, and unforgettable. Whether you're planning a visit to Huangguoshu Waterfall, Fanjingshan, or Kaili, we offer affordable tour packages that are thoughtfully designed to match your interests and schedule, including: Guizhou Tours, Guiyang Tours, Fanjingshan Tours, Guizhou Ethnic Tours, and Kaili Tours.
You’ll also find up-to-date, useful travel information on our website to help you make the best choices:
Best Time to Visit Guizhou: Mar to Mid-Nov (Weather Insights from Locals)
Guizhou Itinerary (3-7 Days): 9 Trip Plan Ideas with Map
13 Guizhou Festivals by Month: Ancient Heritage to New Trends
Guizhou Attractions 2025: What to Do in Guizhou China
Guizhou Food: Top 10 Dishes of Guizhou Cuisine
Traveling with Asia Odyssey Travel means less stress and more joy, as we take care of the details so you can focus on enjoying the beauty of Guizhou. Let us be your trusted travel partner—choose Asia Odyssey Travel and explore Guizhou your way.
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