- Signature: Translucent wheat starch skin with whole shrimp filling, folded into 13 pleats.
- Best at: Taotaoju or Dian Dou De (traditional teahouses).
- Unique trait: “Crystal skin” that reveals pink shrimp inside.
Char Siu (Barbecued Pork) 🍖**
- Signature: Honey-glazed pork belly with caramelized crust and rose wine aroma.
- Best at: Chen Zai Roast Meat (uses lychee wood charcoal).
- Pro tip: Ask for “fatty char siu” (半肥瘦) for melt-in-mouth texture.
White Cut Chicken (Bai Qie Ji) 🐔**
- Signature: Poached free-range chicken served with ginger-scallion sauce; bones retain slight blood for tenderness.
- Best at: Banxi Restaurant (120-day-old Qingyuan chickens).
Cantonese Roast Goose 🦢**
- Signature: Crispy lacquered skin with juicy meat, stuffed with secret marinade.
- Best at: Shenjing Roast Goose (Panyu District).
- Key step: Air-dried for 12 hours before roasting.
Rice Noodle Rolls (Cheung Fun) 🍜**
- Signature: Silky rice sheets wrapped around fillings like beef, shrimp, or BBQ pork.
- Styles:
- Traditional: Steamed in cloth (softer texture).
- Modern: Drawer-style (chewier).
Claypot Rice (Bao Zai Fan) 🍚**
- Signature: Crispy rice crust with toppings like preserved sausages or chicken.
- Best at: Huangjiao Claypot Rice (30+ years old).
- Secret: Drizzled with soy sauce at the table for sizzling aroma.
Wonton Noodles (Wan Tan Mian) 🍲**
- Signature: Springy bamboo-pressed noodles with shrimp-filled wontons in fish broth.
- Best at: Wu Zhai Ji (Hong Kong-style).
Double-Skin Milk (Shuang Pi Nai) 🥛**
- Signature: Milky pudding with two layers of “skin,” flavored with ginger or red bean.
- Origin: Shawan Ancient Town.
Beef Offal Stew (Niu Za) 🍲**
- Signature: Braised tripe, lungs, and radish in spiced broth.
- Best at: Niu Lao (Xihua Road).
Pineapple Buns (Bo Luo Bao) 🍍**
- Signature: Sweet crust (no pineapple) with butter filling.
- Best at: Lianxiang Lou (crispy-top version).
Comparison Chart**
Dish |
Flavor Profile |
Texture |
Best Time to Eat |
Price Range (¥) |
Shrimp Dumplings |
Fresh, umami |
Q弹 (springy) |
Breakfast |
20-35/plate |
Char Siu |
Sweet-salty |
Crispy outside, tender inside |
Lunch |
50-100/half-kg |
White Cut Chicken |
Clean, herbal |
Silky with gelatin |
Dinner |
80-120/whole |
Rice Noodle Rolls |
Mild, savory |
Slippery |
Anytime |
15-30/plate |
Claypot Rice |
Smoky, rich |
Crunchy bottom |
Dinner |
25-50/pot |
More Guangzhou Travel Guides