Cantonese food is arguably one of the most wide-spread and celebrated culinary offerings from China. This is likely the reason the foodie folks at Michelin decided to publish a global guidebook wholly dedicated to the stellar South China cuisine. Hot on the heels of the inaugural Michelin Guide Guangzhou 2018, Michelin officially launched Fine Cantonese Food by the Michelin Guide 2018-2019: Asia, Europe and USA in November, 2018.
As your unofficial food scouts, we at That’s have picked out four must-try – and most importantly, inexpensive – Guangzhou eateries that were honored by Michelin’s Cantonese food guide. Bon appetit!
1. Dayang (Wenming Lu)
Bib Gourmand
Image by Tristin Zhang/That's
The hustle and bustle of popular tourist area Beijing Lu is not often found on adjoining Wenming Lu. But there is one spot on Wenming Lu that is a regular hive of activity: Dayang. When we visit, a long queue of hungry customers can be spotted from a distance, steam hanging over them in the humid Guangzhou air.
The tiny, time-tested shop serves up a palatable array of traditional Cantonese soups, with prices ranging from RMB10 for pork shank soup to RMB20 for black chicken soup, the latter of which is highly sought-after. Patience is key when visiting this popular spot, as it’s not uncommon for some customers to place large, 10-soup orders.
Image by Tristin Zhang/That's
Image by Tristin Zhang/That's
Open daily, noon-midnight; see listing for Dayang.
2. Hai Men Yu Zi Dian (Yanling)
Michelin Plate
Image by Tristin Zhang/That's
A lesser player in the Cantonese cuisine competition, Hai Men Yu Zi Dian offers diners fresh seafood prepared in the culinary style of Chaoshan, Guangdong’s southeastern region. Its Yanling branch boasts a dai pai dong, or, as per Michelin, an ‘up-market hawker stall’ experience, with diners picking their food at the entrance, where seafood is neatly laid out on ice.
Marinated crab, shrimp and mantis shrimp are special edibles from the region, while the famed beef-ball soup is also worth ordering. The must-eat foodstuff here, though, is fish. In-the-know patrons will tell you to pick your fish by season and always inquire about dish price. To give you a rough idea of pricing, two yellow croakers braised with sour plum juice, pickled cabbage, garlic and ginger cost about RMB40.
Like in many local Guangzhou restaurants, no smoking signs are noticeable in Hai Men Yu Zi Dian’s Yanling branch, but they are completely ignored by boozed-up customers.
Image by Tristin Zhang/That's
Image by Tristin Zhang/That's
Open daily, 11am-2pm, 5-9.30pm; see listing for Hai Men Yu Zi Dian (Yanling).
3. Xiangqun Restaurants
Bib Gourmand
Image by Tristin Zhang/That's
For over 20 years, the time-honored Xiangqun Restaurants (that’s right, there’s two, and they’re located directly beside each other) have been wowing locals with their beloved dishes and consistently executed flavors. Being honored by Michelin has put a halo over the eateries, although both drew long lines of hungry Guangzhouers long before receiving a nod from Michelin.
One of the most popular dishes at Xiangqun is the signature spring onion chicken (RMB50 half, RMB98 whole), which boasts succulent Qingyuan chicken in soy sauce and minced ginger. Restaurant staff also highly recommend sampling the ze-style frog and eel (RMB50, ze is a cooking method where food is fried in an earthenware pot with a variety of sauces), braised fish head (RMB50) and soy-marinated goose (RMB55).
Image by Tristin Zhang/That's
Image by Tristin Zhang/That's
Open daily, 11am-2.30pm, 5-10.30pm; see listing for Xiangqun Restaurants.
4. Beiyuan Cuisine
Michelin Plate
Image by Tristin Zhang/That's
The average price for a meal at Beiyuan, or ‘North Garden’ in English, might be the highest among the four eateries we patronized. However, considering their sizable mains and comparatively stylish setting, the renowned Cantonese culinary establishment, which sits across the street from the iconic Yuexiu Park, is well worth a visit.
Upon stepping into the restaurant, customers are greeted by a classic Lingnan-style garden. The dining room’s decor declares formality, with burgundy table cloths, ornate chandeliers and costly Chinese paintings and ceramic pieces by big-name artists.
The braised chicken with huadiao rice wine (RMB160 whole) and the steamed fish head with spicy black bean sauce (RMB158) are among Beiyuan’s many signature dishes. The restaurant, in addition to Cantonese cuisine, also dishes out Chaoshan and Hakka fare, as well as dim sum each weekend from 9am-2.30pm.
Image by Tristin Zhang/That's
Image by Tristin Zhang/That's
Mon-Fri, 11am-2.30pm, 5-10pm; Sat-Sun, 9-10.30am, 11am-2.30pm, 5-10pm; see listing for Beiyuan Cuisine.
[Cover image by Tristin Zhang/That's]
0 User Comments