Guilin local food and restaurants, what and where to eat in Guilin

Guilin is not only famous for its picturesque landscapes but also for its unforgettable cuisine. Influenced by the spicy and sour flavors of Hunan cuisine as well as the light and delicate tastes of Cantonese cuisine, Guilin’s food has developed a distinctive local character. Below are some information of what to eat and where to eat in Guilin.

What to eat

Guilin Rice Noodle/桂林米粉

Guilin Rice Noodle, also called Mifen, is a traditional delicacy of Guilin, renowned throughout China for their distinctive qualities of being white, refreshing, soft, and smooth. They can be prepared in a variety of ways, with the two main types being Gravy Noodles and Broth Noodles.

Gravy Noodle, also known as Lufen, is generally referred when rice noodle is mentioned. The chef blanches rice noodles in boiling water and draining them, then adds a variety of toppings such as guoshao (fried pork belly), braised beef slices, sausage and barbecued pork, supplemented with a flavorful braising sauce, peanut oil and fried soybeans. Diners can customize their rice noodles with free additional ingredients like chili, scallions and pickles. This rice noodles are noted for its robust flavors and satisfying texture, often enjoyed with a noisy sound.

Broth Noodle, also known as Tangfen, is a variety of grave noodle. The chef cooks pork and entrails with vegetables in a small iron pot, then pours them over a bowl of rice noodles and garnishing with scallions, pepper and sesame oil and adding hot soup. Broth noodle has a more delicate flavor compared to grave noodle, with a clear and savory broth that provides a comforting warmth, especially suitable for cooler weather or those who prefer a milder taste.

Yangshuo Beer Fish/阳朔啤酒鱼

Beer Fish

Yangshuo's Beer Fish is a famous local specialty dish known for its fresh and spicy flavor, with no trace of the fish's natural fishiness. The combination of beer and fish creates a tantalizing aroma that is sure to whet anyone's appetite. The dish is made using fresh carp from the Li River in Yangshuo. The fish is first fried in camellia oil produced in the mountainous areas of northern Guangxi, then braised in premium Guilin beer, resulting in a unique dish that is both crispy and tender.

Stuffed River Snails/田螺酿

Stuffed River Snails, a delicacy popular among the locals in Guilin, feature succulent snail meat harvested from the rice fields. Guilin residents have perfected the art of extracting the tender river snail meat, mixing it with minced pork, cilantro, and various seasonings, and then stuffing it back into the shell for cooking. When it comes time to enjoy this dish, diners simply use their mouths to extract the flavorful filling easily from the shell.

Oil Tea/油茶

Oil Tea

Just like Guilin rice noodles, Oil Tea is a traditional and popular snack in Guilin. The common preparation involves frying tea leaves and ginger, then pounding them into a paste and boiling them with pork fat and water with the effect of invigorating and warming.

Different regions in Guilin have their own unique variations of Oil Tea. For instance, in Guanyang County, Guanyang Oil Tea is made by adding rice noodles, parched rice, and vegetables when boiling. Meanwhile, in Gongcheng County, Gongcheng Oil Tea is prepared with a variety of side dishes, allowing guests to add their preferred ingredients as they enjoy the tea.

Longsheng Bamboo Rice/龙胜竹筒饭

Longsheng Bamboo Rice is a traditional delicacy from Longsheng County in Guilin, renowned for its long history and unique preparation process. This dish is made using high-quality glutinous rice and bamboo tubes. The rice is soaked, steamed, and cooked inside the bamboo, resulting in a fragrant and flavorful dish. The rice grains are plump and have a soft, glutinous texture, infused with the subtle aroma of bamboo. Longsheng Bamboo Rice can be enjoyed on its own or paired with local specialty dishes such as Bamboo Chicken and Bamboo Fish.

Lipu Taro with Pork/荔浦芋头扣肉

Lipu Taro with Pork is a traditional local delicacy from Lipu County in Guangxi and the northern regions of Guilin. During the Qing Dynasty, chefs in northern Guangxi combined pork with large and plump Lipu Taro to create Lipu Taro with Pork. This dish has since become an essential part of wedding banquets and festival feasts in the region.

The preparation involves slicing the taro and pork, then steaming them together until the flavors meld perfectly. The taro's natural sweetness and the pork's savory complement each other, creating a dish that is both hearty and flavorful.

Where to eat

MC Found/麦香坊

MCfound is a charming old house filled with the aroma of culture and classic delicacies. It primarily offers traditional noodles, specialty grilled dishes, hot dishes, and desserts. The decor features traditional wooden furniture and antique decorations, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

• Recommended: Xueyi Shabao(Frosted Bean Bun), Jingjiang Rousi(Sauteed Shredded Pork with Sweet-Bean Sauce), Beef Burrito with Black Pepper, Pan-fried Pork Dumplings, Mille-feuille
• Operating Hours: 10:00 AM - 9:30 PM
• Address: No. 7 Xinyi Road, Guilin
• Telephone: 0773-2858866

Taste Made Restaurant/味道制造

Taste Made Restaurant is a "Guilin local delicacies with new concept" restaurant that integrates the essence of China's eight big cuisines with cooking styles from various Western countries, creating a modern dining experience. The restaurant offers attentive service, a comfortable environment, and affordable prices, making Taste Made Restaurant a unique and popular dining destination.

• Recommended: Stone Pot Beef, Lion’s Head, Steamed Turbot, Spicy Slat Pork Trotter
• Operating Hours: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
• Address: No. 19 Li River East Road, Guilin
• Telephone: 0773-5880098

Chunji Roasted Goose Restaurant/椿记烧鹅

In Guilin, there are multiple branches of the renowned brand chain, Chunji Roast Goose. This brand has garnered prestigious accolades such as the 'Chinese Culinary Famous Restaurant' and 'Top 10 Brands of Guangxi Cuisine'. Their flagship product, roast goose, is celebrated for its natural health benefits and irresistibly crispy, fragrant taste, delighting both locals and tourists from far and wide.

• Recommended: Chunji Roasted Goose, Crispy Durian Cake, BBQ Pork with Honey Sauce, Basi Taro(Hot Candied Sweet Taro), Assorted Spiced Goose, Foie Gras
• Operating Hours: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
• Address: No. 8 Zhongshan Middle Road, Guilin
• Telephone: 0773-2806188

Kali Mirch (black pepper) Indian Cuisine/黑胡椒印度餐厅

Kali Mirch Indian Cuisine is one of the few Indian-themed restaurants in Guilin, and it is highly favored by most lovers of Indian cuisine in the city. At Kali Mirch Indian Cuisine, you can expect to find a variety of traditional Indian dishes. Moreover, the restaurant also offers vegan, halal, and gluten free options to cater to diverse tastes and preferences.

• Recommended: Butter Naan, Garlic Naan, Chicken Tikka, Mutton with Aloo Curry, Chicken Biryani
• Operating Hours: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
• Address: No. 5 Renmin Road, Guilin
• Telephone: 13737396451

Rosemary Café/迷迭香咖啡馆

Established on November 13th, 2000, Rosemary's Café is one of the older Western restaurants in Guilin and is also the most popular among foreigners. It offers a wide variety of Western cuisine and pastries, exuding the cozy atmosphere of a charming international pub. In addition to dining, the restaurant transforms into a café in the evening, where guests can enjoy a cup of coffee.

• Recommended: Banana Smoothie, Lasagna, Spaghetti, Rosemary Pizza, Chocolate Banana Waffles
• Operating Hours: 10:00 AM - 02:00 PM
• Address: No. 1 Yiren Road, Guilin
• Telephone: 0773-2810063

Yi Coffee Viewing Restaurant/忆咖啡观景餐厅

Located opposite Xiangshan Park, on the top floor of the Vienna Hotel, Yi Coffee Viewing Restaurant features outdoor scenic seating. The menu primarily focuses on Western cuisine. While dining, guests can enjoy panoramic views of the Li River, Elephant Trunk Hill, and the Sun and Moon Pagodas through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

• Recommended: Wellington steak, Tomahawk steak, Cream Cheese – Lobster, Black Pepper Beef Willow Pasta, Red Velvet
• Operating Hours: 11:00 AM - 00:00 AM
• Address: 6F, Venus Royal Hotel, No. 11 Binjiang Road, Guilin
• Telephone: 0773-2259977

Street Food

Zhengyang Pedestrian Street: This is Guilin's most popular tourist and commercial area, renowned for its rich variety of snacks and delicacies. Here, you can find everything from snail noodles, glutinous rice, glutinous rice with chicken, fried tofu, taro cake, and stir-fried rice cakes.

Xicheng Pedestrian Street: As the second major pedestrian street in Guilin after Zhengyang Road, Xicheng Pedestrian Street is a hub for leisure, shopping, and dining, particularly known for its vibrant night market. In the evening, the street is filled with various stalls and snacks, offering mutton vermicelli, stuffed pancakes, wontons, spicy hotpot, herbal teas, and more.

East-West Alley: This street is home to many traditional Guilin snacks, including oil tea, pine nut candy, osmanthus cake, vegetarian nun noodles, water chestnut steamed cake, various barbecues, and several unique restaurants and bars.

Useful Guilin Travel Information

• 1. Guilin Travel Guide, Plan a Suitable Trip »
• 2. Best Time to Visit Guilin »
• 3. Suggested Guilin Itinerary »
• 4. Top Tourist Attractions in Guilin »
• 5. Best Things to Do in Guilin »
• 6. Hands-on Cultural Immersions »
• 7. Best Places to Visit of Guilin »
• 8. Guilin Local Food and Restaurants »
• 9. Luxury & Boutique Hotels in Guilin »
• 10. Guilin Local Culture »
• 11. Best Tailor-made Guilin Tours »