Guilin's food is known for its tangy and mildly spicy profile. Guilin's cuisine usually uses fermented bamboo shoots and chili peppers to stimulate the appetite without overwhelming the palate. Most dishes cater to moderate spice preferences, but you can always request less or no chili according to your taste.
The cuisine highlights fresh local ingredients: taro, Li River fish, chicken and duck, and locally brewed beer. Cooking methods prioritize preserving the natural flavors, delivering pure, unadulterated freshness. The street food culture is thriving here. You can try everything from breakfast rice noodles to night market snacks.
Most Guilin dishes are wallet-friendly yet generous in portion, allowing you to savor authentic flavors without breaking the bank.
Below are iconic Guilin foods worth trying, along with restaurants and night markets where I regularly dine with family and friends. If it's your first visit, these culinary gems are absolute must-tries.
1. Guilin Rice Noodles: A Must-Try for Every Visitor
Guilin Rice NoodlesAccording to history records, Guilin rice noodles were invented over 2,000 years ago. When Emperor Qin Shi Huang's built the canal linking northern and southern China, it was serving as soldiers' staple food. These noodles became favored by merchants for their quick preparation and affordability. Even today, an authentic bowl costs less than $1.
Walk through Guilin's streets, and you'll spot countless rice noodle shops. They are locals' go-to breakfast. The most authentic way to enjoy them is "dry-tossed". The silky fresh rice noodles are topped with golden crispy pork and braised beef. Then drizzled with a broth simmered from beef bones, monk fruit, and 20+ spices. Customize with pickled beans, chili, scallions, or cilantro to taste.
Most street-side noodle shops serve the real deal. To spot authentic ones, look for simple stainless-steel bowls and prices around $1 per bowl. The fancier packaging or higher prices often mean tourist traps.
2. Beer-Infused Dishes: Beer Fish & Beer Duck
Beer FishLiquan Beer, one of China's most famous beer brands, is brewed right in Guilin. We have developed a unique culinary tradition of cooking with beer. The most popular dishes are Beer Fish and Beer Duck.
The Beer Fish uses live Li River fish. It is firstly fried crispy with scales on, then braised slowly with Guilin's Liquan Beer, tomatoes, bell peppers, and a secret sauce blend. The result? Tender flesh, crunchy scales, and a rich broth infused with malty beer aroma.
The authentic way to eat: first savor the crispy scales, then the fish meat, finally mixing the remaining sauce with rice. When ordering, confirm the price is by "jin" (500g), and pair it with stir-fried seasonal greens for balance!
Guilin's beer fish dish originated in Yangshuo. For the most authentic version, I recommend going to Yangshuo itself. There are countless beer fish restaurants in Yangshuo. Here are some tips for spotting authentic Yangshuo Beer Fish:
- Look for restaurants displaying live fish tanks - only fresh Li River guarantee tenderness
- Transparent kitchens where chefs use roaring flames - authentic preparation involves dramatic beer flambéing
- Fair pricing (80-120 yuan/jin) with clear menu labeling
- Established decade-old shops like Sister Xie's (谢大姐) or Chef Master (大师傅) preserve original recipes
- The dish should have golden-red, translucent broth with distinct beer aroma and crackling scales
Avoid restaurants promoting overpriced "wild-caught" fish - these are often misrepresented.
Recommended restaurants: Beyond famous chains near West Street (Sister Xie's, Chef Master, Sister Liu's), try local favorites like:
- 1）Fire Ox Beer Fish/火小牛 (#16 West Street)
- 2）Sister Chen's Beer Fish/陈大姐 (near Huashan Road gas station)
3. Oil Tea, Nicknamed "Chinese Coffee"
Oil TeaOil tea was originating from ethnic minority villages around Guilin over 600 years ago. This invigorating brew has earned its nickname as "Chinese coffee" through enduring popularity.
At traditional oil tea shops, you'll witness the fascinating preparation. The fresh tea leaves are stir-fried and pounded in iron pot with aged ginger and garlic, then brewed into an amber-hued, full-bodied infusion.
The authentic way to enjoy it involves pairing with crispy rice, peanuts, and scallions. Oil tea is often complemented by specialty rice cakes.
If you drink for the first time, you would find the initial sip bitter and spicy, but subsequent sips reveal a sweet aftertaste. Just as the Yao proverb goes: "First cup bitter, second cup astringent, by the third cup you'll find the flavor excellent." I initially found it challenging too, but now visit tea houses monthly.
Ordering tips:
- Individual sets (30-50 yuan) include a 500ml pot with standard accompaniments
- Group orders (100-200 yuan for 3 people) feature shared platters and larger servings
Authentic shops always prepare tea fresh in iron pot with wooden pestles - the aroma alone is worth the visit.
Top Recommendations:
- 1) Guo Ji Oil Tea (Locals' favorite)
- Address: 7 Xinyi Road, Xiufeng District
- 2) Yao Fei Oil Tea (Best cultural experience)
- Address: Wenming Road, Xiangshan District (near Two Rivers Four Lakes)
4. Guilin's Stuffed Delicacies: Snail/ Bitter Melon/ Eggplant/ Tofu Stuffed with Meat
Snail Stuffed with MeatOn Guilin restaurant menus, you'll inevitably encounter stuffed dishes. Guilin locals hollow out various ingredients and stuff them with seasoned meat fillings, then cook them through methods like braising or steaming.
The most famous is undoubtedly stuffed river snails. Legend says Li River fishermen invented this dish. They mix the snail meat with pork and refreshing mint before restuffing the shells, transforming humble ingredients into a signature delicacy.
Beyond snail stuffing, eggplant and bitter melon varieties are also common. Seasonal vegetables wrapped around meat fillings burst with juices when bitten, whether pan-fried or steamed.
In Longsheng's ethnic mountain villages, these dishes once served as bridal tests. A bride's housekeeping skills were judged by how plump and intact her stuffed vegetables remained.
These stuffed dishes appear in most Guilin-style restaurants at affordable prices (20-50 yuan per portion).
Recommended restaurants:
- 1）Chunji Roast Goose/椿记烧鹅 (Zhongshan Branch)
- Address: No.2 Middle Zhongshan Road, Xiufeng District
- 2）Xiao Nanguo/小南国 (Wenming Branch)
- Address: No.8 Wenming Road, Xiangshan District
5. Bamboo Tube Cuisine: Sticky Rice & Chicken Cooked in Bamboo
Our customers are making Bamboo Tube Sticky RiceThe lush bamboo forests covering Guilin's mountains and riverbanks provide the perfect natural cookware.
We often stuff fresh bamboo tubes with glutinous rice, preserved pork, taro and other ingredients, then roast them over firewood. When split open, the bamboo releases an intoxicating aroma blending with the sweetness of steamed rice. This delicacy is said to originate as portable meals for ancient Yao hunters. I highly recommend you try this speical dish when visiting Guilin.
Beyond bamboo rice, we also prepare bamboo chicken by roasting chicken pieces with mushrooms and goji berries in bamboo tubes. The chicken absorbs the bamboo's fragrance while staying incredibly tender and juicy. For the most authentic mountain flavor, pair these two dishes together.
You'll find these specialties at restaurants in Longji Terraces and Yangshuo. Longji's version is particularly outstanding due to their traditionally smoked bacon and sausages aged in mountain air. Prices typically range from 20-30 yuan per portion, varying by ingredients.
Recommended Restaurants:
- 1）Daohuaxiang Restaurant/稻花香
- Location: Ping'an Village (near "Seven Stars with Moon" viewpoint)
- 2）Quanjing Lou Restaurant/全景楼
- Location: Jinkeng Village (near "Xishan Shaole" No.1 viewpoint)
6. Taro Dishes: Lipu Taro with Braised Pork & Candied Taro
Lipu Taro with Braised PorkLipu in Guilin is renowned for its high-quality taro, which features prominently in local cuisine. The most famous taro dishes are Lipu Taro with Braised Pork and Candied Taro.
Lipu Taro with Braised Pork is a must-have at traditional banquets in Guilin. Layers of fatty pork belly (first fried then steamed) alternate with soft, powdery taro slices. During steaming, the meat juices permeate the taro, creating a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors.
Candied Taro, a classic Guilin dessert, features deep-fried Lipu taro cubes coated in golden caramel syrup. Served piping hot, the dish gets its name from the long, glistening sugar strands that form when pulling pieces apart. For best results, dip the pieces briefly in ice water to crisp the sugar coating before eating - but be quick, as the syrup hardens when cooled.
These dishes are widely available across Guilin. For convenient access in the city center, we recommend:
- 1）A Gan Restaurant/阿甘酒家 (Zhengyang Pedestrian Street Branch)
- Address: No.3 West Lane, Zhengyang Pedestrian Street, Xiufeng District
- 2）Chunji Roast Goose/椿记烧鹅 (Zhongshan Branch)
- Address: No.2 Middle Zhongshan Road, Xiufeng District
7. Snacks & Desserts: Sticky Rice Balls/ Water Chestnut Cake/ Osmanthus Cake
Water Chestnut CakeBeyond main dishes, Guilin offers delightful snacks and desserts. The most famous are sticky rice balls, water chestnut cake, and osmanthus cake.
Sticky rice balls serve as a portable breakfast for locals (especially students and office workers). Steamed glutinous rice wraps around crispy fried dough bits, pickled beans, sausage, chili, and scallions, forming fist-sized bundles perfect for eating on the go.
Water chestnut cake represents Guilin's traditional desserts. It was made from freshly ground local water chestnuts. The translucent cake embeds crunchy sweet chestnut pieces. You would taste a refreshing, bouncy texture that's sweet but not cloying.
Osmanthus cake combines Guilin's golden osmanthus flowers with rice flour. Freshly steamed, these cakes release a floral aroma, with visible osmanthus petals creating a mildly sweet, slightly chewy treat.
These snacks are widely available. Mobile vendors near schools sell sticky rice balls in mornings, while specialty stores like Jinshunchang offer packaged versions of water chestnut and osmanthus cakes as souvenirs.
Recommended Purchase Locations:
1）Osmanthus Fragrance/桂花香 (Laozihao brand)
Address: 28 West Jiefang Road, Xiufeng District (near Cross Street)
2）Jinshunchang/金顺昌 (Zhengyang Pedestrian Street Branch)
Address: Next to Bell Tower, Zhengyang Pedestrian Street
Guilin's Morning & Night Markets: Where Local Life Comes Alive
Morning Markets
Morning MarketsFor the most authentic Guilin snacks and a glimpse into local life, it is recommended to wake up early to explore the morning markets. By 6-7am, alleyways already swirl with aromas of steaming sticky rice and oil tea. Some vendors air-dry fresh Li River fish on bamboo trays, while others hawk seasonal vegetables and wild greens you've likely never seen.
Here, you can:
- Sip oil tea breakfast sets
- Watch masters cleaver-slice crispy pork belly with theatrical precision
- Observe mugwort cakes being handmade from scratch
Tips: Arrive before 10am and follow queues of locals with shopping baskets - where elderly regulars crowd around low plastic stools, you'll find time-tested excellence.
Recommended morning markets:
- Heishan Market/黑山市场 (near LianDa Plaza, Xiangshan District)
- Xishan Market/西山市场 (near Xishan Park, Xiufeng District)
Night Markets
Guilin night marketLike all Chinese cities, Guilin's night markets showcase the city's vibrant street economy at its most atmospheric. As twilight falls, sizzling woks and charcoal grills transform streets into open-air food halls:
- Li River fish crackling over flames
- Fried rice noodles erupting in aroma
- Squid dancing on iron plates with theatrical hisses
- Skewer assortments lined up like edible soldiers
- Must-try: 5-yuan "suan ye" - tart fruits (papaya, mango) dipped in chili salt, a flavor explosion unique to the region.
Local-favorite night markets:
- 1) Chuanshan Market/穿山市场 (near Chuanshan Park, Qixing District)
- 2) Qixing Road Market/七星路市场 (near Guilin University of Technology)
- 3) Shijiayuan Road Market/施家园 (Shijiayuan Road, Qixing District)
Travel to Guilin with China Highlights
From slurping steaming rice noodles to savoring Yangshuo's famous beer fish and sizzling street barbecue - let our local experts design your perfect food itinerary. We know every hidden alley and family recipe that makes Guilin's cuisine special. Your personalized gourmet journey starts here! Contact Us now.
(10,000+ reviews)