Top 10 Famous Foods in Guilin

We think the food in Guilin is some of the best in China, and once you taste it, we're sure that you'll agree.

With the Li River cutting right through the heart of the city, you'll find plenty of freshwater fish prepared in delicious ways, like sweet and sour fish and beer fish. Rice noodles are also a regional staple, and fragrant Guilin oil tea is as much of a cultural experience as it is a culinary one. Let's dig into the top ten famous foods in Guilin.

Discover delicious Guilin foods with us

Guilin Rice Noodles (桂林米粉)

Guilin Rice Noodles

• Key Ingredients: Rice noodles, pickled vegetables, chili oil, meat sauce, braised meat, fried peanuts

Guilin rice noodles are a popular regional dish, served with a soy sauce-based sauce made with plenty of aromatic spices and thinly sliced seasoned braised meat. You can add fermented vegetables like chopped pickled cowpeas, pickled mustard greens, and dried radish cubes. You'll also find other toppings, like peanuts, and a dash of chili oil for extra heat.

You can find rice noodles anywhere in Guilin, and they are very affordable at just RMB 4.5 to 5 (about 65 cents) per dish.

Beer Fish (啤酒鱼)

A serving of Beer Fish

• Key Ingredients: Fresh fish from the Li River, beer, chili peppers, soy sauce, garlic, tomato, ginger

The main reason we love this dish is that it features fresh fish directly from the Li River, so you'll be able to taste the difference in every bite. This dish is a bit salty, hot, and malty from the beer.

Try this dish at many restaurants near the Li River area in Guilin, especially around Elephant Trunk Hill Park, Zhengyang Pedestrian Street, and West Street in Yangshuo.

A whole fish will usually cost RMB 60 (about USD 8.5), but it's perfect for sharing, so it's still an economical meal.

Bamboo Rice (竹筒饭)

Guilin Bamboo Rice

• Key Ingredients: Glutinous rice, minced meat, taro root, bamboo

The appeal of bamboo rice lies in both its taste and preparation. It's made by roasting a mixture of glutinous rice, meat, vegetables, and beans in a bamboo tube. The result is a rich, smoky flavor that infuses every bite of glutinous rice, making for a hearty and satisfying meal.

The best places to try this dish are actually a bit outside Guilin, in Longsheng County. If you do a rural homestay, you're bound to find plenty of it there. Some street vendors also sell it, and it costs about RMB 15 (about USD 2) per portion.

Sweet Osmanthus Cake (桂花糕)

• Key Ingredients: Glutinous rice flour, osmanthus petals, sugar

This cake is one of the best traditional desserts, and it showcases the unique flavor of the osmanthus flower. It's very floral and a bit sweet and goes perfectly with a glass of hot tea.

There are plenty of street stalls and stores selling freshly made cakes, usually for under RMB 5 (about 65 cents). If you buy it fresh, you should eat it the same day, as it won't keep well overnight. You can also buy these cakes in supermarkets, where they are vacuum sealed for freshness and make great local souvenirs.

Lipu Taro and Pork Loaf (荔浦芋头扣肉)

Lipu Taro and Pork Loaf

• Key Ingredients: Braised pork belly, Lipu taro root, fermented bean curd, rice wine

We think this is one of the most delicious and unique dishes in Guilin, with layers of tender braised pork belly and lipu taro.

First, a whole slab of pork belly is deep-fried until the skin becomes crispy. Then, it's sliced into thick pieces about 1 inch wide and alternated with slices of taro. Everything is simmered in a rich sauce made of fermented bean curd and other seasonings, which infuses the dish with flavorful broth. As a result, the texture is silky and decadent, and it's the perfect balance of sweet and savory.

This dish is available at chain restaurants throughout Guilin, like Agan Restaurant and Chun Ji Roast Goose. It costs about RMB 50 (about USD 7) per serving. Lipu taro and pork loaf are meant to be shared, so it's a great dish to enjoy with family and friends.

Tufted Li River Snails (田螺酿肉)

• Key Ingredients: Minced snail meat, pork, soy sauce, scallions, and fermented black beans

This dish is a signature Guilin delicacy featuring local river snails, minced pork, and different spices to give it a balanced, meaty, rich flavor.

The spice level can vary depending on where you get it. You can get this dish at restaurants near the Li River, specifically around Elephant Trunk Hill Park and West Street in Yangshuo, and order it together with beer and fish. Prices vary depending on where you go but are usually RMB 30 (about USD 4.3) per portion.

Guilin Oil Tea (油茶)

Guilin oil tea with different toppings

• Key Ingredients: Roasted tea leaves, oil, peanuts, ginger, salt

This oil tea is a savory, aromatic traditional beverage from ethnic minority groups in Guilin and has deep cultural meaning in the region. You'll find each sip warming and rich. Oil tea is made by pan-frying tea leaves with ginger and scallions in oil, then adding water to simmer it into a savory broth. It's especially popular during the winter, because it helps you keep warm on a chilly day.

Typically, you can enjoy Guilin oil tea at Xi Guoji, with a pot of oil tea costing RMB 39 (about USD 5.5) and including unlimited refills. Additionally, there are some delicious Guilin-style home-cooked dishes for you to try. Other restaurants may serve it by bowl, usually for RMB 2 to 3 (about USD 0.30 to 0.45) per serving.

Ma Ti Gao (马蹄糕)

• Key Ingredients: Water chestnut flour, sugar, diced fresh water chestnut

This traditional Guilin snack is made of a simple mixture of water chestnut flour, sugar and diced fresh water chestnut, and you'll occasionally find other elements, like osmanthus flowers, mixed in.

These cakes have a soft texture mixed with crunchy pieces of water chestnut. These water chestnuts are similar to apples and lend a crisp and juicy taste to the dish. You'll find it in the Xiangshan District for about RMB 3 (less than 50 cents) per serving. You can also find it at street stalls throughout the city's night markets, and many dessert shops and bakeries also sell it.

Guilin Cattle Eight Treasures Hotpot (牛八宝火锅)

• Key Ingredients: Various cuts of beef, including tripe, organ meats, and bone marrow, nuts, vegetables, and mushrooms

This ultra-hearty dish is a meat-lover's dream: a hotpot with several different cuts of beef and vegetables. It's quite similar to Sichuan Hotpot.

In most restaurants, this hotpot is made to order, and you can choose between clear broth, tomato, and spicy soup as the base. Then you can opt for different types of beef and vegetables. The raw ingredients are cooked in a pot right at your table for 150 to 200 RMB per hotpot. Occasionally, restaurants offer portioned versions of this dish as a side dish, and the cost is RMB 70 to 80 (about USD 10) .

Spicy and Sour Rice Field Fish (酸辣禾花鱼)

Rice field fish fried with tofu and chilly

• Key Ingredients: freshwater fish, chilis, pickled vegetables, garlic, ginger

This fish dish features fish often raised in rice paddies and cooked with a spicy and sour mixture of vinegar, ginger, chilis, and pickled vegetables for a bold flavor that's savory and has a kick of spice.

Try this dish at Zhuang-style restaurants, and share it for RMB 50 (about USD 7) per dish.

Popular Food Streets in Guilin

While you can enjoy Guilin cuisine at sit-down restaurants throughout the city, there are several popular street foods that we definitely recommend for a delicious snack and an authentic experience.

1. Zhengyang Pedestrian Street (正阳步行街)

You'll find Zhengyang Pedestrian Street right near the Two Rivers and Four Lakes Scenic Area, and it really comes alive after the sun sets. This pedestrian-only street is easily the most popular place to enjoy street food like Guilin rice noodles, Ma Ti Gao, and Stuffed Snails in the city. It's also an excellent place to get some souvenirs and interact with local people

2. Yangshuo West Street (阳朔西街)

Admire Yangshuo West Street at dusk

We recommend Yangshuo West Street if you're looking for some of the best fish in town or want to enjoy a portable snack, like grilled meat skewers or dumplings. You'll find plenty of tea houses here, plus places to get souvenirs. If you're looking for live music, Yangshuo West Street is definitely the place to go.

Tips for Trying Guilin Food

These helpful tips will help you make the most of your time in Guilin.

• Feel free to dine where the locals dine for a more authentic experience.
• Make sure that you specify what spice level you'd like.
• Drink oil tea early in the morning as a warming way to start the day.
• Bring cash, as some vendors in rural areas in Guilin may not accept cards.

Savor the Best Guilin Cuisine

Eating your way through Guilin is one of the best ways to appreciate this incredible area of China. Enjoy all of the flavors of this region with a personalized itinerary tailored to you. Email us at trip@odynovotours.com or visit our contact page to get started today.