Guizhou Food: Top 10 Local Dishes & Snacks

When we travel, it's not just about the scenery and local culture; tasting regional cuisine is also an essential part of the trip. Unlike the numbing heat of Sichuan cuisine, Guizhou food stands out for its bold sour and spicy flavors. But don't worry if you're not into spicy food, there are still plenty of tasty options to enjoy.

After personally exploring Guizhou, I've handpicked 10 must-try dishes to help you plan a truly flavorful and authentic Guizhou trip.

Top 10 Guizhou foods & snacks

1. Guizhou Sour Soup Fish/Beef

Guizhou sour soup beef

Key ingredients: Guizhou-style sour soup, fish or beef

This dish is based on the traditional sour soup created by the Miao ethnic group in Guizhou. You can choose to add fish, beef, or even vegetables to the soup. Similar to a hotpot experience, but with a unique sour broth instead of the typical Sichuan hotpot spicy base.

The sour soup is fermented with pickled chili peppers, tomatoes, rice vinegar, etc. It's tangy and flavorful without being too spicy. When fresh river fish is added, the broth becomes both refreshing and rich, and the fish turns tender and silky.

Where to eat: 

You'll find Sour Soup Fish in restaurants all across Guizhou, from Guiyang to Kaili and other places. The price is around 50-60 RMB per person.

2. Huaxi Beef Rice Noodles

Huaxi Beef Rice Noodles

Key ingredients: Beef bone broth, beef slices, rice noodles

Huaxi Beef Rice Noodles' history can be traced back to the Qing Dynasty, with a history of over 100 years. While beef rice noodles may be a simple meal elsewhere, in Guiyang, they hold a special place in the city's culture and daily life. For locals, it's more than just food; it's a taste of home. If you travel to Guiyang, enjoying a bowl of Huaxi Beef Rice Noodles is highly recommended.

Where to eat: 

Popular spots include Huaxi Wangji Beef Rice Noodles and Feiwan Beef Rice Noodles, with prices typically ranging from 12 to 15 RMB per bowl.

3. Qingyan Tofu

Qingyan Tofu in Guizhou

Key ingredients: Toufu

If you're a fan of soy-based dishes, this local snack is worth trying. Qingyan Tofu is also a traditional snack of Qingyan Ancient Town in Guiyang. The tofu is lightly deep-fried until golden on the outside and tender on the inside, then served with a mildly spicy chili sauce that adds just the right amount of flavor.

Where to eat:

You can find this dish not only in Qingyan Ancient Town, but also in many restaurants around Guiyang and other cities in Guizhou. A serving typically costs around 15-20 RMB.

4. Changwang Noodles

Changwang Noodles

Key ingredients: Noodles, pig intestines, blood Tofu, bean sprouts

The history of Changwang Noodles also dates back to the Qing Dynasty. The name ''Changwang'' symbolizes long-lasting prosperity and good fortune, making this dish not only flavorful but also culturally meaningful.

The noodles are rich, slightly spicy, and a bit oily. If you're sensitive to spicy food, you can ask the vendor to skip the chili oil. Since the dish contains pork intestines and blood tofu, it may not be suitable for those who don't eat pork.

Where to eat:

In downtown Guiyang, well-known spots for Changwang Noodles include Jiang's Changwang Noodles, Gold Medal Luo's, and Nanmenkou Changwang Noodles. Prices usually range from 13 to 15 RMB per bowl.

5. Zhuangyuan Pig Trotters

Zhuangyuan Pig Trotters

Key Ingredient: Pig trotters

Also known as Qingyan Pig Trotters, this dish is the most famous local specialty of Qingyan Ancient Town, located in Huaxi District, Guiyang. The name "Zhuangyuan pig trotters" comes from a historical story: In 1886, during the Qing Dynasty, a scholar named Zhao Yijiong ate this dish before taking the imperial examination and went on to become the top scorer (Zhuangyuan).

He was the first person from the Yunnan-Guizhou region to achieve this honor. Because of his achievement, the dish became famous and is now associated with good luck and success.

Where to eat:

This dish is widely sold by street vendors in Qingyan Ancient Town. It's not spicy and has a rich and tender flavor. The price is usually around 20-25 RMB per person.

6. Zunyi Lamb Rice Noodles

Zunyi Lamb Rice Noodles

Key ingredients: Lamb meat, rice noodles

Zunyi Lamb Rice Noodles are not only popular across Guizhou but are also considered one of the top rice noodle dishes in China. The dish originates from Zunyi, a city in northern Guizhou. While Zunyi may not be a major tourist destination, it holds great historical significance as a key site in the Chinese Communist Revolution and is also the birthplace of the famous Moutai liquor.

Where to eat:

If your Guizhou journey doesn't include a stop in Zunyi city, don't worry; you can still enjoy an authentic bowl of Zunyi lamb noodles in Guiyang. Our local guides can recommend trusted local spots. Prices typically range from 12 to 15 RMB per bowl.

7. Siwawa-Guizhou Vegetable Spring Rolls

Key ingredients: Rice wrappers, assorted vegetables (carrot, cucumber, kelp, etc.)

This is a popular Guizhou street snack in summer. The Chinese name ''Siwawa'' literally means ''silken baby'', as the rolled shape resembles a baby wrapped snugly in a blanket. A thin, soft rice wrapper is filled with a colorful mix of shredded seasonal vegetables, then topped with a special sour-and-spicy sauce.

Where to eat:

This light and refreshing snack is very vegetarian-friendly. You can find Siwawa in many streets of Guiyang, including famous streets including Caijia Street and Minsheng Road.

A serving usually costs around 15-20 RMB, and extra vegetables are often free.

8. Gaoba Porridge

Gaoba Porridge

Key ingredients: Lotus root starch, glutinous rice flour, peanuts, sesame seeds, and other nuts

This is a popular sweet snack you'll find on the streets of Guiyang, and some restaurants also serve it. For just 7-10 RMB, you can enjoy a warm and comforting dessert. It's sweet but not overly rich, making it a favorite among both the young and elderly.

If you have a peanut allergy, be sure to ask the vendor not to add crushed peanuts.

9. Danzhai Fighting Chicken Dish

Danzhai Fighting Chicken Dish

Key ingredients: Fighting chicken meat, chili peppers, and konjac tofu

This unique dish comes from Kala Village in Danzhai County, southeastern Guizhou. While Kala is well known for its traditional birdcage craftsmanship, it's also famous for this flavorful chicken dish.

In Miao villages, cockfighting is a traditional event during festivals. Chickens that lose in these matches are not wasted-they're turned into a delicious local specialty. The meat is usually stir-fried with chili peppers, so this dish can be spicy. If you're sensitive to heat, it might be best to skip it.

Where to eat:

The authentic Fighting Chicken dish is best enjoyed in Kala Village, which is about 2 hours from Guiyang and 1 hour from Kaili by car. The price is usually around 50-60 RMB per person.

10. Rose Ice Jelly

Key ingredients: Ice jelly, crushed nuts, rose syrup

Ice jelly is one of the most popular summer desserts in Guizhou, as well as Yunnan and Sichuan. It's also considered a traditional sweet treat in Guizhou. The flavor is sweet with a cool and silky texture.

The jelly is made from the seeds of a local plant known as ice jelly seeds, and it's typically served with brown sugar syrup, rose jam, raisins, and other toppings. In some regions, vendors also add osmanthus  flowers in it, in which case, it's called Osmanthus Ice Jelly.

Where to eat:

You can find this dessert in Guiyang, Zhenyuan Ancient Town, and many other cities throughout Guizhou. It usually costs around 10 RMB per bowl and is a great choice for those who prefer non-spicy food.

Discover Guizhou Food With China Odyssey Tours

There's so much more to Guizhou cuisine than I could cover in this article. We can design a custom itinerary that not only takes you to Guizhou's top highlights but also lets you savor the most authentic local food.

Contact us online or email trip@odynovotours.com, and one of our travel experts will get back to you within 24 hours.