Food and restaurants, what and where to eat in Guizhou

Guizhou cuisine is renowned for its unique flavors characterized by a distinctive blend of spiciness, rich aroma, tangy freshness, and robust taste. The culinary delights of Guizhou not only offer unique tastes but also embody a rich cultural heritage, reflecting the diverse dietary traditions and customs of the multi-ethnic regions in Guizhou. Following there are must-eat food in Guizhou.

What to eat

Top 1: Chicken with Chilies/辣子鸡

Stir-fried Chicken with Chilies

Chicken with Chilies is a dish that epitomizes Guizhou's unique culinary style and is one of the top ten classic dishes of the province. The preparation involves cutting the chicken into pieces, marinating it with spices, and then stir-frying it in hot oil until cooked. After removing chicken from the wok, a generous amount of Guizhou's signature sticky chili paste, Ciba chili, is added and stir-fried until aromatic in the same oil. Then the chicken pieces are returned to the wok and braised together with the chili. The hallmark of chicken with chilies is spicy yet not overwhelming flavor, with the chicken remaining tender and juicy, making it a delectable companion for rice.

Top 2: Sour Soup Fish/酸汤鱼

Sour Soup Fish

Sour Soup Fish is a traditional dish of the Miao and Dong ethnic groups, which is one of the representative dishes of Guizhou's "Qian cuisine(or Guizhou cuisine)". The main ingredients include fish, sour soup, and spices such as Litsea cubeba. The dish typically involves making the sour soup first in various ways, then cleaning the live fish by removing its entrails. Various seasonings and vegetables are added, and the fish is cooked in the sour soup. The fish meat is tender, and the broth is a tantalizing mix of sour and spicy flavors, with layers of taste that are both refreshing and addictive.

Top 3: Pork Tenderloin with Pickled Pepper/泡椒板筋

Pork Tenderloin with Pickled Pepper

Pork Tenderloin with Pickled Pepper is a quintessential dish from Guizhou cuisine, known for its savory and mildly spicy flavor profile. The main ingredient must be fresh pork tenderloin tendon, which is marinated before cooking, paired with pickled peppers that are moderately sour and spicy. The dish features a bright red color, a tangy and spicy taste, and a tender, crisp texture. However, the pork tendon should not only be tender but also soft and aromatic, the pickled peppers must be both soft and crispy, and the dish should be clear and glossy, with an appealing appearance, color, and taste once plated.

Top 4: Zhuangyuan Pork Trotter/状元蹄

Zhuangyuan Pork Trotter

Zhuangyuan Pork Trotter is a traditional dish originating from Guizhou Province, renowned for its unique preparation process and rich cultural significance. The main ingredient is pig's trotters, which are accompanied by a blend of 18 different Chinese medicinal herbs. The pork trotters are tender without being mushy, rich without being greasy, and exude an enticing fragrance. The distinct flavor of Zhuangyuan Pork Trotter has captivated countless diners, and everyone who tastes it is invariably conquered by its exquisite flavor.

Top 5: Siwawa(Vegetarian Spring Roll)/丝娃娃

Siwawa

Siwawa is a common traditional snack in Guizhou Province, found on almost every street across the region. The wrapper is a thin pancake made from rice flour, as thin as paper but about the size of a palm. It is filled with shredded radish, houttuynia cordata, shredded kelp, fried soybeans, and spicy chili paste. Locals enjoy it with a tangy and spicy sauce, which is considered the essence of Siwawa. The finely shredded vegetables come in various colors—red, white, yellow, black—creating an attractive appearance that gives the snack its name. The vegetables are crisp and tender, and the taste is both sour and spicy, making it a refreshing and appetizing dish.

Top 6: Zunyi Mutton Rice Noodle/遵义羊肉粉

Mutton Rice Noodle

Zunyi Mutton Rice Noodles is a famous specialty snack from Zunyi City in Guizhou Province. This dish consists of rice noodles served in mutton soup, topped with slices of mutton and various flavors. With a history of over 300 years, while mutton noodles are found throughout Guizhou, Zunyi's version is particularly renowned. The streets of Zunyi are lined with lamb noodle shops, bustling with patrons. The dish has been awarded the honor of "Chinese Famous Snack". Its reputation dates back to the mid-Qing Dynasty, with visitors to Zunyi invariably praising it. Zunyi residents have a particular fondness for lamb rice noodles, especially in winter, when a hot bowl of this dish warms the body.

Top 7: Douhua Noodle/豆花面

Douhua Noodle

Douhua Noodles is a traditional snack uniquely created in Zunyi City, Guizhou Province, which origins can be traced back to the early 20th century in the Zunyi area, giving it nearly a hundred years of history. The main ingredients include douhua(tofu pudding), noodles, and minced meat. The noodles are cooked in soy milk, giving them a rich and savory flavor. The distinctive feature of Douhua Noodles lies in the delicate, smooth douhua combined with the chewy, slippery noodles, enhanced by special seasonings such as chili oil and Sichuan pepper powder. This combination creates a dish that is spicy, fragrant, and deeply flavorful, leaving a lasting impression. Additionally, Douhua Noodles are rich in protein and fiber, offering significant nutritional value.

Top 8: Changwang Noodle/肠旺面

Changwang Noodle

Changwang Noodles is a highly renowned Han Chinese style noodle dish from Guizhou. Among the many snacks in Guizhou, it stands out for its vibrant color, enticing aroma, and delicious taste. This dish features tender blood pudding, crispy noodles, spicy fragrance, and fresh broth. It is characterized by being red but not spicy, rich but not greasy, and crispy but not raw. "Chang" refers to pig intestines, and "Wang" refers to pig blood. When combined with noodles, these three elements complement each other perfectly.

Where to eat

Top 1: Old Kaili Sour Soup Fish/老凯里酸菜鱼

Old Kai Li Sour Soup Fish is a restaurant primarily known for serving the traditional Miao dish such as Sour Soup Fish, and showcasing Miao cultural features. It is widely popular among consumers in Guizhou and even across China, with 11 existing locations. In addition to the delicious cuisine, the restaurant offers captivating Miao song and dance performances, providing a satisfying experience both materially and spiritually.

• Recommended: Kaili Sour Soup Fish Hot Pot, Sour Soup Beef Hot Pot, Master Pork Trotter
• Operating Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
• Address: No.12 Province House Road, Anshun City, Guizhou Province
• Telephone: 0851-85843665

Top 2: QIAN YU WENG/黔渔翁

QIAN YU WENG is renowned for its authentic Douhua Braised Fish, which has garnered an excellent reputation among diners. The restaurant's decor incorporates elements such as wood grain and bamboo strips to evoke the imagery of fishing boats, bamboo rafts, and bamboo hats, creating an immersive dining experience. Additionally, diners have the opportunity to experience traditional Miao clothing, further enhancing the cultural atmosphere.

• Recommended: Douhua Braised Fish, Qingyan Tofu
• Operating Hours: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
• Address: No.80 Datong Street, Yunyan District, Guiyang City, Guizhou Province
• Telephone: 18111926686

Top 3: Gold Luoji Changwang Noodles/金牌罗记肠旺面

A renowned old establishment in Guizhou, this restaurant is considered the gold standard for Guizhou's Changwang Noodles. Every day, a continuous stream of customers lines up to savor its authentic flavors. The noodles here is al dente, while the blood curds are tender and free of any smell of blood. The pork intestines are soft and glutinous, and the crispy diced pork are delightfully crunchy.

• Recommended: Changwang Noodles, Spicy Chicken Noodles, Marinated Tofu
• Operating Hours: 07:00 AM - 10:00 PM
• Address: No.6 Caijia Street, Yunyan District, Guiyang City, Guizhou Province
• Telephone: 13885018029

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• Attractions: what to visit
• Places: the best place to go in Guizhou
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• Food: what to eat while traveling in Guizhou
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