Must-try Dishes
牛腩面 - Braised Beef Noodle Soup - Tender braised beef served with hand-pulled noodles in a savory broth. Locals often enjoy this hearty dish for breakfast, slurping the noodles with chopsticks in a bustling noodle shop.
肠粉 - Rice Noodle Rolls - Silky rice flour rolls filled with shrimp or beef, drizzled with soy sauce. A popular street food option, you’ll find vendors selling these savory snacks early in the morning, perfect for a quick bite on the go.
蒸鱼 - Steamed Fish - Whole fish steamed with ginger, garlic, and soy sauce, resulting in delicate, flaky meat. Traditionally served during family dinners, it symbolizes abundance, and locals love to share it family-style around the table.
腊味煲仔饭 - Clay Pot Rice with Preserved Meats - Fragrant rice cooked in a clay pot with slices of cured sausage and chicken, creating a crispy底底. This dish is often enjoyed for lunch, and the delightful aroma wafts through local eateries.
泡椒凤爪 - Marinated Chicken Feet with Spicy Peppers - Tender chicken feet soaked in spicy vinegar with chilies. Surprisingly popular as a snack or side dish, locals savor it with beer while socializing, and it’s not for the faint-hearted!
时令蔬菜 - Seasonal Veggie Stir-Fry - Stir-fried seasonal greens like bok choy, seasoned with garlic and a splash of soy sauce. Locals often eat this as an accompaniment to rice during lunch, appreciating its freshness and simplicity.
蚝油生菜 - Lettuce with Oyster Sauce - Crisp lettuce lightly blanched and drizzled with rich oyster sauce. A common side dish at dinner, locals enjoy it for its refreshing crunch, especially in summer months.
By the way, locals sometimes order dishes without specifying the proteins, assuming the waiter knows! It's a fun way to taste unexpected favorites.
Desserts & Drinks
Jasmine Tea - 茉莉花茶 (fragrant green tea) - A soothing green tea infused with fresh jasmine flowers, giving it a delicate, fragrant aroma. Locals enjoy it throughout the day, often served in small teapots at tea houses, especially after a meal to aid digestion.
Fruit Smoothie - 水果奶昔 (refreshing fruit mix) - A chilled blend of local fruits like mango, dragon fruit, and banana, whipped with yogurt for a creamy texture. These are especially popular in summer, and you’ll find vendors selling them on hot afternoons to cool off.
Shaoxing Wine - 绍兴酒 (rice wine) - A savory, amber-hued rice wine with a slightly sweet flavor profile, often enjoyed warm. It's common during family gatherings, especially around the Lunar New Year, where it accompanies celebratory dumplings.
Pineapple Bun - 菠萝包 (sweet pastry) - A fluffy, sweet bun topped with a crumbly crust resembling a pineapple, though it doesn't contain any actual pineapple. Eaten as a breakfast item or snack, they're best enjoyed warm from local bakeries where they often sell for just a few yuan.
Mango Pudding - 芒果布丁 (creamy dessert) - A decadent, chilled dessert made from fresh mango puree and coconut milk, creating a rich, velvety texture. It's a favorite during summer months, often seen at family gatherings and dim sum brunches, where it's served in small cups with a sprig of mint on top.
