Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Foshan, China

1. Shancheng Mianjian Shou Zi Fen

Handmade Noodles at Shancheng Mianjian are a must-try. They're known for their thick, chewy noodles and flavorful broth.

Unique Ingredients: Uses fresh, locally-sourced ingredients for an authentic taste.
Handmade Noodles: Noodles are made on the spot, ensuring freshness and quality.
Flavorful Broth: Broth is slow-cooked for hours to develop a rich, savory flavor.

2. Liuan Shrimp Paste Noodles

Tasty and spicy Liuan Shrimp Paste Noodles are a local specialty. The noodles are paired with a flavorful shrimp paste sauce.

Spicy Sauce: Shrimp paste sauce gives the dish its unique, tangy flavor.
Local Shrimp: Fresh shrimp from Liuan are used to make the paste.
Handmade Noodles: Noodles are freshly made daily, ensuring a perfect texture.

3. Chaozhou Chicken Rice

This dish features tender chicken served atop fragrant rice. The flavors are balanced and comforting.

Tender Chicken: Chicken is slow-cooked to ensure a tender, juicy texture.
Fragrant Rice: Rice is infused with aromatic herbs and spices for added flavor.
Flavorful Sauce: Soy sauce and sesame oil blend create a delicious, savory sauce.

4. Tangyuan (Glutinous Rice Balls)

These sticky, sweet rice balls are filled with sesame paste or red bean paste. They're a popular dessert during the Lantern Festival.

Variety of Fillings: Fillings include sweet sesame paste and tangy red bean paste.
Glutinous Rice: Glutinous rice creates a chewy, delightful texture.
Sweet Syrup: Syrup is used to sweeten and enhance the flavor of the Tangyuan.

5. Liuhe Lou Shi Zi Dan

This spicy and sour fish dish features tender fish fillets cooked in a tangy broth with bamboo shoots and peppers.

Spicy Broth: Broth is made from chili peppers, creating a spicy kick.
Tender Fish Fillets: Fish fillets are cooked until they're tender and flavorful.
Bamboo Shoots and Peppers: These add texture and contrasting flavors to the dish.

6. Foshan Shi Zi Fen (Noodles with Oyster Sauce)

Savor the rich flavors of Foshan's Shi Zi Fen. These noodles are served in a savory oyster sauce, making them a popular choice for seafood lovers.

Oyster Sauce: Sauce is made from fresh oysters, giving it a briny flavor.
Handmade Noodles: Noodles are handmade daily, ensuring a perfect texture.
Seafood Ingredients: Ingredients like shrimp, squid, and clams make this dish a seafood lover's dream.

7. Foshan Shuijiao (Water-Boiled Dumplings)

Enjoy the delicate flavor of Foshan's water-boiled dumplings. These dumplings are filled with pork and vegetables.

Water Boiling: Boiling in water maintains the freshness of the filling.
Pork Filling: Pork is ground and seasoned before being used as filling.
Vegetable Ingredients: Various vegetables add texture and flavor to the dumplings.

8. Foshan Guihua Chicken (Guihua Chicken)

Savor the unique taste of Foshan's Guihua Chicken. This dish features chicken marinated in a special sauce and deep-fried.

Special Sauce: Secret recipe ensures an unforgettable flavor.
Deep-Frying: Crispy exterior with tender, juicy chicken inside.
Local Chicken: Chicken is raised locally and known for its quality.

9. Foshan Zongzi (Sticky Rice Dumplings)

These sticky rice dumplings are wrapped in bamboo leaves and filled with savory or sweet fillings. They're a popular dish during the Dragon Boat Festival.

Bamboo Leaves Wrapping: Bamboo leaves keep the dumplings moist and give them a unique aroma.
Variety of Fillings: Fillings include savory options like pork and mushrooms, as well as sweet options like red bean paste.
Sticky Rice: Sticky rice creates a delicious, chewy texture.

10. Chaozhou Yongji Tang (Stewed Fish Soup)

This comforting dish features tender fish simmered in a flavorful broth with vegetables and tofu.

Flavorful Broth: Broth is made from fish bones, creating a rich, savory taste.
Tender Fish: Fish is simmered until it's tender and flavorful.
Vegetables and Tofu: These add texture, flavor, and nutrients to the dish.

11. Foshan Liuyang Shrimp Paste (Shrimp Salt)

This versatile seasoning is made from shrimp, salt, and other ingredients. It's used to enhance the flavors of various dishes in Foshan.

Shrimp and Salt: Fresh shrimp and sea salt create a balanced, umami flavor.
Versatile Seasoning: Can be used to season fish, meats, and vegetables.
Local Ingredients: Uses fresh, locally-sourced ingredients for an authentic taste.

12. Foshan Liuhezi Fan (Rice Bowl with Five Spices)

This fragrant rice dish is flavored with a unique blend of five spices. The dish is topped with a variety of ingredients.

Five Spices Blend: Combination of cinnamon, star anise, fennel seeds, cloves, and Sichuan pepper creates a complex flavor.
Variety of Toppings: Includes ingredients like chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, and vegetables.
Fragrant Rice: Rice is infused with the flavors of the spices for a delightful aroma.

13. Foshan Yunxiang Qiezi (Eel and Vegetable Hot Pot)

Enjoy the unique taste of eel in a flavorful hot pot filled with vegetables. The dish is seasoned with local spices.

Fresh Eel: Eel is fresh and tender, making for a delicious main ingredient.
Local Spices: Spices like ginger, garlic, and scallions add flavor to the dish.
Variety of Vegetables: Includes a mix of colorful and nutritious vegetables.

14. Foshan Liuhe Cu Yu (Liuhe Claypot Tofu)

This spicy and savory dish features cubed tofu cooked in a clay pot with vegetables and chili peppers.

Clay Pot Cooking: Cooking in a clay pot helps retain the moisture and flavor of the ingredients.
Spicy Broth: Broth is made from chili peppers, creating a spicy kick.
Tofu and Vegetables: Tofu and vegetables soak up the flavorful broth, making for a delicious meal.

15. Foshan Tang Qie Zi (Duck and Vegetable Hot Pot)

Savor the rich flavors of duck in a flavorful hot pot filled with vegetables. The dish is seasoned with local spices.

Fresh Duck: Duck is fresh and tender, making for a delicious main ingredient.
Local Spices: Spices like ginger, garlic, and scallions add flavor to the dish.
Variety of Vegetables: Includes a mix of colorful and nutritious vegetables.