Guangzhou Evening Food Tour Through Local Neighborhood
Description
The ultimate deep dive into Cantonese cuisine - in the city formerly known as Canton! These small group tours take you off the beaten path to explore a local residential area rarely visited by tourists. You will eat where the locals eat, at small, family-run restaurants, and try the best local food at places you can’t find on your own. This tour is led by an English-speaking guide and includes all food, plus unlimited beer, soda, and bottled water.
Tour Options
Itinerary
As China’s first foreign port dating back to the 3rd century, the city formerly known as Canton has woven a unique culinary fabric using ingredients and influences from around the globe. Come discover the dishes that only locals know about on this walking tour that makes 5+ stops through a rarely visited residential neighborhood where Canton’s upper class called home for centuries. This tour starts at the 2nd Worker’s Cultural Palace Subway Station. An email will be sent with meeting location details immediately after booking. Read more below for more details about each stop we make on this tour!
Coconut Chicken Soup: Start the evening the local way with a special soup believed to have strong medicinal properties. Ingredients are chosen seasonally and cooked in a precise order over 4 hours. Rice Noodle Rolls: Visit a shop that uses traditional woven bamboo mats to prepare delicate rolls filled with meat and topped with seasoned soy sauce. This spot is a long-time staple in the local community. Wonton Noodles: These special noodles are made from duck eggs and flour, then kneaded and pressed with a rare method using bamboo poles. The result? An impressively thin noodle with a thick chewy texture, perfectly accentuated by a light broth and shrimp wontons. Cantonese Imperial Cuisine: As river dwellers, we love fish. Enjoy a spread of sashimi that is prepared using a traditional Canontese method, served alongside dishes carefully chosen to highlight the fish’s flavor and texture while balancing the body.
Dessert: Try a classic dessert that uses only two ingredients, and discover how science magically transforms them into a rich custard that is delightfully refreshing! Local Craft Beer: End the night with a locally crafted beer, carefully selected by the barkeeper, with seasonal herbs and ingredients. The brewery is located near to Changgang Subway Station.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Reviews(22)
Rae was so great - she was very accomodating and took us to very traditional and authentic restaurants that we would have otherwise never have known about or be able to find. She had great knowledge of the area and the dishes and was so friendly. Thanks so much Rae. From Lara and Fin (and baby Addie)
Thank you, Lara and Fin, for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled that Rae could make your visit so enjoyable with her knowledge and friendliness. Traditional and authentic experiences are what we strive for, and we're delighted you appreciated it. We look forward to welcoming you again in the future, hopefully with baby Addie for more adventures!
Amazing experience, the food was super good and I discovered a lot of new dishes! Rae was a great guide! She had a lot of information to share and was a great help to navigate back to my hotel. Thanks you !
We're thrilled to hear you had an amazing experience and enjoyed the food and guidance provided by Rae. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Absolutely LOVED this food tour. Genuinely felt like we got the real Guangzhou experience, going to super local restaurants and all the food was amazing. My your guide Rae was so lovely too. Highly highly recommend.
Thank you for sharing your fantastic experience! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a great time on the tour exploring authentic local spots and enjoying the amazing food. We’re glad Rae made it special for you. Your recommendation means a lot!
This was a really fun way to get to learn about the city. The food is authentic and not typical of what you might find in Western countries. The guide Rae was well spoken, knowledgable and good company. The addition of items such as the herbal, medicinal tea was novel, enjoyable element. Strongly recommend.
Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled you enjoyed exploring the city and appreciated the authentic food and unique touches like the herbal tea. Rae will be pleased to hear your compliments.
We took this tour as a family and had the wonderful Sunny as our guide. He was so warm and welcoming and made it a truly fabulous evening. We were introduced to new foods and stories, and he gave us a great introduction to Cantonese and local cuisine. We also walked through a really fascinating area of the city and felt like locals for the evening.
Thank you! We're thrilled Sunny made your evening so enjoyable and immersive. Exploring local cuisine and culture with a guide who brings it to life is always a special experience. Your note about feeling like locals really means a lot to us. We hope to see you again for more adventures! 😊
Our guide Rae brought us to experience a range of Cantonese cuisine from stores that don't look impressive, either run-down or small, nondescript, but which serve authentic local food, from black chicken soup brewed for 4 hours in a coconut to rice noodles rolls (cheong fun) made the traditional way using flat bamboo steamer baskets to personalised herbal tea to raw fish and fried eel to one of the best wan ton noodles I ever had to a last pudding dessert. I had a wonderful time. Rae even helped me get a taxi using my Alipay app as the last train to my hotel had gone off. Beware of the public toilets we had to use along the walking route — bring your own tissues and hold your breath. But that's the authentic local experience: that and walking along dark alleyways knowing it's safe, getting into a smoke-filled restaurant full of locals or having kooky yet pitiful homeless people creep up on you.
Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled Rae could guide you through such a unique culinary journey and assist with your travel needs. Your note about the toilets and authentic environment is valuable for others exploring local gems. We're glad you embraced the full experience and enjoyed the food adventure! 🍜
Our whole family, 8 year old included, had a great time on this tour. The food was delicious and plentiful. A big thanks to Rae for being a wonderful guide!
We're thrilled to hear your family enjoyed the tour and the delicious food! 😊 Rae will be so glad to know she made your experience special. Thank you for sharing!
If you want to start your food journey in Guangzhou with the eyes of a local foodie, then this tour should not be missed. Having gone through food tours in other places/ cities, the only thing I was not able to prepare for was the hot humid weather. But the guys at lost plates, and our guide Rae thankfully kept us well hydrated! Thank you for the overview and history and taste of Cantonese food!
Thank you for your feedback! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed exploring Cantonese cuisine and appreciated the hydration support during the hot weather. We hope this experience has left you with lasting food memories and a deeper appreciation for the local culture.
Rae. (Our guide) was amazing, extremely friendly and knowledgeable! We had a wonderful time exploring what Guangzhou has to offer and that was all thank to Rae.
Thank you for your kind words! We’re thrilled Rae’s friendliness and knowledge made your Guangzhou experience wonderful. Hope to welcome you back for more delicious explorations soon!
Sunny did an amazing job showing us the delicious food in Guangzhou! We especially loved the seafood and seeing the off-the-beaten path parts of the city. I already feel my ailments being cured by the Chinese medicinal brews; a really fun experience!
Thank you for joining the tour with Sunny! We’re thrilled you loved the seafood and the hidden corners of Guangzhou. Glad those Chinese medicinal brews are already working their magic—here’s to good health and great food!
