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Guangzhou Street Food: Ultimate Xihua Road Food Guide (2025)

What Is Xihua Road Famous For

Xihua Road (西华路), a historic 800-meter street in central Guangzhou, has been the city’s secret food hub since the Qing Dynasty. Forget tourist traps – this is where generations of locals flock for authentic Cantonese street food. From steaming rice noodle shops to sizzling fry stalls, Xihua Road is a living museum of Guangzhou’s culinary heritage, offering timeless flavors at wallet-friendly prices. Ready to eat like a true Guangzhou ren? Let’s explore!

Must-Try Street Food Stops (Walking Order)

  1. Wenji Hefen (文记河粉)

  • Location: 118 Xihua Road | Avg. Cost: ¥15-25
  • The Vibe: Tiny, busy shop famous for freshly made rice noodles. Watch staff pour rice batter onto cloth steamers daily.
  • Must-Order: Beef Brisket Rice Noodles (牛腩河粉) - ¥22. Features slow-braised beef brisket in a clear, aromatic broth (star anise, ginger) over silky-smooth handmade noodles. The beef is tender; the broth is savory with subtle sweetness. Add their chili oil for a kick.

  1. Shiying Wanzaichi (食盈碗仔翅)

  • Location: 136 Xihua Road| Avg. Cost: ¥15-35
  • The Vibe: Specializes in "Bowl’s Wing" (碗仔翅), a classic Guangzhou street snack inspired by shark fin soup. Uses sustainable ingredients.
  • Must-Order: Premium "Bowl’s Wing" (人比花娇翅) - ¥32. Contains real fish maw, shredded chicken, mushrooms, and wood ear fungus in a thick, savory broth. Flavored with Jinhua ham – rich, umami, with varied textures. Served with red vinegar and pepper.

  1. Corinth (哥林多)

  • Location: 162 Xihua Road| Avg. Cost: ¥10-20
  • The Vibe: Old-school Hong Kong-style café (茶餐厅) known for fresh baked goods and strong milk tea. Retro atmosphere.
  • Must-Order: Egg Salad Sandwich (芝士蛋三明治) - ¥6 Fluffy white toast layered with creamy egg salad (hard-boiled eggs, mayo, a hint of mustard). Lightly grilled for warmth. A comforting, familiar choice.

  1. Fangji Snacks (芳记小食店)

  • Location: 169 Xihua Road| Avg. Cost: ¥15-30
  • The Vibe: Bustling spot focused on steamed rice noodle rolls (肠粉), a Guangzhou breakfast staple. Fast service, steamy kitchen.
  • Must-Order: Pork & Shrimp Rice Noodle Roll (鲜虾猪肉肠粉) - ¥18. Silky rice noodle sheet wrapped around minced pork and whole shrimp. Topped with sweet soy sauce and sesame oil. Soft, chewy texture with savory filling.

  1. Gaya Pulled Tea (加亚拉茶)

  • Location: 199 Xihua Road | Avg. Cost: ¥12-18
  • The Vibe: Famous for Malaysian-style "pulled tea". Watch staff pour tea dramatically between cups to create foam.
  • Must-Order: Signature Triple-Layer Tea (招牌三层茶) - ¥15. Palm sugar syrup (bottom), strong black tea (middle), and creamy milk foam (top). Layers blend sweet, bitter, and creamy flavors when mixed. Refreshing and fun.

  1. Tixiang Skewers (提香里脊肉串)

  • Location: 163 Xihua Road | Avg. Cost: ¥10-15/skewer
  • The Vibe: Look for their street-side stall selling marinated pork skewers. Quick, popular snack.
  • Must-Order: Tixiang Pork Skewer (提香里脊肉串) - ¥12. Tender pork loin marinated in soy sauce, spices, and wine, deep-fried until crispy outside, juicy inside. Savory-sweet flavor. Optional chili or cumin sprinkle.

  1. Chengcheng Fried Dumplings (诚成煎饺)

  • Location: 464 Kangwang Middle Road | Avg. Cost: ¥15-25
  • The Vibe: Small shop dedicated to crispy pan-fried dumplings. Known for its golden "lace skirt" crust.
  • Must-Order: Pork & Chive Dumplings (韭菜猪肉煎饺) - ¥18/10 pcs. Plump dumplings with **minced pork and Chinese chives**. Pan-fried to create a crispy, lacy bottom with a tender top. Juicy filling. Dip in black vinegar.

  1. Ling Kee (凌记)

  • Location: 1 Panfu Road | Avg. Cost: ¥20-40
  • The Vibe: Busy local institution for classic Cantonese comfort food, especially thick rice noodles. Always crowded.
  • Must-Order: Thick Rice Noodles in Soup (招牌靓濑粉) - ¥22. Chewy, hand-cut rice noodles in a rich, savory broth made from pork bones and dried seafood. Topped with braised pork belly, crispy pork rinds, and mushrooms. Hearty and umami-packed.

Your Xihua Road Food Map

  • Route
    • Start Point: West End of Xihua Road (near Renmin Road 人民路).
      Landmark to Spot: Look for the bright yellow "McDonald's" and Guangzhou Pharmacy (大参林) at the corner. This is your gateway!
      • Walk 50m east → Wenji Hefen (文记河粉) on your left.118 Xihua Rd
      • Continue east 100m → Shiying Wanzaichi (食盈碗仔翅).136 Xihua Rd
      • Walk 30m further east → Corinth (哥林多).162 Xihua Rd
      • Cross the small side street → Fangji Snacks (芳记小食店) on your left.169 Xihua Rd
      • Continue 150m east →Gaya Pulled Tea (加亚拉茶).199 Xihua Rd
      • Walk back 100m west →Tixiang Pork Skewers (提香里脊肉串) on north side. 163 Xihua Rd
      • Walk south 100m → Turn left onto Kangwang Middle Road (康王中路)→ Chengcheng Fried Dumplings (诚成煎饺) 50m ahead on your left. 464 Kangwang Mid Rd.
      • Return north to Xihua Road → Walk 200m east → Ling Kee (凌记). 1 Panfu Rd, corner of Xihua/Panfu
  • Walking Distance: ~1 km | Time Needed: 3-4 hours (with eating/queues).
  • Tip: Go before 11am or after 2pm to avoid lunch crowds.

Nearby Guangzhou Attractions

  1. Guangxiao Temple (光孝寺)

What: One of Guangzhou’s oldest Buddhist temples (1,700+ years). Serene, historic.
Distance: 1.5 km South
Transport: Metro Line 1 to Ximenkou Station (西门站), Exit C (10-min walk).

  1. Temple of Six Banyan Trees & Flower Pagoda (六榕寺)

What: Iconic colorful pagoda and peaceful temple grounds.
Distance: 1.2 km Southeast
Transport: Metro Line 1/2 to Gongyuanqian Station (公园前站), Exit I2 (12-min walk).

  1. Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (陈家祠):

What: UNESCO site with stunning Cantonese carvings. Houses folk art museum.
Distance: 3 km East
Transport: Metro Line 1 to Chen Clan Academy Station (陈家祠站), Exit D (right there).

  1. Shamian Island (沙面岛):

What: Colonial-era architecture and tree-lined streets by the Pearl River. Great for photos.
Distance: 3 km South
Transport: Metro Line 6/8 to Cultural Park Station (文化公园站), Exit D (10-min walk).

Perfect 1-Day Guangzhou Itinerary

  • 9:00 AM: Explore Guangxiao Temple (1 hour).
  • 10:30 AM: Walk to Temple of Six Banyan Trees (45 mins).
  • 12:00 PM: Taxi to Xihua Road. Start food crawl at Wenji Hefen. Hit 4-5 stops (e.g., Shiying, Corinth, Fangji, Gaya).
  • 3:00 PM: Metro to Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (Line 1, 2 stops). Explore (1.5 hours).
  • 5:00 PM: Metro to Shamian Island (Line 1 → Line 6/8). Stroll, relax, dinner.

Helpful Tips for Western Visitors

  1. Understanding Flavors

Cantonese cuisine prioritizes natural umami (savory depth) and balanced tastes over heavy sauces or extreme spice. Broths (like those at Wenji Hefen or Ling Kee) might taste lighter than Western soups but are richly flavored from slow-simmered bones and aromatics.

  1. Customize Your Dish

Condiments on tables aren’t decorations! Use soy sauce to add saltiness, black vinegar for tangy brightness (perfect with Chengcheng’s fried dumplings), chili oil for heat (try it at Wenji Hefen), and a pinch of white pepper to enhance aroma (especially in Shiying’s Bowl’s Wing).

  1. Embrace the Street Food Style

Portions are often small and affordable, designed for sampling multiple specialties. It’s common to eat standing up or perched on tiny stools. Order one dish per stop, share bites with friends, and keep moving.
Embrace the difference! Xihua Road isn’t just food – it’s authentic Guangzhou life. Be open-minded, try everything, and savor every bite. Enjoy your adventure! 🥢

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