What Is Guangzhou Yum Cha？

Restaurants

1. Lei Garden (利苑酒家)

• Location: Multiple branches (e.g., IFC Mall, Zhujiang New Town | Near Canton Tower) | Avg Cost: ¥150-¥250 | Hours: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
• The Experience: Renowned as a Michelin-starred pioneer (since 1973), Liyuan is synonymous with refined Cantonese cuisine, including impeccable dim sum. It’s where tradition meets precision, often frequented by discerning locals and celebrities.
• Signature Dishes:
  • Crispy "Three-Layer" Pork Belly (Bing Shao San Ceng Rou-冰烧三层肉): ¥128. Its most iconic creation. Only the finest pork belly is roasted to achieve glass-like crackling skin, melt-in-mouth fat, and succulent lean meat – served with mustard sauce.
  • Lobster & Seafood Fried Rice with Crispy Rice ( Long Xia Tang Pao Fan - 龙虾汤泡饭 ): ¥188. A showstopping luxury dish. Fresh lobster broth is poured tableside over wok-fried rice studded with lobster meat, scallops, and crispy golden rice grains.
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2. Yindeng Food Palace (银灯食府)

• Location: 2nd Floor, Guangzhou Cultural Park, Liwan District | Near Shamian Island | Avg Cost: ¥80-¥120 | Hours: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM (Dim Sum all day!)
• The Experience: Occupying a prime spot within the cultural park, Yindeng offers a grand, modern teahouse atmosphere with stunning park views. Known for creative twists on classic dim sum while maintaining quality, it's hugely popular with locals and families. The all-day dim sum service is a major plus for flexible sightseeing.
• Signature Dishes:
  • eaweed Matcha Lava Buns (海苔抹茶流沙包 - Hai Tai Mo Cha Liu Sha Bao): ¥32/3pcs. A stunning East-meets-West creation. Fluffy buns burst with molten matcha-infused salted egg yolk custard, swirled with savory seaweed paste.
  • Black Truffle & Abalone Mushroom Taro Puffs (黑松露鲍菇鸡粒芋角 - Hei Song Lu Bao Gu Ji Li Yu Jiao): ¥42/3pcs. Crispy shredded taro shells envelop a luxurious filling of diced chicken, umami abalone mushrooms, and decadent black truffle paste. Topped with gold leaf, it delivers crunchy-meets-creamy textures and deep, aromatic complexity.

    

3. Beiyuan Restaurant (北园酒家)

• Location: 202 Xiaobei Road, Yuexiu District | Near Yuexiu Park | Avg Cost: ¥100-¥150 | Hours: 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM (Dim Sum mainly lunch)
• The Experience: Step into history at Beiyuan, a state guesthouse established in 1928 famous for hosting dignitaries. Its charm lies in its classic Lingnan garden architecture – think winding paths, koi ponds, and traditional pavilions nestled within the restaurant complex.
• Signature Dishes:
  • Steamed Shrimp Dumplings (Har Gow - 虾饺): ¥42/4pcs. A classic done exceptionally well here, featuring pristine shrimp wrapped in thin, resilient skin – a benchmark of traditional skill.
  • Steamed Rice Rolls with Shrimp (Har Cheung - 虾肠): ¥38. Silky smooth rice noodle sheets rolled around whole, fresh shrimp, served with light soy sauce. Simple perfection.
    

4. Panxi Restaurant (泮溪酒家)

• Location: 151 Longjin West Road, Liwan District | Near Liwan Lake Park | Avg Cost: ¥90-¥140 | Hours: 7:30 AM - 10:00 PM (Dim Sum all day)
• The Experience: Founded in 1947, Panxi is a landmark teahouse celebrated for its magnificent, sprawling Lingnan-style garden. Dine amidst pavilions, bridges, and banyan trees overlooking tranquil ponds – it’s arguably the most visually stunning traditional Yum Cha setting in Guangzhou.
• Signature Dishes:
  • • Panxi Boat Congee (Pan Xi Zhou - 泮溪粥): ¥38. A comforting, savory rice porridge often cooked with minced pork, peanuts, scallops, and crispy dough sticks (Youtiao) on the side. A signature staple.
    • Panxi Signature Dumpling (Pan Xi Jiao - 泮溪饺): ¥42/4pcs. A unique house creation, often featuring a combination of pork, shrimp, bamboo shoots, and mushrooms in a distinctive shape or with a special wrapper.
  

5. Dian Du De (点都德)

• Location: Multiple branches (e.g., Beijing Road, Haizhu Square) | Avg Cost: ¥60-¥90 | Hours: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM (Dim Sum all day)
• The Experience: A hugely popular modern dim sum chain known for its vibrant, contemporary atmosphere, efficiency, and all-day service. The name means "Anything is Possible," reflecting their wide-ranging menu.
• Signature Dishes:
  • Signature Red Rice Roll (Hong Mi Chang Fen - 红米肠粉): ¥35. Unique bright red rice noodle roll (colored naturally) wrapped around crispy fried dough and shrimp, served with peanut and soy sauces. Crunchy, soft, savory – a textural delight.
  • Steamed Chicken Feet with Abalone Sauce (Bao Zhi Feng Zhao - 鲍汁凤爪): ¥30. A luxurious take on Phoenix Claws, braised until meltingly tender in a rich, savory abalone-infused sauce.

6. One More Dim Sum (又一间茶点轩)

• Location: Multiple branches (e.g., Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe) | Avg Cost: ¥60-¥85 | Hours: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM (Dim Sum all day)
• The Experience: This trendy chain is a favorite among younger locals for its creative, Instagram-worthy dim sum, vibrant atmosphere, and excellent value. The name ("One More") hints at the desire for another bite! It shares similarities with Dian Dou De but often pushes creativity further with unique flavors and presentations, in a slightly more youthful, casual setting.
• Signature Dishes:
  • • Crispy Taro Puff with Duck (Ya Rou Yu Jiao - 鸭肉芋角): ¥30/3pcs. A creative take on Wu Gok (taro puff), often filled with savory minced duck meat instead of the traditional pork, offering a richer flavor within the crispy, mashed taro shell.
    • Sakura Shrimp Rice Rolls (Ying Hua Xia Chang Fen - 樱花虾肠粉): ¥32. Delicate rice noodle rolls filled with tiny, flavourful dried sakura shrimp (cherry blossom shrimp) and sometimes crispy elements, offering a distinct umami crunch.
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    Comparison

  Restaurant	Key Strengths	Ideal For	Avg Cost	Practical Tips
  Liyuan (Lei Garden)	Michelin-starred innovation	Luxury seekers/foodies	¥150-250	Book ahead! Limited dishes. Card friendly.
  Yindeng Food Palace	Creative dim sum + park views	Families/scenery lovers	¥80-120	All-day dim sum. Go weekdays to avoid queues.
  Beiyuan Restaurant	1928 state guesthouse + garden	History buffs/traditionalists	¥100-150	Dim sum only at lunch. Reserve garden seats.
  Panxi Restaurant	Largest Lingnan garden setting	Culture immersion/photo ops	¥90-140	Visit early. Choose "Old Hall" for authenticity.
  Dian Dou De	Budget-friendly + all-day menu	First-timers/value seekers	¥60-90	No reservation needed. Best for groups.
  Yijian Tea House	Trendy visual creations	Young travelers/Instagrammers	¥60-85	Portions are small. Order multiple innovative dishes.

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Yum Cha Tips for Western Travelers

Timing & Pace:

Balancing Flavors

Texture Adventures

Sharing Culture

Tea Etiquette