Caigenxiang , Zhongshan Lu. Mid-range,
strict vegetarian restaurant, with dumpling
house downstairs and menu-dining above. It's
extremely good - the gluten and bean curd
"roast pork" is perfect from the
taste to the texture - though the meat
imitations are not as fine as the
"fish" or pure vegetable dishes.
Five Rams , southeast corner of the
Renmin Lu-Zhongshan Lu crossroads. The city's
biggest Muslim restaurant, with the menu
touting some strange items such as T-bone
steaks, satays and Portuguese chicken. Also
good local-style hotpots, roast duck, lemon
chicken and spicy lamb, with a cheaper canteen
downstairs. Always fills up by late afternoon.
Inexpensive to moderately priced.
Guangxiao Si , Jinghui Lu. There's a
whole vegetarian restaurant complex
immediately west of Guangxiao Si, with
inexpensive, straightforward vegetable, gluten
and bean curd dishes on display canteen-style
for you to point and choose.
Guangzhou , corner of Wenchang Nan
Lu and Xiajiu Lu (tel 81380388); another
branch next to Xiuyu Xi Lu metro stop in
Tianhe. The oldest, busiest and most famous
restaurant in the city, with entrance
calligraphy by the Qing emperor Kangxi and a
neon roof sign flashing "Eating in
Guangzhou". The menu is massive and worth
saving up for, and you won't find better
fragrant oil chicken or crisp-skinned pork
anywhere. There are three floors, prices
increasing with each level.
Lian Xiang Lou , Dishifu Lu.
Comfortable, mid-range place skilled at
preparing duck fried with lotus flowers.
Lucky Fellow Seafood , Longjin Dong
Lu. Incredibly popular, mid-range place, with
full range of Cantonese dishes and, of course,
seafood.
Panxi , Longjin Xi Lu, Liwan Park (tel
81815955). Situated on the western edge of the
city, take bus #71 from the western end of
Liuersan Lu, or #74 from Dongfeng Xi Lu. A tea
house of poor repute in the 1940s, now serving
the finest dim sum selection in the
city, and some delicious afternoon fare such
as hibiscus crab slices.
Qingping Fandian , Baohua Lu. Famous
for its roast meats (which you can buy to take
away in front), you can join the masses eating
cheaply downstairs or eat in comfort above.
Inexpensive-upper range.
Ronghua Jiulou , Longjin Dong Lu.
Two restaurants: a cheap, rice-pot outlet on
the north side of the road, and a pricier, new
branch opposite offering everything from
standard Cantonese stir-fries to „500
banquets. No English menu, but they try hard
to help out.
