Where should I eat in Guilin, and which local food or drink is worth trying?

Guilin's most recognizable local dish is Guilin mifen, a preparation of rice noodles commonly served with seasoned meat, pickled vegetables, peanuts, chili and a concentrated sauce or broth.

The dish has a long regional history. China's official cultural and tourism sources recognize it as part of Guangxi's distinctive food culture. A historical account published by China.org.cn traces popular stories about its origins to the Qin dynasty, but also quotes a local museum director explaining that the specific Qin-era origin legend is not proven.

In Yangshuo, pijiu yu, usually translated as beer fish, is a regional specialty. Fish is cooked with beer, vegetables and seasonings, with variations between restaurants.

The Guilin tourism guide also identifies Gongcheng youcha, or oil tea, as a regional specialty. It is traditionally prepared from tea leaves and other ingredients, producing a savory beverage that may be served with accompaniments.

Longji's mountain communities have additional food traditions, including chicken cooked inside bamboo tubes, known as zhutong ji. These preparations reflect the region's agricultural and mountain environments.

Guilin chili sauce and fermented tofu are common condiments and preserved foods associated with the local cuisine.

For a first meal, a specialist rice-noodle shop in Guilin city provides a useful introduction. Yangshuo's restaurants offer beer fish, while villages near Longji may provide more traditional mountain dishes.

A bowl of Guilin rice noodles may combine pale rice noodles with slices of meat, pickled vegetables, herbs and spicy condiments. The toppings distinguish it from a plain noodle soup.

Guilin rice noodles are not always served as soup. Some versions contain only a concentrated sauce, and diners may add broth separately according to local practice.

Morning — Guilin: Try rice noodles at a breakfast shop.

Lunch — Yangshuo: Choose beer fish or another regional dish.

Mountain excursion — Longji: Sample bamboo-cooked chicken or a local agricultural specialty.

Rice-noodle sauces may contain pork, beef, peanuts or fermented ingredients. Beer fish contains alcohol as a cooking ingredient, and diners avoiding alcohol should request an alternative.

Return to to choose a season suitable for combining Guilin's food traditions with river and countryside excursions.