Huizhou Guangdong, China Travel Guide
Huizhou cuisine blends Cantonese (Guangdong) and Hakka gastronomic traditions. Cantonese influence highlights fresh ingredients, light seasoning, and cooking methods like steaming and stir-frying. Hakka cuisine features savory, salty, and scented flavors, with preserved ingredients and robust braising.
Expect fresh seafood, pork, chicken, preserved vegetables (meicai), taro, and rice. Flavors balance sweet, savory, and umami in Cantonese dishes, while Hakka dishes are savory and robust. It is generally less spicy than other Chinese regional cuisines.
Use chopsticks; rest them on a chopstick rest or across your bowl. Never stick them upright in rice. Dishes are typically shared from the table's center.
Refill others' tea cups before your own. Tap two fingers on the table to show gratitude for tea service. Offer food to others, especially elders.
Finishing everything sometimes implies more food is desired. Leaving a small amount can indicate satisfaction. Slurping noodles and talking loudly are acceptable, showing enjoyment.
A whole chicken baked in coarse salt, creating tender, succulent meat with a distinct savory flavor. Find it in Hakka restaurants.
Tender, savory, Hakka classic.
Steamed pork belly with preserved mustard greens. Tender, flavorful pork complemented by salty-sweet vegetables. Widely available.
Rich, savory, comforting Hakka stew.
Tofu pockets filled with minced pork or fish paste, then braised or deep-fried. Delicate texture, rich flavor.
Delicate, flavorful, Hakka staple.
A flaky Cantonese pastry with a sweet winter melon paste filling.
Tangyuan: glutinous rice balls with sweet fillings. Douhua: silken tofu pudding, sweet or savory.
High-end restaurants are usually within luxury hotels or upscale commercial complexes. They specialize in refined Cantonese cuisine or international fare.
Mid-range restaurants are plentiful, serving local specialties, Cantonese, Hakka, Sichuan, and Hunan cuisines. Budget eateries and street food stalls offer quick, affordable meals.
Wet Markets (菜市场) let you see local life and fresh ingredients. International cuisine is available in larger shopping centers and areas with expatriates, including Japanese, Korean, and Western fast-food.
Finding strictly vegetarian/vegan options can be challenging. Buddhist vegetarian restaurants (素食餐厅) are usually vegan. Vegetable dishes often contain oyster sauce, fish sauce, or meat broth.
Communicate: "全素" (quánsù - completely vegetarian) or "不要肉" (bùyào ròu - without meat). For vegan: "不要葱蒜" (no onion/garlic) and "不要鸡蛋牛奶" (no eggs/milk).
Halal options are limited; Kosher food is extremely rare. Gluten-free diets are difficult due to a salty and wheat in many dishes. Cross-contamination is a risk. Peanuts and sesame are common allergens.
Carry translated allergy cards. Focus on simple, fresh dishes like steamed fish and plain rice. Utilize translation apps for communication.
Limited formal options for international tourists. Self-guided exploration of markets and eateries.
Some agricultural areas, like Longmen County, provide opportunities for farm visits focusing on local produce.
Local food festivals occur during traditional holidays or harvest seasons. Local announcements will inform you.
Hot Pot is popular. Coastal seafood restaurants let you choose live seafood cooked to order.
Use translation apps (e.g., Pleco, Google Translate) for food lists and communicating dietary needs.
Many restaurants present picture menus, simplifying ordering. Pointing works well.
Some modern eateries use QR code menus associated with WeChat.
Eat at places with good customer traffic, indicating freshness. Drink bottled water. Be cautious with uncooked street food.
While Huizhou may have restricted particular food tours for international visitors, you can often find general city tours that incorporate food stops.
Dense pastries, various fillings (lotus seed paste, red bean, egg yolk).
Glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves, sweet or savory fillings.
Glutinous rice cake, symbolizing prosperity.
Mooncakes and Niangao are widely available in these locations during their respective seasons.
Look for specialty stores for unique flavors.
Many restaurants present seasonal specialties. Zongzi are found at food stalls and supermarkets.
Street vendors often have festival-specific treats.
Time your visit to coincide with major festivals for the fullest culinary experience.
Locals can guide you to the best places for seasonal and festival foods.
Festival foods are often visually appealing and photograph well.
Embrace the local flavors and traditions.
