What to Eat in Guilin & Yangshuo: Rice Noodles, Beer Fish & Local Specialties

The short answer: eat Guilin rice noodles (桂林米粉) for breakfast — dry-mixed first, then add broth — and Yangshuo beer fish (啤酒鱼) for dinner. Try Longji bamboo rice at the terraces. Budget ¥5–8 for noodles, ¥60–100 for beer fish.

The Must-Try List

1. Guilin Rice Noodles (桂林米粉) — the breakfast of Guilin

The local breakfast: rice noodles topped with braised pork, peanuts, and pickled vegetables, served dry-mixed first (干拌), then you add broth (加汤). The broth comes on the side — add it after you’ve eaten most of the noodles. Chongshan (崇善) and Shiji (石记) are the local institutions.

• Where: Chongshan (崇善) and Shiji (石记) — look for the queues.
• Price: ¥5–8 a bowl. Yes, that cheap.

2. Beer Fish (啤酒鱼) — Yangshuo’s signature

Fish braised in beer with tomatoes, peppers, and ginger — a Yangshuo specialty. The fish is fresh from the Li River, and the sauce is rich and slightly sweet. Choose a restaurant with clear prices on the menu — some places charge by the fish’s weight and the bill can surprise you.

• Where: Yangshuo restaurants along West Street and the Yulong River.
• Price: ¥60–100 per person.

3. Longji Bamboo Rice (竹筒饭) — the terraces’ gift

Sticky rice cooked inside bamboo tubes with pork and mushrooms — a specialty of the Longji Rice Terraces. Eat it at a village guesthouse while watching the sunset over the terraces.

• Where: Longji Rice Terraces villages.
• Price: ¥20–30.

4. Guilin Three Treasures (桂林三宝) — the souvenirs

Sanhua wine (三花酒) — a rice liquor; chili sauce (辣椒酱) — Guilin’s famous fermented chili; and fermented bean curd (豆腐乳). Plus osmanthus cakes (桂花糕) — Guilin is the osmanthus capital. All make great gifts.

• Where: Any supermarket or souvenir shop.
• Price: ¥10–50.

5. Yangshuo Countryside Food

The countryside around Yangshuo has excellent farm-to-table food: stir-fried river snails, bamboo shoots, and free-range chicken. Ask your guesthouse to recommend a local farm restaurant.

Local vs Tourist: Where to Eat

• Skip: Restaurants on West Street’s main strip — touristy and overpriced.
• Go: Side streets, farm restaurants in the countryside, and any shop with a queue of locals.
• Beer fish warning: Always check the menu prices before ordering — some places charge by weight.

Street Food vs Sit-Down

• Street food (¥5–20): Guilin rice noodles, grilled river fish, and osmanthus cakes.
• Sit-down (¥60–100): Beer fish and farm-to-table countryside meals.

Practical Tips

• Cash: Small villages and farm restaurants may not take cards — carry some cash.
• Spice: Guilin food is mildly spicy — the rice noodles come with pickled chilies on the side. Add to taste.
• No tipping: Tipping is not expected.

FAQ

What food is Guilin famous for? Guilin rice noodles, Yangshuo beer fish, and Longji bamboo rice.

How do you eat Guilin rice noodles properly? Dry-mixed first, then add broth. Chongshan and Shiji are the classics.

What is beer fish? Fish braised in beer with tomatoes and peppers — Yangshuo’s signature. Choose a restaurant with clear prices.

Is Guilin food spicy? Mildly — not as spicy as Sichuan, but chili is common.

What should I buy as souvenirs? The Guilin three treasures: Sanhua wine, chili sauce, and fermented bean curd — plus osmanthus cakes.

Last updated: October 2026.