Cantonese Dim Sum
Steamer baskets of shrimp dumplings, pork buns and phoenix claws.
Spice levelNot spicy (0/5 — order “wēi là” 微辣 for mild)
What it is
Cantonese dim sum — the small-basket canon of the yum-cha table: translucent har gow, open-topped siu mai, rice-noodle cheung fun, custard tarts. In Guangzhou this is not brunch theatre; it is the morning's native format.
How to order like a local
Learn six names and order confidently: ha gao, siu mai, cheung fun, feng zhao (phoenix claws), dan tat, char siu bao. Cheung fun gets the peanut-sauce pour at the table. Tap two fingers when someone pours your tea — the universal thank-you.
Good to know
The best hours are 7-11am. A full feed runs 60-120 CNY per person depending on how many trolley-era houses you visit.
More to eat in Guangzhou
- Guangzhou Restaurant
Century 'God of Eaters' house for morning tea.
- Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street
Qilou arcade shops and snack stalls in old Liwan.