Dining Out in Guilin: NanHuan Road

NanHuan Lu (Lu means Road/Street) runs eastwards from ZhongShan Lu (Guilin's main thoroughfare) to Elephant Trunk Hill. It is one of the prime options for dining out with many options for great Chinese food.

You will see many restaurants with fish, birds and animals outside. These are all items on the menu. The adventurous may want to know a little more to be able to recognise what they see; vegetarians and animal lovers should perhaps skip the next bit.

Livestock on the Menu

Various fish are displayed in tanks. It is normal to choose a particular fish and then have this brought to you before it is dispatched to the kitchen for cooking. Many foreigners forego the pleasure because fish are cooked whole and they can't be bothered with the bones. Try a steamed fish at least once during your trip, preferably at a decent restaurant where it will be served up with delicate flavours.

Various game birds may be on offer. Much depends upon the local supply.

The strange rodent, much like a beaver without the distinctive tail, is a Bamboo Rat. These are normally eaten as a dry hot pot but, in our opinion, are not as tasty as rabbit and seem to have  very little meat relative to the skin and bones. You may decide to try one more for the novelty.

Many places offer various species of snake. Snake is thought to have medicinal properties and is therefore popular with some domestic diners. Foreign visitors normally try snake only so as to be able to say they have. It is not an unpleasant meat though  you may find some practices (such as eating the gall or drinking the blood) to be a little less palatable.

YiYuan Restaurant: Our Favourite

17-2-3 NanHuan Road is the home of YiYuan Restaurant (there is another branch on Qi Xin Lu). 

YiYuan Restaurant is most famous for its spicy Sichuan-style cooking. Established in 1992, the restaurant takes pride in its ambience as well as its food. The service is quick and efficient, with at least one English-speaking  member of staff on duty at all times.

The menu has English translations as well as spiciness rating as a guide. These are perhaps a little over-stated; it being a common misconception across China that foreigners can't take any heat.

Your meal out should be a real treat. Choose a few starters whilst you choose the main food. Try the spicy beef or walnuts. Order your drinks too; the local Liquan Beer comes in several varieties which are all good.

There's no great need to point out any particular dishes here as you can see and choose for yourself. We do highly recommend the Sichuan dishes though. These were the ones that made the restaurant famous and, so long as you don't mind a bit of spice, are the ones they still make best.

The restaurant does get busy around 7pm. If you would like to book ahead, the telephone numbers are:

NanHuan Road Branch:    0773 2820470

Qi Xin Road Branch:          0773 5837566