As one of the birthplaces of Chaoshan cuisine, Shantou is a true paradise for food lovers. From time-honored local brands to hidden alleyway gems, this city offers a rich variety of flavors that reflect the authenticity of Chaoshan culinary traditions. Here’s a categorized list of must-try Shantou food spots, curated with local recommendations. Get ready to eat your way through this delicious city!
🥩【Beef Hotpot】
One of Shantou’s most iconic dishes. Don’t leave without trying it!
🏆 Yingchun Haoji Beef Hotpot: Great value, fresh hand-sliced beef, less crowded, fast service 🍜【Noodles & Rice Noodles】
Beef Ball Soup / Flat Rice Noodles (Guotiao)
🏆 Heji Beef Shop: Hand-pounded beef balls in rich daily-boiled broth
Steamed Rice Rolls (Changfen)
🏆 Hua Wu Old-Style Changfen: Delicate handmade sheets with savory sauce
🏆 Ah Can Changfen: Late-night favorite, opens till early morning
Dry Noodles & Pork Organ Soup
🏆 Yili Beef Shop (Waima Road): Sweet-savory satay dry noodles with tender pork liver and clean, flavorful broth
Stir-fried Beef Flat Rice Noodles
🏆 Zhongji Beef: Their pan-fried dumplings and stir-fried guotiao are packed with wok hei flavor
🍲【Hot Dishes & Marinated Meats】
Braised Goose (Over Rice or in Platters)
🏆 A Bin Lu’e (Braised Goose): Rich sauce, don’t miss the goose liver and intestines
🏆 Lin Ji Lu’e (Changping Road): Firm, flavorful meat; try it with Shantou-style rice porridge
Claypot Congee (Shaguo Zhou)
🏆 Shun Ji Claypot Congee: Signature shrimp & crab porridge and dried scallop porridge
🏆 Bo Ji Didu Crab Porridge: Famous for crab congee with goose intestines
🍢【Street Snacks & Sides】
Oyster Omelette & Stir-Fried Rice Cakes (Chao Gao Guo)
🏆 Old Brand at Wenhua Street: Fresh oysters, soft-sticky rice cakes best dipped in sugar
Ma Bing (Sweet-Savory Wheat Cake)
🏆 Lao Chen Authentic Ma Bing: Crispy outside, soft and chewy inside. Sweet version highly recommended
Fried Tofu (Puning Dougan)
🏆 Baihua Snack Stall: Freshly fried tofu with golden skin, dipped in leek-flavored soy—super flavorful! (Caution: Hot!)
Grass Jelly Cakes / Water Cakes (Cao Guo & Shui Guo)
🏆 Gonghe Lao Hong Snack Shop: Shui Guo offers a sweet and savory twist worth trying
🥣【Desserts & Cold Treats】
Tofu Pudding & Grass Jelly
🏆 Bingxin Desserts: Cool and refreshing, with mashed taro and sticky black rice—delicious and not overly sweet
Sweet Soups & Double-Skin Milk Custard
🏆 Changlong Desserts: Local go-to for five-ingredient sweet soup
🏆 Wu Ji Sweet Soup: Classic red bean with silky milk custard—Shantou’s comfort dessert
☕️【Drinks & Traditional Tea Culture】
Chaoshan Kung Fu Tea Experience
🏆 Lao Cuo No.1 Tea House: Authentic Kung Fu tea ceremony and intro to Chaoshan tea culture
🏆 City Tea House (Old Street): Relax in a charming space and enjoy traditional Shantou tea culture
✅ Local Tips for Eating in Shantou:
🍽 Beef balls are best before 9:00 AM, when they’re freshly made
🌅 Steamed rice rolls and porridge dishes are perfect for breakfast or late-night supper
🔥 Shantou cuisine is known for being light, fresh, and mildly seasoned—perfect for cleansing your palate between meals
📍 Most delicious food is concentrated around Jinping District and Xiaogongyuan area
