Guilin Weekend Vacation: Best Street Food Stalls

Nestled among the dramatic karst mountains and winding Li River, Guilin isn’t just a visual paradise—it’s a culinary wonderland. If you’re planning a weekend getaway, skipping the street food scene would be a crime. From sizzling skewers to steaming bowls of Guilin mifen (rice noodles), the city’s street stalls offer an explosion of flavors that’ll make your taste buds dance. Here’s your ultimate guide to the best street food stalls in Guilin.

The Must-Try Street Foods in Guilin

Before diving into the best stalls, let’s highlight the dishes you absolutely can’t miss:

Guilin Mifen (Rice Noodles)

A breakfast staple, these silky rice noodles are served in a rich, aromatic broth, topped with pickled vegetables, peanuts, and your choice of meat (usually pork or beef).

Lipu Taro Loaf (Lipu yumo)

A savory-sweet steamed cake made from taro and pork, this snack is soft, fragrant, and utterly addictive.

Beer Fish (Pijiu yu)

A local specialty where fresh river fish is braised in beer, chili, and tomatoes, creating a tangy, slightly spicy dish.

Stuffed Li River Snails (Tianluo)

These plump snails are stuffed with minced pork and spices, then stir-fried for a smoky, umami-packed bite.

Osmanthus Cake (Guihua gao)

A delicate, floral dessert made from osmanthus flowers, glutinous rice, and sugar—perfect for balancing out the savory dishes.

Top Street Food Stalls in Guilin

1. Chongshan Market Night Bazaar

Location: Near Zhongshan Road
Best for: Late-night eats and variety

When the sun sets, Chongshan Market transforms into a bustling food haven. Here’s what to try:

• Spicy Crawfish (Xiaolongxia): Succulent crawfish drenched in a fiery chili and garlic sauce.
• Barbecue Skewers (Chuan’r): Lamb, beef, or tofu skewers grilled over charcoal and dusted with cumin and chili.
• Stinky Tofu (Chou doufu): Love it or hate it, this fermented tofu is crispy on the outside and creamy inside, served with a tangy dipping sauce.

Pro Tip: Go with an empty stomach—this market has over 50 stalls, and you’ll want to sample everything.

2. Zhengyang Pedestrian Street

Location: Downtown Guilin
Best for: Quick bites while sightseeing

This lively pedestrian street is packed with food vendors. Don’t miss:

• Guilin Mifen at Lao You Mifen: A legendary spot where locals queue for their morning bowl. The broth is simmered for hours with pork bones and secret spices.
• Sugar-Glazed Hawthorns (Bingtanghulu): Skewered hawthorn berries coated in a shiny sugar shell—a sweet-and-sour treat.
• Fried Rice Noodles (Chao mifen): A drier, stir-fried version of mifen with eggs, veggies, and a smoky wok hei flavor.

Pro Tip: Visit in the evening when the street is lit up with lanterns and live performances.

3. Xicheng Road Snack Street

Location: Near Elephant Trunk Hill
Best for: Authentic local flavors

This lesser-known street is where locals go for no-frills, delicious eats:

• Oil Tea (Youcha): A savory tea soup with fried rice, peanuts, and scallions—great for warming up on cooler days.
• Steamed Glutinous Rice (Nuomifan): Sticky rice stuffed with mushrooms, sausage, and peanuts, wrapped in lotus leaves.
• Grilled River Fish (Kao yu): Fresh catch from the Li River, simply seasoned and grilled to perfection.

Pro Tip: Pair your meal with a glass of local Guilin rice wine for the full experience.

4. Night Market at Two Rivers and Four Lakes

Location: Along the scenic lakes
Best for: Scenic dining with a view

After a boat ride on the lakes, hit this night market for:

• Lotus Leaf Wrapped Chicken (He ye ji): Tender chicken marinated in spices and steamed in lotus leaves for a fragrant, juicy bite.
• Sweet Tofu Pudding (Douhua): Silky tofu served with ginger syrup or sweet red bean paste.
• Crispy Duck Tongues (Ya she): A crunchy, salty snack that pairs perfectly with beer.

Pro Tip: Grab your food and enjoy it by the lakeside—the illuminated pagodas make a stunning backdrop.

Hidden Gems: Off-the-Beaten-Path Stalls

A. Auntie Li’s Mifen Cart

Location: Corner of Jiefang East Road (look for the blue cart)
This unassuming cart serves what many claim is the best mifen in Guilin. The broth is lighter but deeply flavorful, and the pickled greens are house-made.

B. Uncle Wang’s Stuffed Snails

Location: Near Seven Star Park’s back entrance
A tiny stall with a cult following, Uncle Wang’s snails are stuffed with a secret mix of pork, garlic, and local herbs.

C. Granny Zhang’s Osmanthus Cakes

Location: Outside Diecai Hill’s ticket office
These cakes are steamed fresh daily and have just the right balance of sweetness and floral aroma.

Tips for Street Food Adventures in Guilin

1. Cash is King: Many stalls don’t accept digital payments, so carry small bills.
2. Follow the Locals: If a stall has a long line of locals, it’s probably amazing.
3. Spice Levels: Guilin food can be spicy—ask for "wei la" (mild) if you can’t handle heat.
4. Hygiene: Stick to stalls where food is cooked fresh in front of you.
5. Timing: Breakfast stalls (especially for mifen) wrap up by 10 AM, while night markets start around 6 PM.

Guilin’s street food isn’t just about eating—it’s a cultural immersion. Whether you’re slurping noodles at dawn or nibbling skewers under neon lights, every bite tells a story of this enchanting city.