Lucas Zhu, G10, RDF International School

In China, the saying “Eat in Guangzhou, dress up in Suzhou, have fun in Hangzhou, and live your last day in Liuzhou” attests to Guangzhou’s reputation as a gourmets’ paradise. The city has been known for its delicious food since ancient times.

This past Spring Festival, my family and I went to Guangzhou to have a bite of its delicacies.

On our first day, we went to Beiyuan Cuisine, a restaurant specializing in Cantonese morning tea with a history of over 100 years. Early in the morning, my brother and I stood waiting in a long line at the gate of the restaurant. Although it was an hour before the official opening hour, many people were waiting.

Once inside the restaurant, I was attracted by a pool where bright red carp were swimming among the reflections of the surrounding luscious plants.

No wonder a large number of diners flocked to this venue, the quality of whose dim sum far exceeded my expectations. Along with a pot of hot oolong tea, the waiter served us the classic barbecued pork buns and shrimp dumplings, which were nice to look at and yummy to taste. Other dishes such as the steamed pork ribs and steamed chicken feet were delicious too.

Our second stop was Bingsheng Mansion. The food there was also scrumptious. The pork was crispy at first bite but soft and juicy inside. The aroma of the pork lingered in my mouth long after I had swallowed it. With sweet and sour pineapple and cheese stuffing, the buns were soft and fluffy like clouds, which made me want to have more.

Haimen Yuzai Restaurant was our last stop. This Chaoshan cuisine restaurant is famous for its marinated seafood. We ordered their specialty: a leopard coral grouper cooked with cayenne pepper, chili and garlic, which tasted tender and fresh. During this trip, I tasted delicious food that I had never tried before. The century-old restaurants gave me an unforgettable experience of Cantonese cuisine.