Shenzhen Insider Shenzhen is a melting pot of Cantonese, Hakka, and international cuisines, making it a foodie’s paradise. Whether you’re craving authentic dim sum, fresh seafood, or trendy street snacks, the city has something to satisfy your taste buds. Here’s a list of the top 10 must-try foods in Shenzhen!
1. Dim Sum – The Heart of Cantonese Cuisine 🥢
Why try it? Dim sum is a must when visiting Shenzhen. These bite-sized delights, served in bamboo steamers, include shrimp dumplings (har gow), BBQ pork buns (char siu bao), and rice rolls (cheong fun). Pair them with a pot of hot Pu-erh tea for the ultimate experience.
Where to try:
- 📍 La Maison (福田区) – A fine-dining dim sum experience
- 📍 Social All Day Dining at The Langham – Classic Cantonese flavors in a luxury setting
- 📍 Tim Ho Wan (添好运) – A Michelin-starred affordable dim sum spot
2. Cantonese Roast Goose – Crispy, Juicy, and Flavorful 🍗
Why try it? Shenzhen’s roast goose has a perfectly crispy skin and juicy meat, usually served with plum sauce. It’s one of the city’s most famous Cantonese dishes.
Where to try:
- 📍 Yunlaiju Roast Goose (云来居烧鹅) – A local favorite
- 📍 Goose King (鹅掌门) – High-end goose dining experience
3. Hakka Braised Pork Belly – A Traditional Comfort Dish 🍖
Why try it? Shenzhen has a significant Hakka (客家) population, and their signature dish is braised pork belly (梅菜扣肉). The pork is slow-cooked with preserved mustard greens, making it incredibly tender and flavorful.
Where to try:
- 📍 Hakkasan Shenzhen – High-end fusion Hakka cuisine
- 📍 Lianxin Hakka Cuisine (连心客家菜) – Traditional home-style flavors
4. Fresh Seafood – A Feast for Seafood Lovers 🦞
Why try it? Being a coastal city, Shenzhen is famous for its live seafood markets, where you can pick your seafood and have it cooked to your liking. Lobster, abalone, crab, and clams are highly recommended!
Where to try:
- 📍 Shajing Seafood Street (沙井海鲜街) – The ultimate seafood market experience
- 📍 Lai Chi Seafood Restaurant (荔枝海鲜酒家) – High-quality seafood in an elegant setting
5. Shenzhen-Style Clay Pot Rice – A Local Favorite 🍚
Why try it? This dish is slow-cooked over charcoal in a clay pot, creating a crispy rice crust at the bottom. The toppings usually include Chinese sausage, cured duck, and soy sauce for extra flavor.
Where to try:
- 📍 Wong Chi Kei (黄枝记) – A well-known spot for clay pot rice
- 📍 Shenzhen Old Street Clay Pot Rice (深圳老街煲仔饭) – Authentic and affordable
6. Rice Noodle Rolls (Cheong Fun) – A Breakfast Classic 🍥
Why try it? These soft and silky rice noodle rolls are stuffed with shrimp, beef, or BBQ pork and drizzled with sweet soy sauce. It’s a staple Shenzhen breakfast item!
Where to try:
- 📍 Dim Dim Sum (点点心) – A popular Hong Kong-style dim sum chain
- 📍 Shang Palace (Shangri-La Hotel) – Luxury dim sum experience
7. Chaozhou Beef Hotpot – A Unique Shantou-Style Experience 🍲
Why try it? Originating from nearby Shantou, this clear-broth beef hotpot is a local favorite. The beef is sliced paper-thin and cooked quickly in a delicate bone broth, served with a dipping sauce of soy sauce, garlic, and cilantro.
Where to try:
- 📍 Shantou Brother Beef Hotpot (汕头八合里牛肉火锅) – The most authentic experience
- 📍 Beef Master Hotpot (牛大人潮汕牛肉火锅) – High-end beef hotpot
8. Sugar-Coated Fried Dough Twist – A Tasty Street Snack 🍩
Why try it? This crispy, caramelized dough twist is a classic local snack, perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth.
Where to try:
- 📍 Dongmen Food Street (东门美食街) – A haven for local street food
9. Double-Boiled Soup – The Essence of Cantonese Cooking 🍵
Why try it? Cantonese people believe in nourishing soups, and Shenzhen has some of the best. The most popular varieties include ginseng chicken soup, lotus root & pork soup, and herbal turtle soup.
Where to try:
- 📍 Soup Dynasty (汤皇) – A specialized soup restaurant
- 📍 Grand Hyatt Cantonese Restaurant – High-end traditional soup
10. Mango Pomelo Sago – The Perfect Dessert 🥭
Why try it? This refreshing dessert features fresh mango, pomelo, sago pearls, and coconut milk, making it the perfect way to cool down in Shenzhen’s warm weather.
Where to try:
- 📍 Honeymoon Dessert (满记甜品) – A famous dessert chain
- 📍 Xiang Guo Dessert (香港祥记甜品) – Local-style desserts
Final Tips for Food Lovers in Shenzhen
✔ Try a Dim Sum Breakfast – Start your day the Cantonese way
✔ Visit a Seafood Market – Experience the freshest seafood in town
✔ Explore Dongmen Food Street – A paradise for local street food
✔ Enjoy a Hotpot Night – Whether it’s beef hotpot or spicy Sichuan-style, it’s a must-try
Shenzhen’s diverse food scene blends traditional flavors with modern creativity. No matter your taste preference, these 10 must-try dishes will give you a true taste of the city! 🍽️✨