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Best Food in Zhanjiang (2026)
Begin your food journey at Chikan Old Street, the historic heart of Zhanjiang's culinary scene. This pedestrian-friendly area is lined with family-run stalls and small eateries sβ¦ π Where to Start
Begin your food journey at Chikan Old Street, the historic heart of Zhanjiang's culinary scene. This pedestrian-friendly area is lined with family-run stalls and small eateries serving local specialties. Try the famous Zhanjiang rice noodles (Zhanjiang lao fen) at Lao Ma Noodle House, located at 123 Chikan Old Street, for around 15-20 RMB per bowl.
π¦ Seafood Paradise
Zhanjiang is renowned for its fresh seafood, especially oysters and prawns. Head to Xiashan Seafood Market at 456 Haibin Avenue, where you can pick live seafood and have it cooked at adjacent restaurants for a small fee. A feast of grilled oysters and steamed prawns typically costs 80-150 RMB per person.
π₯ Street Food Gems
Don't miss the crispy fried oyster omelets sold at night stalls near Xiashan Park, open from 6 PM to midnight. Another must-try is the steamed rice rolls (cheung fun) stuffed with shrimp at Auntie Chen's Cart on Renmin Avenue, priced at 10 RMB for a generous portion. These stalls are popular with locals, so expect short queues.
π Local Specialties
For a taste of authentic Leizhou cuisine, visit Leizhou Flavor Restaurant at 789 Jiefang Road. Their signature dish is braised pork belly with dried squid, served with steamed rice, costing around 60 RMB. Another local favorite is the claypot rice with preserved meats at Feng's Kitchen on Zhongshan Road, priced at 35 RMB per serving.
π΅ Tea and Snacks
Experience a traditional Cantonese tea house at Yipin Tea House on Haibin Avenue, open from 7 AM to 11 PM. They offer dim sum like shrimp dumplings and chicken feet, with prices ranging from 20-50 RMB per dish. Pair your meal with a pot of Tieguanyin tea for a complete experience.
π Night Market Feasts
The Xiashan Night Market, located on Wenming East Road, comes alive after 7 PM with dozens of food stalls. Try the grilled squid skewers (10 RMB each) and the spicy crawfish (50 RMB per plate). The market is easily accessible by bus routes 2 and 10, and it's a great spot for budget-friendly dining.
π° Sweet Treats
For dessert, visit Sweet Memory Dessert Shop at 321 Chikan Street for their famous mango pomelo sago (25 RMB). Another local favorite is the coconut milk pudding sold at stalls near the Zhanjiang Ferry Terminal, costing just 8 RMB per cup. These refreshing treats are perfect after a spicy meal.
π° Budget Tips
Most street food items cost between 10-30 RMB, while a sit-down meal at a mid-range restaurant runs 50-100 RMB per person. For the best value, eat where the locals queue, especially during lunch hours from 11:30 AM to 1 PM. Avoid tourist-heavy spots near the train station, as prices there are often inflated.
totally agree about the seafood hotpot shacks, that's where i take visitors every time. there's a lady near the xiashan dock who does a killer coconut chicken hotpot on top of the regular seafood one, she cracks open young coconuts and uses the water as broth base, adds some lemongrass and chili. it's like 70 rmb per person and the sweetness from the coconut balances the seafood perfectly, way better than the standard ginger broth.
for a completely different vibe, try the hainan-style chicken rice shop on jiefang road next to the post office. it's a tiny hole-in-the-wall run by a family from haikou, they poach the chicken in a broth with pandan leaves and serve it with oily rice and three dipping sauces. 20 rmb for a full plate lunch, and their ginger-scallil oil is dangerously good, i always ask for extra. open 11 to 2 and then 5 to 8, they close when the chicken runs out which is usually by 7:30
this guide is spot on about chikan old street but i think it undersells the breakfast culture here a bit. there's a stall at the corner of jianshe road and minzhu road that does these incredible shrimp rice rolls for 8 RMB, they steam them fresh right in front of you and the soy sauce they use is house-made, sweet and savory at the same time. it's open from 7 to 11 AM usually and there's always a line of locals on scooters.
one thing nobody mentioned is the cold noodle scene in summer. there's a tiny shop on guangdong road called liangpi wang that does zhanjiang-style cold noodles with shredded chicken and a vinegary sesame sauce, only 12 RMB a bowl. it's not a famous spot but it's perfect for the humid afternoons when you don't want anything heavy.
The guide is solid, especially the tip about Xiashan Seafood Market. I'd add that if you go on a weekday morning around 9 AM, the selection is better and the prices are a bit lower before the lunch rush hits. The grilled oysters there are the best I've had anywhere, they come with a garlic and chili topping that's simple but perfect.
One thing missing is the breakfast scene. Try the congee stall on Minzhu Road near the old market, it's open from 6 to 10 AM. They do a pork and century egg congee for 8 RMB that's incredibly smooth, and the old woman running it has been there for decades. It's a humble spot but that's where you get the real flavor of Zhanjiang.
Best day trips from Zhanjiang?
not gonna lie, if you want a proper nature fix without dealing with island logistics, head out to Huguangyan National Geopark. it's like 30 minutes south of the city by bus, and the centerpiece is this huge volcanic crater lake, one of the biggest in china apparently. the water is this insane shade of green and super clear, you can hike around the rim in like an hour or just chill by the shore. there's a small temple tucked into the hillside too, nothing fancy but nice and quiet. grab some η€ηΊ’θ― from the vendors at the entrance, they're cheap and perfect for a snack on the walk
honestly, if you've got a day and want something a bit different, take the bus out to Leizhou. it's about an hour and a half from the city center, and the old town has this super laid-back vibe with these ancient volcanic stone houses. the real draw is the food though, you can find some amazing η½εη (poached dog) if you're adventurous, but the real gem is the ηͺθ η², rice noodle rolls with a sweet soy sauce, way better than what you get in the city. also the Leizhou Confucian Temple is quiet and worth a wander, no crowds at all
fwiw, if you're into nature, take the ferry over to Naozhou Island. it's about a 40-minute ride from the harbor and the beaches are way less crowded than the ones in town. there's this old volcanic crater lake called Qinglan Lake that's pretty cool to walk around, and the seafood stalls near the pier have fresh θ (oysters) for like 15 yuan a dozen. just check the ferry schedule ahead of time, the last one back is usually around 5pm