Guilin Noodles in Yangshuo, China
You don’t even need to ask someone if it’s good if it has been served the same way for thousands of years.
You can assume it’s delicious.
Guilin Noodles (桂林米粉) is one of those many Chinese dishes that has withstood the test of time since its development in the Qin Dynasty over 2000 years ago – and to this day it remains a powerhouse of local cuisine.
Guangxi Province
Around Guilin, China, in Guangxi Province, the rice noodles are as popular as they’ve ever been throughout antiquity.
Bowls of the flavor packed noodles fly out of hole in the wall restaurants during all meals of the day.
From construction workers to little Chinese infants, Guilin noodles are loved and offer the ultimate in culinary satisfaction.
Though I personally almost always prefer rice over noodles, I’ll say that these were pretty good!
Plain Guilin Noodles in Yangshuo, China
What are Guilin Noodles (桂林米粉)?
As the name suggests, the dish consists of soft white rice noodles – the Chinese kind that had an influence on noodles like Phở in Vietnam and Mohinga in Burma. They are served plain in mild pork or beef (or sometimes horse) broth along with a few steamed green veggies and possibly a few pieces of some kind of meat.
However, if you can see the photo at the top and below, you may not even see any noodles at all!
As a lover of pungent flavors, spices and sauces, I strive to take full advantage of self-service condiments that are for grabs at all Guilin noodle restaurants.
Decorated and Delicious Guilin Noodles
Guilin Noodle Toppings
- Chinese Pickled Vegetables: different at every Guilin noodle restaurant but there’s normally bamboo shoots, green beans, and maybe some kind of cabbage
- Peanuts: roasted peanuts
- Soy Beans: pickled soy beans
- Green Onions: raw chopped green onions
- Chili Flakes: dry toasted chili flakes should always be a main component when you dress your bowl of Guilin noodles
Handmade Chinese Jiaozi (Jiǎozi 餃子)
Noodles and Dumplings
Nothing goes better with a bowl of Guilin Noodles than a steaming bamboo tray full of Jiaozi (Jiǎozi 餃子).
This type of Chinese dumpling is a bit meatier and bulkier than Hong kong dim sum dumplings.
These particular dumplings at the Lotus Patch Guilin Noodle restaurant were filled with a little bit of minced pork and minced wood ear mushrooms.
Hole in the Wall Guilin Noodle Restaurant
After spending a month in Yangshuo, China (about 1 hour from Guilin), and comparing a few different restaurants, the best were from a small hole in the wall eatery overlooking a lotus patch. After discovering this gem of an eatery I went there a number of times prior to taking a bike ride in Yangshuo!
Guilin Noodle Restaurant - Yangshuo, China
The antique wooden platform where the restaurant sits along with their ancient kitchen equipment were evidence of the age of the legendary Guilin noodles!
All I know is that they made a next to perfect bowl of Gulin noodles, had a great selection of toppings, and their lotus patch garden view was unbeatable.
Check out this quick 1:51 VIDEO!
Chinese Rice Noodles in Guilin, China
Price for Guilin Noodles
Guilin noodles in China normally cost 3 – 5 CNY ($0.47 – $0.78) per bowl, and the portions are quite large! Tack on an extra 3 CNY ($0.47) and you’ll get about 12 dumplings. Is that a great deal, or what?
If you ever visit don’t forget to eat Guilin Noodles and Dumplings, and if you are in Yangshuo be sure to stop by the Lotus Guilin Noodle restaurant!
How to Get There
Not sure exactly what the name of this restaurant is but here’s map to make it easier to find it.
View Guilin Noodle Restaurant, Yangshuo, China in a larger map
great shots and great story! now i’m hungry…
Melissa recently posted..Two million people Whistler a happy tune!
Thanks Melissa – now go get something to eat!
I have a soft spot for noodles, so this hits me right in the gut.
Christy @ Technosyncratic recently posted..Art and Rebellion: An Art Squat Attempts to Survive Berlin’s Changing Landscape
Awesome to hear that Christy! They can be so tasty!
If you’re trying to convince me to spend time poking around rural China for weeks at a time, you’re doing a splendid job!
Amazing dish!
James Shannon recently posted..Motobike Madness: Braving The Streets of Saigon, Vietnam
Ha, thanks a lot James. Hope you get a chance to hang around Yangshuo, it’s a wonderful place!
i just slobbered over myself – no joke. why do you do this to me??!!!! It looks so good!!!!
jenjenk recently posted..My Top 10 Travel Bucket List
Hahaha…Awesome!
Oh I do love me some noodles. And some dumplings too!
Raymond @ Man On The Lam recently posted..Kevin from Cork, Ireland…you SUCK!
It is a very pleasing meal!
I also usually take rice over noodles, except maybe Korean noodles.
I also LOOOOOVVVVVEEEEEEE dumplings of almost every variety. Those ones look amazing.
Dumplings are really awesome. I’m not sure if I’ve had fresh Korean noodles, but when it comes to packaged ramen, I also love the Korean red package the best – the kimchi noodles!
Dumplings are so my thing. And the video is fun to watch. Well done.
Thanks Inka!
You have it ALL w/that view and the food! Envy doesn’t even begin to describe the emotions :-/
*laugh*
Maria recently posted..When a Stranger Calls
Haha! Thanks Maria!
Oh man, I miss Guangxi food as well! It’s not a good idea to read your blog on an empty stomach
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Medellin Living | Colombia | Interview |
Ha, thanks Samuel! Man, I just love the different variations of Chinese food in each province, and Guangxi is one of the best!
I am so hungry right now! I can’t tell you how good your pictures look. Craving food now. . .
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista recently posted..Musical Mirabell Gardens
Thanks Debbie!
I think they give you the micro stools so that you start burning the calories as you eat since you’ll have to spend some energy balancing on it =) The photos and videos are looking great Mark!
Grace recently posted..The Tri-Star: Tom Bihn’s Convertible Carry On Bag…and a giveaway!
That’s a great theory Grace, and it sounds good to me. Anything we can do to burn a few more calories (and be able to eat a bit more), is a priority with me!
Do you know what Mark, I had never had any desire to go to China, but having read your last few posts, it is now a must for me, thanks!!
John in France recently posted..Edith Piaf – The Sparrow and the Rose
Been dreaming of chinese food the whole night. Why did i go here 0_0
Micamyx|Senyorita recently posted..First Winter in Wales – Overnight Stay in Barcelo Cardiff Angel Hotel
Haha, hope you can find some good Chinese food soon!
Delicious looking noodles – yeah I’m really missing all the restaurants I visited in Guangzhou last month.
Dan recently posted..3 Ways Sexy Oriental Women Can Make YOU Lose Your Mind
Thanks Dan!