Guilin Rice Noodles and Dumplings: Legendary Chinese Comfort Food

By Mark Wiens 29 Comments
Guilin Noodles 桂林米粉
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!

Guilin Noodles in Yangshuo, China
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
Decorated and Delicious Guilin Noodles

Guilin Noodle Toppings

Jiaozi (Jiǎozi 餃子)
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
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
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!

Guilin Noodles 桂林米粉
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

29 comments. I'd love to hear from you!

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  • Dan

    12 years ago

    Delicious looking noodles – yeah I’m really missing all the restaurants I visited in Guangzhou last month.

  • Micamyx|Senyorita

    12 years ago

    Been dreaming of chinese food the whole night. Why did i go here 0_0

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Haha, hope you can find some good Chinese food soon!

  • John in France

    12 years ago

    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!!

  • Grace

    12 years ago

    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!

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      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!

  • Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista

    12 years ago

    I am so hungry right now! I can’t tell you how good your pictures look. Craving food now. . .

  • Nomadic Samuel

    12 years ago

    Oh man, I miss Guangxi food as well! It’s not a good idea to read your blog on an empty stomach 😛

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Ha, thanks Samuel! Man, I just love the different variations of Chinese food in each province, and Guangxi is one of the best!

  • Maria

    12 years ago

    You have it ALL w/that view and the food! Envy doesn’t even begin to describe the emotions :-/
    *laugh*

  • inka

    12 years ago

    Dumplings are so my thing. And the video is fun to watch. Well done.

  • Laura

    12 years ago

    I also usually take rice over noodles, except maybe Korean noodles. 🙂 I also LOOOOOVVVVVEEEEEEE dumplings of almost every variety. Those ones look amazing.

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      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!

  • Raymond @ Man On The Lam

    12 years ago

    Oh I do love me some noodles. And some dumplings too!

  • jenjenk

    12 years ago

    i just slobbered over myself – no joke. why do you do this to me??!!!! It looks so good!!!!

  • James Shannon

    12 years ago

    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!

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Ha, thanks a lot James. Hope you get a chance to hang around Yangshuo, it’s a wonderful place!

  • Christy @ Technosyncratic

    12 years ago

    I have a soft spot for noodles, so this hits me right in the gut. 🙂

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Awesome to hear that Christy! They can be so tasty!

  • Melissa

    12 years ago

    great shots and great story! now i’m hungry…

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      Thanks Melissa – now go get something to eat!