Shenzhen Food Guide

What to Eat, Where to Find It, and How to Order Like a Local

🥢 Must-Try Dishes

Coconut ChickenCoconut Chicken Hot Pot

Shenzhen’s most popular local hot pot—featuring Wenchang chicken simmered in a broth made from fresh young coconut water, resulting in a clear, sweet broth and tender, succulent meat. Dip in a sauce made with sand ginger, lime, and soy sauce. Runyuan Siji is widely recognized by Shenzhen locals as the gold standard.

80–120 yuan per person

Where to Eat

Shopping Park (购物公园)→Runyuan Siji Coconut Chicken (润园四季椰子鸡)

Shenzhen’s premier coconut chicken restaurant—expect long lines during mealtimes.

Tips for Ordering Food: Drink the soup first, then eat the meat. Be sure to order bamboo fungus and water chestnuts as side dishes. Sand ginger, lime, and soy sauce are the essential dipping sauce.

Shenzhen SeafoodShenzhen Seafood

Shenzhen thrives on its coastal resources. At Yantian Seafood Street, seafood is caught and prepared fresh on the spot; at Shekou Seafood Market, you can select your own seafood and have the vendors prepare it for you. Shajing has a history of oyster farming dating back over 200 years, and it is recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage project.

60–200 yuan per person

Where to Eat

Shekou (蛇口)

At the Shekou Seafood Market, pick out your own seafood and have the shop prepare it for you; the preparation fee is 10–30 yuan.

Tips for Ordering Food: Classic dishes include blanched shrimp dipped in Puning bean paste, “Bifeng塘” stir-fried crab, and sea urchin fried rice.