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—Wenchang chicken simmered in a broth made from fresh young coconut water, resulting in a clear, sweet broth and tender, succulent meat. Dip in sand ginger and lime 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)

The gold standard for coconut chicken in Shenzhen; long lines during mealtimes.

Ordering Tips: Drink the broth first, then eat the meat. Must-order side dishes include bamboo fungus and water chestnuts. The soul of the dish lies in the dipping sauce made with sand ginger, lime, and soy sauce.

Shenzhen SeafoodShenzhen Seafood

Shenzhen thrives on the sea. At Yantian Seafood Street, seafood is caught and prepared on the spot; at Shekou Seafood Market, you can pick out 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’s recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage item.

60–200 yuan per person

Where to Eat

Shekou (蛇口)

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

Ordering Tips: Blanched shrimp dipped in Puning bean sauce, “Bifengtang-style” stir-fried crab, and sea urchin fried rice are classic dishes.