Canton Morning Tea

Zao Cha, or morning tea, is the typical morning activity in Canton people’s daily life. When waking up in the morning, drinking a cup of tea to refresh breath and oneself, tasting snacks to stimulate a good appetite, it is really a fantastic life!

Brief Introduction

When referring the traditional Canton culture, morning tea culture could not be missed. During each weekends or holidays, Cantonese will begin their morning tea activity. Generally, the morning tea will be joined by a whole family or a group of good friends. In Cantonese idea, morning tea is an enjoyable thing which can spend leisure time and relax selves thoroughly.

Thus the name “morning tea”, tea is the necessary part. Morning tea prefers to take the black tea because it functions to warm the stomach and be advantage for digesting. The common tea used in morning tea will be oolong tea, tieguanyin tea, pu 'er tea. The black tea is in a little bitter taste and not as crystal as the green tea, but it is the golden pair for snacks in morning tea.

Origin of Morning Tea

The origin of Canton morning tea can be dated back to Xianfeng Emperor Period. During that time, there was a restaurant called “Yi Li Guan”. In the gate of this restaurant there was a board written two Chinese characters “Cha Hua” which mean a place for chatting and serve tea and snacks. Gradually, Cantonese preferred this kind of dinning. And with the trend, more and more restaurants in this kind were emerged. Till now, the tea served in the morning tea becomes the second role, while the snacks play a very important role. The elaborate snacks are symbols of the canton dinning culture.

Snacks Served in Morning Tea

Snacks play the significant role in morning tea. There are two kinds of morning tea – the solid ones and the liquid ones. The solid ones can be Chinese dumpling, steamed buns, glutinous food, etc, and the liquid ones can be porridge, guiling jelly, beancurd jelly, etc.

Compared with solid ones and liquid ones, the former ones can be regarded as the highlight of Canton morning tea. For example, the representative – shrimp dumpling (you can find this dish in any restaurant that serves morning tea in Guangdong). The transparent dumpling wrapper with the shrimp materials inside will bring you a fresh taste. Besides, the egg tart which can be found in some high-end restaurants will let you have an unforgettable feeling when enjoy it.

Morning Tea Culture

Morning tea culture now is not only popular in Canton area, but also an oversea trend because of the more and more overseas Chinese. It is easily to find Canton morning tea restaurants in New York or Los Angeles, even in the remote islet in South Pacific Ocean.

When entering into the restaurant, a waiter will take a record card to you. On the card, there are all kinds of dishes and snacks that served here. And also, the waiter will ask you to order about which kind of tea you prefer to choose.

No need to take the dishes by yourself. There are waiters who push a pushcart which is set full of dishes will stroll around the dining hall. When the pushcart is near your desk, you can pick out the things you prefer to eat, and the waiter will take which things you have chosen as a record on your card, or give a stamp in the snack catalog. When finish the morning tea, you will bring this card as the bill to pay off.

Top 5 recommended Morning Tea restaurants

1. Nanyuan Restaurant (Qianjin Road Branch)

With a history rooted in the garden of a wealthy salt merchant named Kong during the old days, Nanyuan Restaurant is a living showcase of Lingnan garden architecture. Stepping inside, you'll be greeted by green bricks, glazed tiles, small bridges arching over flowing water, and lush greenery, creating a serene and elegant ambiance that feels like a retreat from the bustling city.

Address: No. 142 Qianjin Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou (near Xiaogang Park)
Business Hours: 08:00 - 15:00
Must-Try Dishes: Mexican Char Siu Bao: A creative twist on the classic char siu bao, featuring a soft bun filled with sweet and savory barbecued pork, with a hint of Mexican spice that adds an interesting layer of flavor.Steamed Chicken Feet: Tender chicken feet braised in a rich, umami sauce with black beans and garlic, then steamed to perfection—fall-off-the-bone tender and full of flavor.Swan Pastry: Adorably shaped like a swan, this delicate pastry is filled with creamy custard or sweet red bean paste, with a crisp outer layer that melts in your mouth.Shrimp Dumpling King (Ha gow): Plump dumplings with translucent skins, filled with fresh, succulent shrimp— a staple of Cantonese dim sum and a test of the chef's skill.

2. Guangzhou Restaurant (Longjin West Road Branch)

Known as "the No. 1 Restaurant in Guangzhou" for its long-standing reputation, Guangzhou Restaurant is a symbol of traditional Cantonese cuisine. The restaurant features exquisite garden design, with a古朴 exterior and interior elements that reflect西关 culture, such as "tanglongmen" (traditional sliding wooden doors) and "Manzhou windows" (colorful stained-glass windows). It’s not just a place to eat but a cultural landmark where you can experience the essence of Guangzhou's culinary art.

Address: No. 98 Longjin West Building, Liwan District, Guangzhou. It’s about a 10-minute walk from Exit B of Zhongshan Eighth Road Station on Metro Line 5.
Business Hours: 09:00 - 14:30, 17:30 - 21:30
Must-Try Dishes: Wenchang Chicken: A classic Cantonese dish named after Wenchang County in Hainan. The chicken is raised in a special way, resulting in tender, juicy meat with a delicate flavor. It’s usually served with a dipping sauce made of ginger and scallions.Char Siu Bao: The signature bun of Guangzhou Restaurant, with a fluffy, soft bun and a generous filling of sweet and savory char siu (barbecued pork) that’s cooked to perfection.Golden流沙包 (Golden Lava Bun): When you bite into this bun, a rich, creamy salted egg yolk lava oozes out—sweet, salty, and incredibly indulgent.Freshly Baked Char Siu Pastry: Layers of flaky pastry包裹着 (wrapping) tender char siu filling. Each bite is crispy on the outside and savory on the inside, with the pastry melting in your mouth.

3. Tangli Garden

Located on Liwan Lake, Tangli Garden has a history dating back to the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty, making it a true historical gem. What sets it apart is the unique dining experience: after ordering, your food is delivered by boat to the center of the lake, where you can enjoy your morning tea while surrounded by the tranquil waters and beautiful scenery of Liwan Lake. The restaurant specializes in classic Cantonese cuisine and traditional Xiguan snacks, preserving the authentic flavors of old Guangzhou.

Address: No. 12 Yongbian Heng Street, Huangsha Avenue, Liwan District, Guangzhou. It’s a 600-meter walk from Exit B of Ruyifang Station on Metro Line 6.
Business Hours: 07:30 - 14:30, 17:00 - 23:00
Must-Try Dishes: Intangible Cultural Heritage Braised Milk Pigeon: A signature dish with a history of over a century. The pigeon is marinated in a secret sauce, then braised until the skin is crispy and the meat is tender and juicy, with a rich, savory flavor.Secret Crispy Black Char Siu: Made with high-quality pork belly, marinated in a special black sauce, then roasted until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The sweet and savory flavor is unforgettable.Shrimp Red Rice Noodle Roll: Soft and chewy red rice noodle rolls filled with fresh shrimp and crispy fried dough sticks. It’s served with a sweet soy sauce that complements the flavors perfectly.Tingzai Porridge (Boat Porridge): A classic Xiguan snack made with a smooth, creamy porridge base, topped with shredded chicken, pork, shrimp, and peanuts. It’s warm, comforting, and full of texture.

4. Ronghua Building

Founded during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, Ronghua Building is the only remaining Cantonese opera-themed teahouse in Guangzhou that features live Cantonese opera performances with full makeup. The building has three floors: the first floor sells traditional Cantonese pastries, the second floor is the dining area for morning tea, and the third floor is the Cantonese opera tea house, where performances are held from 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM every day. Here, you can enjoy delicious dim sum while immersing yourself in the unique charm of Cantonese opera, making it a perfect spot for culture and food lovers.

Address: No. 714 Longjin East Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou. It’s a 5-minute walk from Exit C of Chenjiaci Station on Metro Lines 1 and 8.
Business Hours: 07:00 - 15:30, 17:00 - 22:00
Must-Try Dishes: Signature Ronghua Rich and Noble Chicken: Prepared using traditional methods, the chicken is marinated in a sauce with dried tangerine peel, resulting in tender meat with a subtle citrus aroma that balances the richness.Ronghua Signature Shrimp Dumpling: Fresh and plump shrimp wrapped in thin, translucent dumpling skins. Each dumpling is filled with juicy shrimp, making it a favorite among dim sum lovers.Dried Tangerine Peel Beef Ball: Tender beef balls mixed with chopped dried tangerine peel, which adds a refreshing citrus flavor and reduces the greasiness. The balls are springy and full of flavor.Authentic Liwan Tingzai Porridge: A hearty porridge loaded with fresh ingredients like shrimp, pork, and chicken, cooked slowly to achieve a smooth and creamy texture. It’s a taste of traditional Xiguan cuisine.

5. Water Tea House

For a one-of-a-kind morning tea experience, Water Tea House is the perfect choice. It operates at three piers: Taikoo Cang Pier (Nanhai Shenhao), Tianzi Pier (Information Times Hao), and Dashatou Pier (Jinfang Hao). The dim sum is supplied by the renowned Guangzhou Restaurant, ensuring high quality and authentic flavors. As you cruise along the Pearl River, you can enjoy panoramic views of Guangzhou's iconic landmarks, such as the Canton Tower and Haixin Bridge, while savoring delicious dim sum and sipping tea. It’s a unique way to experience the city's beauty and culinary culture at the same time.

Addresses: Taikoo Cang Pier (Nanhai Shenhao): Taikoo Cang Wharf, Haizhu District, GuangzhouTianzi Pier (Information Times Hao): Tianzi Wharf, Yuexiu District, GuangzhouDashatou Pier (Jinfang Hao): Dashatou Wharf, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou
Business Hours: There are three sessions per day, each lasting about 2 hours. Boarding times are 08:30, 10:30, and 12:30.
Must-Try Dishes: Classic Shrimp Dumplings (Ha gow): Fresh, succulent shrimp wrapped in thin, delicate skins— a timeless dim sum favorite that never disappoints.Siu Mai (Pork and Shrimp Dumplings): Open-top dumplings filled with a mixture of ground pork and shrimp, seasoned with ginger and scallions. They’re savory and full of flavor.Char Siu Bao: Soft, fluffy buns filled with sweet and savory barbecued pork— a classic dim sum that’s a staple at any Cantonese morning tea.Steamed Rice Noodle Rolls (Cheung fun): Silky smooth rice noodle rolls filled with shrimp, pork, or vegetables, served with a sweet soy sauce. They’re light and refreshing.