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From the heavy mutton stews of Xinjiang to the succulent seafood dishes of Fujian, Shenzhen is home to thousands of restaurants existing not to please the fickle palates of visitors but to alleviate the homesickness of people pining for native provinces left behind.
The classy decor and warm ambience are good reasons to dine at 1881, but the delicious food is what makes this one of the most popular restaurants in Shenzhen. Located inside the Grand Hyatt Shenzhen, 1881 specializes in classic Sichuan and Northern Chinese cuisines, and it's particularly well known for its wood-fired Peking duck. Also on the menu are a slew of Chinese wines and teas.
The restaurant shuts down for a few hours between lunch and dinner, so be sure to call ahead.
This is a hidden treasure amid Shenzhen's vast number of restaurants. It's famous for its Peking duck, said to be just as good as that in Beijing, and for its fish soups, served in hubcap sized bowls. The catfish and pickled vegetable soup is velvety and the fish melts in your mouth. The smaller side dishes, mostly vegetables, offset the heavier fare. The waiting area in the front has birds in cages, and you're offered tea and pumpkin seeds while you wait.
