Green Lemon Tree International Apartment - Beijing Road Jiedeng Metropolis Branch

The chain started life as a stall, before this hugely popular outpost opened in 1996. The veteran crew follows ancient recipes to craft its reasonably priced Cantonese fare. The signature Ze Ze eels are swamp varieties served sizzling in a claypot; the fried mantis shrimp in spiced salt bursts with sweetness; and the house-made ice cream is a must. Only private room reservations are accepted. Otherwise, come early to beat the long wait at peak hours.

You can't miss the long queue at the door, but that doesn't put avid foodies off coming here. Available in both Singaporean and Malaysian styles, bak kut teh is simmered for three hours with pork ribs, garlic, white peppercorns and herbs until the meat falls off the bone. You will even find Thai and Vietnamese classics on the menu – the sautéed Chinese violet buds in Vietnamese fermented shrimp paste taste floral and pungent at the same time.

Shi shi chicken – steamed chicken served with fermented clam dip – ranks among the top 10 chicken dishes in Guangzhou, but it’s hard to come by these days. The chef, who once worked in a prestigious hotel, uses Qingyuan birds for this dish because of their bouncy skin and silky flesh. Besides the clam dip, it comes with soy sauce and ginger scallion dip. Also try the rice noodles made from scratch in-house and dressed in a secret soy blend.

This restaurant with wood-rich finishes primarily serves dishes made with soybean products or mushrooms – no dairy, eggs, garlic or onion are used. Sweet and sour monkey head mushrooms and vegan meat with pickled cabbage are both tangy creations with layers of textures. The house-made mugwort-scented dumplings and plant-based yoghurt are also popular. Reservations recommended on the 1st and 15th day of every lunar month, when Buddhists go meat-free.

Since 1983, Dayang has been synonymous with double-boiled soups, which dominate its menu. Three stacks of steel steamers in the corner turn out tasty health tonics every couple hours and you never know in advance exactly what will be available. In the top-selling silkie chicken soup in whole coconut, meaty and nutty flavours mingle. The quail soup is also popular. Adventurous eaters might like to try the turtle jelly with milk and honey.

For over 40 years, the owner has been insisting on shopping for fresh beef offal daily, painstakingly preparing and braising it in a rich stock made from scratch with beef and lamb bones. His beef bone marrow boasts a creamy texture and is a perfect match with the house-made radish pickles. Beef tripe tip is another premium cut, available only after 11am. As well as beef offal, also try wonton noodle soup, braised beef brisket and tendon.

Since 1985, this tiny gem has been specialising in double-boiled soups. The menu boasts some 20 health tonics that are grouped by medicinal properties – some nourish the lungs; others boost energy levels. Those slow-cooked in whole coconuts are especially loved by customers, like the coconut chicken soup that imparts sweet aromas. Steamed rice with pork patty and pickled mustard greens entices with briny umami and juicy, silky pork.