Grand New Century Hotel Wenzhou Sanyu

This noodle shop started out as a street hawker stall back in 1989. It is now run by the second-generation owner who cooks with only the freshest seafood delivered daily. Their signature ‘san xian mian’ features three kinds of seafood, namely shrimps, clams and fish; the noodles are springy in texture and the seafood broth boasts deep, complex aromas thanks to vintage wine. Stir-fries like spicy sautéed pork kidney are packed with wok hei.

Local gourmets have been flocking here since 2006, drawn by outstanding Wenzhou-style seafood dishes– typically blanched, steamed or braised. The naturally sweet and umami flavours of over 30 kinds of local seafood take centre stage; most ingredients are sourced directly from local fishermen to ensure freshness. Try the braised dried cuttlefish with taro that tastes creamy and briny-sweet, while homemade tofu pudding is the perfect way to end a meal.

This tiny gem in the city centre is famous for its authentic Wenzhou-style snacks, like ‘gao tou’ – a rice cake wrap stuffed with veggies, dried tofu, fried dough stick, braised pork and a scoop of meat gravy. Tofu pudding can be served as a dessert or a savoury dish with soy and a hint of garlic. The husband-and-wife team provides friendly service and they make everything from scratch every morning to ensure maximum freshness.

From rubble masonry to rain cape and bamboo hat, the room sports a farming theme to complement its rustic, country-style lineup. There is no paper menu, so diners browse the display counters as if in a wet market and place their orders directly with the staff. The super-fresh seafood platter is particularly popular. Ask to have your pick braised home-style like the locals, adding pointy-ended nut-filled dumplings known as ji deng wan.

The three-storey restaurant may be rustic in style, but its novel take on familiar home-style flavours defies all expectations. The kitchen dreams up adventurous food combinations that work surprisingly well. Must-tries include pork dumplings in a deeply flavoured duck herbal broth that has been simmered for hours. A Taizhou meal is never complete without seafood, such as braised yellow croaker, white crab, or spicy whelks sautéed with aromatics.

This seafood restaurant, which sports a dockside theme, has earned wide acclaim with its home-style Wenzhou dishes. A magnificent lineup of seafood shipped straight from the port is displayed at the entrance – yellow croaker, white shrimp, freshwater crab, sea anemone, razor clams... You can take your pick or ask the server for recommendations and ways to prepare. Prices are reasonable and the cooking highlights natural flavours.

In a bright, airy space that is tastefully furnished in an antique gold colour scheme, the open kitchen and live seafood tanks are the centre of attention. Popular choices include yellow croaker, pomfret and lobster –pick your favourites and have them cooked in your preferred way. Must-tries include the crispy deep-fried beltfish belly, which is packed with umami and briny sweetness. The Taizhou-style braised crushed crab is pure decadence.