Reethi Rah Hotel

Dai Tai opened its doors in 2011, specialising in Yunnanese home-style cooking, especially the cuisine of the Dai ethnic group. The all-Yunnanese kitchen team has most ingredients shipped from their home province to ensure authenticity. The food is mostly spicy, but diners can ask the chefs to tone it down. Try the Dai-style deep-fried pork skin starter – a crunchy, zesty treat. Follow up with fresh sweet bamboo shoots stir-fried with Yunnan ham.

For 10-plus years, this flagship establishment has been packed with loyal patrons. The modern stylish interior showcases top-notch dried seafood which is used in the famous Fujian Buddha jumps over the wall dish, but you can also enjoy other first-rate dishes without breaking the bank. Try Minnan prawn noodles in orange coloured tomalley soup or made to order black mochi packed with black sesame aroma. The seasonal menu is also worth exploring.

This neighbourhood duck congee shop opened its doors in 1983. Locals come in droves 24-7 for a bowl of comforting porridge that warms the heart and soul. Those overwhelmed by the 20-plus toppings available can opt for one of the popular combos – ‘signature’ with duck meat and offal; ‘seafood’ with duck, oysters, and squid; or the ‘classic’ with duck, pork liver and marinated egg. Always order a deep-fried dough stick to mop up the broth.

With live fish tanks lining the entrance, this is clearly the place to be for fresh seafood. The owner sources his fish directly from local fishermen, ensuring his catch is always the best. Minnan-style seafood defines the menu, and the peanut worm salad in a mustard dressing makes for an interesting start. The braised carpet shark belly and liver is another must-try: the liver is creamy, like tofu, and the belly has a fine, springy texture.

Its bright red sign may be hard to miss but it's the lingering herbal aromas that draw in customers from near and far. The owner used to run a Chinese clinic and opened Shan Gu Tang to serve food with medicinal value. The small menu is dominated by herbal soups, alongside blanched items, marinated meats and seasoned taro rice. Try the free-range chicken soup with russula mushrooms, or pork intestine soup with lotus seeds.

This place dates back to the 1940s, when the founder would carry her mobile kitchen on a bamboo pole balanced on her shoulder and sell her bianshi dumplings on the go. She then settled at this spot and has stayed put ever since. Now run by her son, it has built a loyal following for dumplings – handmade like in the old days. The signature has always been shrimp bianshi soup with springy noodles dressed in peanut and fermented tofu sauce.

Ever since this neighbourhood joint opened its doors in 1996, there have only been four items on the menu – ginger duck stew, duck gizzards, blanched leafy greens and steamed rice. In the most famous restaurant for ginger duck in the whole of Xiamen, rows and rows of claypots containing local Muscovy duck and old ginger sizzle in rice wine and sesame oil, exuding addictive aromas. The duck gizzards tend to run out, so come early.