Liwan Wonton Noodle Shops (荔湾云吞面)

Liwan District (荔湾) is the epicentre of Guangzhou's wonton noodle culture, with dozens of small family-run shops serving the original Guangdong version of the dish — bouncy alkaline noodles, thin-skinned pork-and-prawn wontons with tiger prawn roe filling, in a clear broth made from dried flounder and pork bones. The Cantonese wonton noodle (云吞面) here is the ancestor of the HK-style bowl, and locals insist it is superior. Bowls cost CNY 15-30 (approx. HKD 16-32). Dianping favourites on Longjin Street score 4.6-4.8/5. Mafengwo users say "eating wonton noodles in old Liwan is a must for any Hong Kong visitor — this is where it all started."