Wanggang Canteen「旺岗饭堂」

Review

Today I arrived in Zhaoqing, and the first thing I did was head straight to the Xijiang River to eat river fresh seafood. I specifically brought my Fujian friend to taste the authentic flavors of the Xijiang. We found this river fresh restaurant online—though it’s a bit out of the way, it has good reviews, so we decided to give it a try.

By the time we arrived, it was already past the meal rush. I thought there wouldn’t be many people, but there were still quite a few diners. The restaurant is large, with about thirty to fifty tables in the outdoor area and another thirty to forty indoors. It’s a long-established local restaurant that has been around for years, and it’s clear business has been steady.

We ordered three dishes for two people: boiled river shrimp, boiled brisket, and steamed bream. The bream was 35 yuan per jin (about 0.5 kg), and we got one just over a jin. With a few liang (about 150g) of river shrimp and a portion of brisket, it was just enough for the two of us.

The dish that satisfied me the most was the steamed bream. The fish was exceptionally tender and fresh, with no muddy taste at all—you could really taste the freshness of the Xijiang river fish. My Fujian friend said after eating it that this fish changed his impression of river fish; he never thought freshwater fish could be so sweet and delicious. The boiled river shrimp were firm and tasty, and the brisket was well-prepared. Overall, the food did not disappoint.

Although this restaurant isn’t easy to find, it has managed to stay in business for so many years, and I think it’s because of the genuine flavors. In fact, the overall standard of river fresh restaurants along the Xijiang is quite high, each with its own specialty. Which one you prefer is a matter of personal taste.

But one thing I’m sure of: when you come to Zhaoqing and the Xijiang River, you must try authentic Xijiang river fresh seafood. It’s definitely one of the most worthwhile culinary experiences here.

Visit details

• Address: Guangdong Province, Zhaoqing, Lian’an West Street, opposite Shantou（广东省肇庆市联安西街沙头斜对面）
• Rating: 4.5 / 5
• Average spend: ¥75 per person
• Published: July 2, 2026
• Original record: View this review on Dianping

Photos