Life of Guangzhou - Da Zhai Men Temple Restaurant

Entrance facade. (Guangzhou Daily)

In Chinese tradition, on festivals and other important days, people converge and dine in collective celebration in their own clan's temple - 'Ci Tang' in Chinese.

While in the cities many such temples and their associated heritage have disappeared, but in downtown Yuexiu, there is still a centurial 'Ci Tang' of the local Ou Clan, where you can find the delicacies of home – Da Zhai Men Temple Restaurant. Da Zhai Men means 'Large House'.

Decades ago the Ous were a rich and influential clan in Guangzhou, so when the restaurant owner took over the badly-maintained house three years ago, it was renovated into a 'vintage' dining place.

A red lantern in the front hall. (Lifeofguangzhou.com)

The ambience is rustic, historic, and typically Cantonese. High ceilings, wood beams, red brick grounds, large pillars, red lanterns, granite paved courtyards, rattan tables, and stone carvings combine to create relaxing and happy feelings.

A stone carving. (Lifeofguangzhou.com)

A small courtyard of the Da Zhai Men Temple Restaurant. (Lifeofguangzhou.com)

This big and spacious place is divided into three sections – front and rear halls for service and a small courtyard between them, a typical old-fashioned setup of a Chinese house.

The food is countryside and home-made Cantonese style – simple yet delicious, and freshly cooked in front of you. But the service is not so great, and the prices are on the high side, for what is only an 'average' restaurant for common Chinese people.

Food is freshly cooked in front of you. (Lifeofguangzhou.com)

If you want to come for the taste, and experience the history of this place you better be quick, as the Yuexiu District government is claiming possession of the temple. It is an officially-rated cultural relic, and building protection regulations will soon prevent the restaurant from continuing its operation.

Add: No. 25, Haoxian Lu (eastern section of the road), Yuexiu District
豪贤路25号
Tel: 8384 3613

Front hall. (Lifeofguangzhou.com)

Fried Pork. (Lifeofguangzhou.com)

Guangdong-style beef ball. (Lifeofguangzhou.com)

Guests enjoy hot-pot. (Lifeofguangzhou.com)

Classical partition of kitchen and rear hall. (Lifeofguangzhou.com)

A drawing of 'The Outlaws', an ancient classical novel of China. (Lifeofguangzhou.com)

An old-fashioned rattan table. (Lifeofguangzhou.com)

(Written and photographed by Ronald Li)

Da Zhai Men Temple Restaurant

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