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We recently had the opportunity to try the legendary Guangzhou Min Ji Bao Zai Fan, known for its exceptional claypot rice. It did not disappoint!

If you find yourself in Guangzhou, a must-try dish is claypot rice, also known as bao zai fan. During my visit, I went to a classic restaurant renowned for its traditional claypot rice, appropriately named Min Ji Claypot Rice / Min Ji Bao Zai Fan (民记煲仔饭). The rice was infused with stock and fat, resulting in a delightful golden crust at the bottom. The toppings delivered maximum flavor and were crisp and beautifully scorched.

Frankly speaking, I didn’t have high expectations before my visit, but Min Ji claypot rice turned out to be one of the most memorable dishes from my trip to Guangzhou. Read on for my review of Min Ji Claypot Rice, one of the legendary baos zai fan in the city.

Min Ji Bao Zai Fan (民记煲仔饭)

Established in 1979, Min Ji Claypot Rice (民记煲仔饭) boasts a history of 43 years. It is a classic Guangzhou restaurant with nostalgic, old-school vibes that attract both locals and tourists for its mouthwatering claypot rice.

If you search for Min Ji Bao Zai Fan, you’ll find several branches throughout Guangzhou. We visited the busiest location located near Beijing Road, which is a popular spot for travelers.

Min Ji Claypot Rice Guanghou Beijing Road

From my research, I knew this Min Ji Claypot Rice Beijing Road restaurant tends to be crowded, making it difficult to get a table during peak dinner hours. We thought we were clever by arriving during off-peak times, but there was still a queue, which speaks to the restaurant’s popularity. Diners are given red plastic stools or are expected to stand patiently as they wait for their turn.

Ultimately, we waited for almost an hour to get seated.

Min Ji Claypot Rice (民记煲仔饭)
Address: 452 HuiFu East Road, Yuexiu District (惠福东路 452号)
Business Hours: Daily from 10:00 to 21:00.
Estimated Price: Average RMB 30 – 40 per person.

Looking for accommodation nearby Beijing Road? We recommend staying at the Mercure Guangzhou Beijing Road Pedestrian Street Hotel. The hotel is ideally located in the heart of the pedestrian street, with numerous restaurants and eateries nearby.

Min Ji Claypot Rice Menu

MinJi is most famous for its claypot rice, but it also offers a selection of casual Chinese dishes, such as soups and rice sets. The Min Ji claypot menu has around 30 different flavors to choose from, and you can customize your dish by adding toppings like preserved sausages, eggs, or salted fish for an additional fee. They had so many possible combinations for their rice.

Since the claypot rice is prepared upon ordering, be ready for a wait that typically ranges from 20 to 40 minutes. Each pot is cooked to order over an open flame.

What We Order

MinJi Signature Traditional Lap Mei Fan — Min Ji Signature Traditional Lap Mei Fan

We decided to each select our own claypot rice based on our preferences.

From the menu, we chose the popular options that are highly recommended by diners. You can easily identify these dishes by the star next to them on the menu.

Min Ji Signature pork rib and beef claypot rice

We ordered four different clay pot rice dishes from Min Ji Bao Zai Fan to try. All flavors are truly thumbs up.

Traditional preserved meat /lap mei fan (腊味饭)
Mushroom chicken claypot rice topped up with preserved meat (香菇滑鸡煲仔饭+腊味)
Beef with preserved meat clay pot rice (牛肉腊肠煲仔饭)
Duo-topping version with pork rib and beef claypot rice (排骨+牛肉煲仔饭).

Min Ji Signature mushroom chicken claypot rice topped up with preserved meat

The Claypot Rice

Min Ji Signature beef and preserved meat claypot rice

My pick of beef and preserved meat claypot rice (牛肉腊肠煲仔饭). However, the wait time can vary depending on what you order, as some may possible took longer. Food is served as it is prepared, so don’t expect all your orders to arrive simultaneously if you’ve ordered multiple dishes.

Min Ji Claypot Rice with Crispy Char Bottom

How was the food? The freshly made, piping hot claypot was absolutely delicious. The fragrant oils and meat juices seeped beautifully into the rice below, creating a crispy bottom layer that was perfectly cooked without being burnt.

Don’t forget to add their secret house-made XO soy sauce and optional chili sauces for an enhanced flavor experience!

Overall: Min Ji Claypot Rice Good?

In summary, was the Min Ji Claypot Rice good? I would say it’s one of the best places to experience claypot rice in Guangzhou. The rice crust is crispy and golden, while the marinated meats are tender and full of flavor. Truly divine! After tasting this claypot rice, you’ll find it hard to match the standard set by other places. Additionally, the portions are generous, and the prices are very reasonable. I highly recommend it!

Looking for accommodation near Beijing Road? We recommend staying at the Mercure Guangzhou Beijing Road Pedestrian Street Hotel. The hotel is ideally located in the heart of the pedestrian street, with numerous restaurants and eateries nearby.

Related Food blog:

Lastly, this Min Ji Claypot Rice Food Review blog is part of our travel journey that includes Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Continue reading for more travel stories!

Traveling to Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou, be sure to check out our travel blog below:

The newly opened Orange Hotel Guangzhou Xihua Road Branch is truly an excellent find. With beautiful rooms, an excellent location, lovely staff, and spotless cleanliness, we didn’t want to leave! Read on to learn more about our stay experience!

During our recent trip to Guangzhou, we were looking for the best place to indulge in local Cantonese food. We were delighted to discover the Orange Hotel (Guangzhou Chen Clan Academy Xihua Road Branch). It is conveniently located near Xihua Road Food Street and close to attractions like the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall and various subway stations. Our two-night stay was amazing, and we thoroughly enjoyed our time here.

Let’s dive into our hotel review of the Orange Hotel Guangzhou Xihua Road Branch.

Pro Tip: We booked our two-night stay at the Orange Hotel Xihua Road through Trip.com, which offered a best rate guarantee!

Orange Hotel Guangzhou Xihua Road

Once we stepped in, we all fell in love to the cozy chain hotel. The hotel appears to be newly renovated, with everything stylish and fresh. The Orange Hotel maintains a consistent decor with an orange theme throughout.

The lobby, and indeed the entire hotel, was filled with a refreshing citrus scent. As always, you can get fresh mandarin oranges at the front desk. They are incredibly sweet, and I truly love them.

Orange Hotel Guangzhou - Lobby Waiting Area

Check-in at the front desk was extremely quick, and the staff was remarkably enthusiastic.

They proactively recommended some excellent local eateries and were very responsive to any questions we had. A young lady even added me on WeChat and sent me a guide to nearby restaurants. She answered all my questions!

Orange Hotel Xihua Road Branch - Complimentary Drink

Enjoy complimentary fruit tea and coffee daily in the lobby.

Room Check-in: When we arrived in the morning, our room was not ready yet. The official check-in time was 4 PM, which is quite late for a standard hotel. So, we left our luggage and went food hunting on Xihua Road.

If you’re curious about what to eat there, feel free to check out our Guangzhou Xihua Food Guide.

The Room

Orange Hotel Guangzhou XiHua Road - Room View

When we returned after lunch, our room was ready earlier than expected, despite the designated check-in time. We were able to get into our room early and take a much-needed rest.

We booked our two-night stay at the Orange Hotel Xihua Road through Trip.com, which offered a best rate guarantee. This time we chose to stay in a family room with one double bed and one super single bed.

Orange Hotel Guangzhou XiHua Road - Entrance

The room size was just right, and our room was equipped with everything we needed for our stay.

The room was clean and tidy, and with fewer rooms per floor, it remained relatively quiet. Housekeeping came in daily, ensuring that our room was always sparkling clean when we returned each day.

Pro Tips: While chatting with the front desk, we learned that there is only one family room on each floor, making availability quite limited. If you are looking for a room that accommodates three guests, we recommend reserving it as soon as possible, as they tend to book up quickly.

Check for room availability for Orange Hotel Guangzhou Xihua Road

Orange Hotel Guangzhou XiHua Road - Room Amenities

Room amenities included a kettle for tea and coffee, a mini refrigerator, a flat-screen television, and an in-room safe. It was exactly as advertised.

We also received complimentary bottles of water, which were replaced daily.

Orange Hotel Guangzhou XiHua Road - Bathroom

The bathroom with wet and dry separation. A special feature of the Orange Hotel is that all toiletries, including soap, toothpaste, and shower gel, are themed in orange.

Hotel Facilities

Orange Hotel Guangzhou XiHua Road - Laundry Room

There’s a free laundry room and dryer available for guests which is a great plus.

You can even store your luggage for free for a while after check-out, which was a huge help. They also hold your parcels before your arrival; we ordered some items from Taobao and picked them up when we got there.

Additionally, they have a robot available for food delivery. Super convenient for my supper delivery!

The gym room is available, but it is limited to only treadmill machines.

Excellent Location For Food Lover

Orange Hotel Guangzhou XiHua Road - Excellent Location

For food lovers, Orange Hotel Guangzhou Xihua Road is an absolutely fantastic choice for experiencing traditional Old Xiguan cuisine. The location is superb, situated right on the food street. We indulged in Cantonese favorites such as rice noodles, pan-fried dumplings, congee, and beef offal, savoring every bite during our stay in Guangzhou.

Read More: Guangzhou XiHua Road Food Guide

While the street outside the hotel can be a bit noisy, stepping inside brings a peaceful and calm atmosphere.

Overall: Orange Hotel Guangzhou XiHua Road Review

Overall, Orange Hotel Guangzhou Xihua Road is a fantastic find. We particularly loved its excellent location, as it is extremely convenient. It’s perfect for anyone wanting to experience authentic life in Guangzhou. All the recommended restaurants from Xiaohongshu are nearby, and the hotel is close to many attractions, making it easy to get around.

Check for room availability and best rate: Orange Hotel Guangzhou Xihua Road

Lastly, this Orange Hotel Guangzhou Xihua Road Hotel Review is part of our travel journey that includes Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Continue reading for more travel stories!

Travelling to Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou, be sure to check out our travel blog below:

MinJi Claypot Rice: Legendary Guangzhou Bao Zai Fan