Qingping Restaurant, a renowned establishment with a history spanning over half a century, reopened its doors in early February 2024, grabbing the attention of numerous food enthusiasts.

Established in 1964 under the name "Xiongxin Restaurant," Qingping Restaurant initially operated on Qingping Road in the Liwan District of Guangzhou. Its signature dish, "Qingping Chicken," has gained widespread acclaim, becoming a culinary emblem of Guangzhou.

Qingping Restaurant reopened at Zhongshan Seventh Road.

Qingping Chicken opened numerous branches at its peak

The story of Qingping Restaurant mirrors the changes in Guangzhou's culinary culture, particularly the creation and inheritance of "Qingping Chicken," which has become a legend.

In 1964, Qingping Restaurant opened its doors as "Xiongxin Restaurant" on the bustling Qingping Road. Founded by individuals passionate about food and committed to quality, the restaurant gradually built a strong local reputation. In 1981, Qingping Restaurant successfully created "Qingping Chicken," leaving a significant mark on Guangzhou's culinary scene. This dish, with its unique taste and preparation method, quickly garnered the love and recognition of food enthusiasts.

Surprisingly, the opening of branch restaurants did not dilute customer traffic; instead, each outlet flourished. Customers were willing to wait in long queues for the delectable taste of Qingping Chicken.

The legendary status of Qingping Chicken is attributed to its unique preparation method. At that time, the manager of Qingping Restaurant, Shao Gan, and chef Wang Yuan, innovatively used a variety of medicinal herbs, seafood spices, and precious ingredients to simmer a white brine.

This brine replaced ordinary water for soaking the chicken, while frozen aged chicken broth replaced cold water. The chicken absorbed the original broth during the "crossing the cold river" period, preserving its freshness and original flavor, ultimately creating this dish known for its smooth texture and flavorful meat, even down to the bones.

In the 1990s, Qingping Chicken's reputation soared, winning the "Golden Tripod Award" and the title of "Guangdong's Top Ten Famous Chickens" awarded by the Ministry of Commerce, becoming a benchmark for dining in Guangzhou and the Lingnan region.

Subsequently, Qingping Restaurant experienced rapid growth, acquiring "Yinlong Restaurant," known as one of the "Twelve Famous Restaurants in the Province and Hong Kong" at the time, and opening a new branch on Baohua Road.

Unfortunately, in the early 21st century, due to various reasons, including intensified market competition and internal management issues, Qingping Restaurant gradually declined. In 2002, Qingping Restaurant announced its closure.

Customer reviews generally positive after transforming

The reopened Qingping Restaurant, located in the 1906 Science and Technology Park of Liwan District, has sparked a blend of old and new trends. Although it has been relocated from Qingping Road to Zhongshan Seventh Road, it still attracts considerable attention from customers, especially loyal patrons.

Recently, reporters observed that the design of the new restaurant both adheres to the traditional style of Qingping Restaurant and incorporates modern and luxurious designs with Lingnan characteristics. During lunchtime, there was a long queue outside the restaurant, with eighty to ninety percent of customers being elderly locals.

Through conversations with customers, it became evident that the evaluation of "Qingping Chicken" was generally positive. Despite some minor flaws, it still lives up to its reputation as the "best chicken in Guangzhou."

The new dishes introduced by the restaurant, such as "Pan-Fried Yellow Croaker (香煎黄花鱼)," "Stir-Fried Handmade Vegetable Hearts (生炒手工靓菜心)," and "Snowflake Beef Not Worth Exchanging for Gold (金不换啫啫雪花牛肉)," have also received high praise from customers.

"The newly opened Qingping Restaurant connects the past with the present, preserving traditional flavors while innovatively meeting customer taste preferences," said Mr. Wang, a local resident dining at the restaurant.

"The presentation of old Qingping Chicken was like art"

Ms. Huang, who has lived in Liwan District for many years, has a special affection for Qingping Chicken. She used to visit Qingping Restaurant every week to savor Qingping Chicken. "On one side, there was a bustling market, on the other, a busy kitchen, and long queues outside the restaurant. Qingping Chicken back then was the delicious memory in every Guangzhou resident's heart," Ms. Huang said.

Upon hearing about Qingping Restaurant's reopening in the 1906 Science and Technology Park, Ms. Huang's son-in-law took her to taste the new Qingping Chicken.

After tasting it, Ms. Huang couldn't help but feel emotional, "The taste still retains some traces of the past, but honestly, there's a slight difference compared to the taste in previous years; this one feels like it's lacking something."

Ms. Huang specifically mentioned the cutting technique and presentation of Qingping Chicken, "The old Qingping Chicken was meticulously sliced, and the presentation was like a piece of art. The chicken lay on the plate, with scallions forming an arch underneath, making the whole chicken look like it was flying. The current Qingping Chicken, although still delicious, has a more casual presentation, with scallions simply placed underneath without the same sense of ceremony."

However, Ms. Huang found some surprises in the new restaurant's ginger sauce, "The taste of the ginger sauce is quite accurate, similar to before, which made me quite satisfied."

Despite the differences between the new Qingping Restaurant and the old one in Ms. Huang's memory, this family gathering was not just about tasting delicious food; it was also a reflection and inheritance of emotions. "Although the environment has changed, these emotions and memories will never change," Ms. Huang said.

Some residents mentioned that they used to assist their fathers in supporting the old Qingping Restaurant. Upon hearing the news, some netizens expressed a strong desire to try it out, while others who recently visited stated that the taste was good and the business was booming.

Address:

Qingping Restaurant (清平饭店)

2nd Floor, Yangtao Technology Plaza, 333 Zhongshan Seventh Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou (广州市荔湾区中山七路333号杨韬科技广场一栋2楼)