Take My Advice! You Must Try the Sand Ginger Baked Crispy Grass Carp at This Zhongshan Eatery in Shenzhen COCO Park!
Today, I’m taking you to check out a popular Cantonese restaurant in the Futian District of Shenzhen—Tan Chu Zhongshan Heritage Cuisine (Futian COCO Park branch)!
If you want to experience authentic and refined Zhongshan local delicacies in Shenzhen, Tan Chu, which prides itself on "focusing on Zhongshan cuisine for 40 years," is a must-add to your personal food bucket list!
🌿 Restaurant Environment: Elegant New Chinese Style, An Oasis in the Busy City
The restaurant perfectly blends classic Chinese traditional elements with modern minimalist styles. The center of the hall features an exquisite water landscape with green potted plants; the sound of trickling water and the lush greenery make you feel relaxed the moment you sit down. Grand, soft paper-lantern-style chandeliers hang from the ceiling, paired with warm lighting and delicate hollowed-out screen partitions that organize the dining area beautifully.
The coolest part is the semi-open transparent kitchen design. You can see the chefs busily stir-frying over high heat, showcasing the fiery craftsmanship of "Jiejie Pots" (sizzling clay pots), which instantly elevates the dining atmosphere! Whether it’s a gathering with friends or a family banquet, it feels very high-quality.
🥢 A Feast for Both Eyes and Taste Buds: Signature Dishes Revealed
This time, my friends and I ordered a table full of classic and specialty dishes, and every single one was amazing:
1. 🍍 Pineapple Sweet and Sour Pork (Pineapple Feast Series)
This classic Cantonese dish looks fantastic! The golden, crispy pork is coated in a perfectly balanced sweet and sour glossy sauce, and the plate is specially garnished with freshly cut pineapple slices. It's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with the juices locked in just right—very appetizing!
2. 🕊️ Pigeon and Cured Meat Claypot Rice
Served in an exquisite wooden bucket, the aroma hits you as soon as it reaches the table! It features Zhongshan’s famous tender pigeon meat alongside fragrant Cantonese sausage and liver sausage spread over rice, garnished with vibrant green bok choy. The rice absorbs the essence of the oils from the pigeon and cured meats, resulting in a rich aroma and incredibly layered texture.
3. 🥣 Signature Winter Melon Soup (Whole Winter Melon Bowl)
This is definitely the "visual and nutritional highlight" of the table! A whole large winter melon with a carved serrated edge is used as the container, filled with a clear, bright broth brewed with thick shiitake mushrooms. It’s sweet, soothing for the throat, and refreshing—a perfect example of ancient Cantonese wellness style.
4. 🍲 Seafood and Crab Roe Tofu Pot
Served in a delicate red ceramic bowl, it has an enticing golden color. Silky smooth tofu cubes are soaked in a rich, creamy crab roe broth, and you can even find fresh shrimp and other seafood ingredients inside. A spoonful mixed with rice is a total "carb-killer"!
5. 🦑 Sizzling Fresh Squid Pot (Jiejie Squid)
It arrives at the table steaming hot! The hot clay pot quickly flash-fries onions, celery, and fresh squid rings, resulting in a rich sauce flavor and intense "wok hei" (breath of the wok). The squid is springy and crisp, making it super satisfying to eat.
6. 🥬 Stir-fried Vermicelli Pot / Dry-fried Vermicelli
This dish is fried to be dry and non-greasy. The vermicelli absorbs all the savory flavors of the ingredients, which include shredded cabbage, scrambled eggs, and dried shrimp. Every bite carries a slight charred fragrance, truly testing the chef's stir-frying skills!
7. 🐟 Sand Ginger Baked Crispy Grass Carp Slices (Must-Order ⭐️)
A hot clay pot dish full of Zhongshan character! It uses springy and crunchy Zhongshan crispy grass carp slices, baked at high temperature with special sand ginger, scallions, and garlic. It’s served piping hot with a bursting aroma of sand ginger; the fish is fresh, chewy, and deeply flavorful.
8. 🦪 Zhongshan Clam Meat Pancakes (Must-Order ⭐️)
This is a famous home-style dish from the Zhongshan water towns! Delicious clam meat is mixed with chives and minced meat, then pan-fried until golden and crispy. The exterior is fragrant and crunchy, while the inside retains the sweetness of the clam meat and the freshness of the chives. Dipping it in the special sweet and spicy sauce adds a whole other level of flavor!
9. 🌼 Chrysanthemum BBQ Pork (Char Siu)
This is a classic traditional specialty from Xiaolan Town, Zhongshan! The well-marbled pork is marinated and roasted using special techniques, finally coated in a sweet glaze and edible chrysanthemum petals (or chrysanthemum honey). It’s sweet but not greasy, with a light, elegant floral fragrance—a unique taste that carries the charm of Lingnan culture!
📍 Practical Restaurant Information
For those who want to visit, I’ve organized the info below:
Restaurant Name: Tan Chu Zhongshan Heritage Cuisine (Futian Starry World COCO Park Branch)
Address: Shop L3C-006A, Level 3, Phase 1, Futian Starry World COCO Park, No. 268 Fuhua 3rd Road, Futian District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province
Transportation: Take Shenzhen Metro Line 1 / Line 3 to Shopping Park Station, Exit C. It’s about a 2-minute walk.
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:00 – 21:30
Whether you are a loyal fan of traditional Cantonese cuisine or looking for a comfortable place for a gathering, Tan Chu COCO Park will definitely not disappoint! Hurry up and add it to your Shenzhen food list!