Huogongdian (Main Store)
When it comes to Changsha cuisine, the most frequently asked question by out-of-town friends is about 'Huogongdian'. After all, it is the most famous and often seen on TV. However, as a local of Changsha, I must say that my friends and I rarely go to Huogongdian to eat. Here are a few photos, though I don't remember which year they were taken. If you are new to Changsha, you can still visit Huogongdian to experience it.
Wenheyou Old Changsha Lobster Restaurant
Wenheyou Old Changsha Lobster Restaurant is the most famous and popular super internet-famous lobster restaurant in Changsha. There are two branches at Wuyi Square, one next to the Huachong Pool Bar Street on Renmin Road, and the other is the Hisense Plaza, which opened in 2018 and features an old Changsha style! Be sure to queue early for dim sum. Besides flavored shrimp, they also offer barbecue, fried foods, stir-fried dishes, and more. Average spending: around 150 yuan per person.
Yi Zhan Deng Restaurant
Yi Zhan Deng has three stores in Changsha. The one I visited is the Ant Workshop store. The environment is average, and there is usually a long queue during peak hours. However, because the serving speed is fast, the turnover rate of diners is also relatively quick. It is recommended to go early to avoid long queues. The restaurant is famous for its spicy dishes. Must-try dishes include loofah soup, duck web tendons, rice tofu, sour radish pork tripe, pickled cabbage tofu brain soup, and stir-fried field frog. You can try these dishes when you visit.
Tianbao Restaurant
A must-try at Tianbao is the Tianbao-flavored shrimp. It has the best color, aroma, and taste, especially with the lotus root strips inside that are very flavorful. After eating, mix the broth on the clear water surface and enjoy the shrimp with the same spicy and aromatic taste. The squid and corn kernels in the barbecue are even more tender and taste better. The green onion and king oyster mushrooms taste even better, especially the king oyster mushrooms which are crunchier when chewed.
Chef Fei's Spicy Stir-fried Pork
Chef Fei's Spicy Stir-fried Pork, which has been ranked first on the must-eat list for two consecutive years, is a dish you must try!
Chef Hou's Stir-fry Restaurant
Chef Hou's stir-fry restaurant seems to have two branches in Changsha. It mainly serves hot stir-fry dishes, which are considered a common dish in Hunan cuisine. However, it brings some novelty to the simplicity. Most importantly, the dishes are consistently good.
Mengzhong BBQ Restaurant
I once saw a saying: If you go to Changsha without checking in, it's like going to Beijing without checking in at Tiananmen. Initially, I was just curious and skeptical, but after trying it, I was amazed. I haven't had such delicious skewers in Guangzhou...
Liuyang Restaurant
If you're looking for a place with average ambiance, fresh dishes, good taste, fast service, and cheap prices, then this is the place for you! Ben Luobo has several branches in Changsha, and the one I frequent the most is the Guangji Bridge Mayuanwan branch. You can use navigation to find other branches. If you care about the presentation of the dishes, it's best not to go, because the presentation here is not very appealing, and some of the bowls even have chips. But that's the style of home-cooked dishes, focusing only on taste! Make sure to go early if you want to eat here, as there will definitely be a queue if you go late.
