If you had to name Shenzhen's most popular "national dishes" in recent years, sauerkraut fish and grilled fish would definitely make the list — they've spread from street shops to shopping malls, tangy and appetising with great value for money, perfect for a few friends to share. This article focuses on the two most popular brands in Shenzhen, all with real locations, and shows you how to pick the nearest one by border checkpoint district.
🐟 Tai Er Sauerkraut Fish — Old Crock Sauerkraut + Silky Sea Bass
Tai Er Sauerkraut Fish is a brand under the Jiumaojiu Group, specialising in "old crock sauerkraut fish": the sauerkraut is house-fermented in traditional crocks, tangy and full of flavour, paired with silky boneless sea bass slices, in a sour, spicy, aromatic broth that's perfect for pouring over rice. The restaurant also offers free self-service roselle tea, service is simple and direct, and food comes out fast — great for travellers from Hong Kong on a quick trip to Shenzhen.
The most convenient branch is Luohu Kingglory Plaza branch: located on 6/F, Kingglory Plaza, 2028 Renmin South Road, near Guomao Station on the metro, a short walk from Luohu Checkpoint — and after eating you can shop around Kingglory Plaza and Guomao. Average spend is around ¥90–120 per person; a fish plus two side dishes is already very filling. Tai Er has more than one branch in Shenzhen, so if you want one near you, search "太二酸菜魚" on Amap or Dianping and it will list all branches citywide.
🔥 Tanyu — The Charcoal Grilled Fish Specialist Born in Shenzhen
Tanyu is a grilled fish brand that opened its first store in Shenzhen in 2013, and has now grown to over a hundred branches nationwide — a true "Shenzhen original" success story. It specialises in charcoal grilled fish: the fish is grilled until the skin is lightly charred before being served, then kept bubbling in broth at the table. There are many flavour options, with the signature fresh green pepper numbing grilled fish, plus mala and garlic flavours, all popular — you can pick according to your spice tolerance.
For travellers, we recommend the Nanshan Coastal City branch: located at Coastal City Shopping Centre, 33 Wenxin 5th Road (Houhai area), near Houhai Station on the metro, very convenient from Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint. Afterwards you can shop around Coastal City and Shenzhen Bay MixC. Average spend is around ¥100–150 per person.
🐠 Yuyuyu Sauerkraut Fish New Sichuan Cuisine — Beyond Sauerkraut Fish, There's Also Old Crock Sauerkraut
If you've already tried Tai Er and Tanyu, give Yuyuyu Sauerkraut Fish New Sichuan Cuisine a go. This brand takes a "new Sichuan cuisine" approach: the signature sauerkraut fish series is around ¥108, with old crock sauerkraut at around ¥128 and a green peppercorn series. The broth is tangy and aromatic, and the spice levels are clearly layered, so even those who can't handle much heat can enjoy it. The interior skews young and trendy, mostly located inside shopping malls, and you can order by scanning a QR code with your phone.
The most convenient branch is the one around Futian One Avenue: One Avenue is near Convention & Exhibition Center Station, reachable from Futian Checkpoint by taking Line 10 and transferring to Line 1/4. The mall itself is huge, so you can shop after eating.
- Area: Futian District, around Convention & Exhibition Center (One Avenue)
- Average spend: around ¥100–150 per person
- Signature dishes: sauerkraut fish (around ¥108), old crock sauerkraut (around ¥128), green peppercorn series
- Transport: Convention & Exhibition Center Station on metro Lines 1/4, direct mall access
Sauerkraut Fish or Grilled Fish? Three Key Differences
- Method: Sauerkraut fish is "boiled" — fish slices are poached in sauerkraut broth; grilled fish is "grilled first, then simmered" — the fish is grilled until the skin is lightly charred, then served in broth and kept bubbling at the table.
- Flavour: Sauerkraut fish is tangy, spicy and appetising, and the broth is great over rice; grilled fish has a heavier flavour with more oil, usually paired with beer or cold drinks.
- Bill: A large pot of sauerkraut fish starts at around ¥90–130, enough for 2–3 people; grilled fish is priced by type and size of fish, usually ¥120–200 each, and you add broth and poach extra ingredients at the end.
Simply put: want something lighter and good over rice → sauerkraut fish; want bold flavours and a group drinking session → grilled fish.
💰 The Three at a Glance (Checkpoint District × Metro × Average Spend)
- Tai Er Sauerkraut Fish (Luohu Kingglory Plaza, Guomao Station on Line 1) — around ¥90–120 per person
- Tanyu Charcoal Grilled Fish (Nanshan Coastal City, Houhai Station on Lines 2/11) — around ¥100–150 per person
- Yuyuyu Sauerkraut Fish New Sichuan Cuisine (Futian One Avenue, Convention & Exhibition Center Station on Lines 1/4) — around ¥100–150 per person
Each of the three checkpoints has one that's most convenient: Luohu → Tai Er, Futian → Yuyuyu, Shenzhen Bay → Tanyu.
By Checkpoint District: Which Is Most Convenient?
- Luohu Checkpoint: Pick the Kingglory Plaza area (Guomao Station). A 10-minute walk after crossing the border; afterwards you can visit Dongmen Old Street and MixC, all in the same district
- Futian Checkpoint: Pick malls around Convention & Exhibition Center Station and Shopping Park Station (e.g. the COCO Park area). Futian has the highest density of malls — basically every large mall has a sauerkraut fish or grilled fish specialist, so just search the brand name on Amap to find the nearest one
- Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint: Pick Nanshan Coastal City (Houhai Station), Shenzhen Bay MixC or Sea World area; afterwards stroll back along the waterfront to Shenzhen Bay Park — very pleasant
🍚 Fish-Eating Tips (For Travellers Heading to Shenzhen)
- Spice level: Both restaurants let you choose your spice level; if you don't eat spicy food, ask for "no spice / mildly spicy". The sauerkraut fish broth itself is already a little tangy and spicy, very appetising
- Add-ons: Both sauerkraut fish and grilled fish let you add ingredients — sweet potato noodles, celtuce and enoki mushrooms are popular choices; for grilled fish, add broth halfway through and poach the extras
- Over rice: Pouring sauerkraut fish broth over rice is a hidden way to eat it — remember to save some broth
- Queues: Both are popular restaurants, and weekend dinner queues are common; using Meituan or Dianping to take a number in advance can save you a lot of time
- How many people? A large pot of sauerkraut fish is a big portion — 2–3 people ordering one fish plus two or three side dishes is enough; for 4 or more, order a large portion or add more dishes
- Payment: Most stores accept WeChat Pay / Alipay, so set up mainland payment in advance and you won't need cash
Transport: How to Get There from the Three Checkpoints
- Luohu Checkpoint: Walk to Shenzhen Metro Luohu Station, take Line 1 one stop to Guomao Station — Kingglory Plaza is right above the station
- Futian Checkpoint: Board Line 4 at Futian Checkpoint Station, get off at Convention & Exhibition Center Station, and walk to the nearby malls
- Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint: After crossing, transfer towards Nanshan and get off at Houhai Station for Coastal City; or take a taxi, about 15–20 minutes
FAQ
What's the difference between sauerkraut fish and grilled fish?
Sauerkraut fish is boiled in broth — the broth is tangy and spicy, great over rice; grilled fish is grilled first then simmered, with lightly charred skin and broth kept bubbling at the table, giving a heavier flavour.
Are there non-spicy options?
Yes, both restaurants let you choose mildly spicy or not spicy; if you're worried about heat, avoid the mala broth base.
How much per person?
Tai Er is around ¥90–120, Tanyu around ¥100–150, depending on how many side dishes you add.
Do I need to book?
Not on weekdays, but for weekend dinner we recommend taking a number via the app first.
Is it suitable for kids?
Yes, order the non-spicy version; the fish is boneless sea bass slices, safer than regular fish.
Which of the three is cheapest?
Tai Er (¥90–120) is slightly cheaper; Yuyuyu and Tanyu are similar (¥100–150), depending on how many side dishes you add.
What's the difference between Yuyuyu and Tai Er?
Tai Er focuses on old crock sauerkraut fish with a concentrated menu; Yuyuyu is "new Sichuan cuisine", offering not just sauerkraut fish but also old crock sauerkraut, a green peppercorn series and Sichuan-style small dishes — more choice.
Can I take it back to Hong Kong?
You can get it packed, but soup-based dishes can't be brought across the border; we suggest eating in Shenzhen before returning, and not bringing cooked food across the border.
📍 Branch Quick Reference (Shenzhen, Official Brand Store Information)
- Tai Er Sauerkraut Fish: Multiple branches in Shenzhen; the most convenient is the Luohu Kingglory Plaza branch (6/F, Kingglory Plaza, 2028 Renmin South Road, Guomao Station on metro Line 1, closest walk from Luohu Checkpoint); average spend around ¥90–120. The signature is old crock sauerkraut fish, plus green peppercorn sauerkraut fish, stir-fried pork and other Sichuan dishes; the official website has a full store list you can search by district.
- Tanyu: Over 10 branches in Shenzhen, some open 24 hours. Coastal City branch (Shop 217, 2/F, Coastal City Shopping Centre, 33 Wenxin 5th Road, Nanshan District, Houhai Station on metro Lines 2/11, most convenient from Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint); Futian Galaxy SOHO Shopping Park branch (Fuhua 3rd Road, 3/F, Shop 304 L3C); Excellence INTOWN branch (Futian); Bao'an Shajing Rainbow branch, etc. Average spend around ¥100–150; both mala grilled fish and sauerkraut fish lines are available, and grilled fish can be done "one fish, two flavours".
- Yuyuyu Sauerkraut Fish New Sichuan Cuisine: Futian One Avenue (Convention & Exhibition Center Station on metro Lines 1/4), sauerkraut fish from around ¥108; besides sauerkraut fish there's also an old crock sauerkraut series and Sichuan-style stir-fries, average spend around ¥100–150; One Avenue also has trendy brands like MUSINSA, so you can shop after eating.
A reminder: some Tanyu branches are open 24 hours (check the store's live listing on Dianping); Tai Er, Tanyu and Yuyuyu have their longest queues at lunch from 12:00–13:30 on weekdays, so take a number via the mini-program first and go shopping. Before paying, scan the QR code at the counter — WeChat Pay / Alipay often have spend-and-save coupons; for larger groups, set meals are usually better value.
💬 Comments
Loading…