If you are in Guangzhou and like to try something memorable, can check out Youlian Restaurant. Youlian is popular with locals for their iconic Qingping chicken and chicken intestine.
Qingping chicken was created by masterchef 王源 in Guangzhou in the 1980s. Qingping chicken differs from traditional poached chicken in that instead of cooking the bird in plain water, masterchef 王源 used a superior clear stock of herbs and spices. In a way, it was like soya sauce chicken sans the soy sauces.
The then mayor of Guangzhou city tasted masterchef 王源's Qingping chicken - he was so mind blown that he proclaimed it the best chicken of Guangzhou 广州第一鸡.
Masterchef 王源 was the chicken chef at Qingping Restaurant, hence his creation was named Qingping chicken. It became the signature dish of Qingping Restaurant which closed in 2002.
(A new Qingping Restaurant reopened in 2024 and also serves Qingping chicken. Shall write a separate article in the future.)
Qingping Restaurant's very popular signature Qingping chicken dish is now found in a few restaurants in Guangzhou. Some of Qingping Restaurant's former staff went to work in Youlian Restaurant. (Masterchef 王源 himself had emigrated to USA.)
Many locals like the version of Qingping chicken served at Youlian Restaurant for its reputed authenticity.
Youlian is a welcoming comfortable space. Not grand but rich with hyperlocal vibe.
Guangzhou mayor's calligraphy 广州第一鸡 now proudly graces the wall of Youlian Restaurant.
Qingping chicken is served in large chunks with skin and bones intact, neat with no dressing sauce.
Layer of jellied fat under the smooth, supple skin.
The bones have some pink but none in the meat. To me this is the ideal doneness.
The texture of Qingping chicken is similar to typical good poached chicken - skin smooth crunchy, meat tender juicy. Where they differ, Qingping is poached in a savoury stock which infused a savoury salty flavour to the chicken's natural sweet taste.
A Chinese reviewer compared Qingping chicken with flirty older men 油膩男 - a cheesy sleazy senior man who is sophisticated, rich with experience, substance, and stories. It's depth of flavours tastes better when we take time to enjoy it 😅
Qingping chicken is eaten with an aromatic slightly spicy grated ginger and scallion relish.
Another signature at Youlian Restaurant is their 桂花紮 chicken intestine roll.
It is salted egg yolk stuffed in chicken intestine which is in turn rolled over with a wrap of sugar cured (candied) fatty pork.
Served sliced, it is a blend of sweet savoury umami flavours with mix of crunch, soft and tender textures.
Besides Qingping chicken and intestine roll, Youlian Restaurant has many more other dishes in the menu.
If you are a chicken dish lover visiting Guangzhou, Qingping chicken should be on your bucket list.
Restaurant name: Youlian 友联菜馆
Address 163 Shanmulan Rd, Liwan District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, 510130
Tel: +86 20 8187 6751
Hours: 10am - 10pm
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More things to eat in Guangdong
In Singapore, we can find something similar at Chu Huang Hong Kong Royal Concubine Chicken in People's Park Centre @ Chinatown MRT 厨皇香港贵妃鸡
and
Yuan Lang Chicken Master @ Stall #02-027 Chinatown Complex Food Centre 元朗鸡博士
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Written by Tony Boey on 9 May 2026
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