|
|
| Tourist
Guides for China |
Foshan Tourist Guide (March
2010)
|
Fast Food |
|
Related
Pages:
• Restaurants
- Introduction
• Western
Restaurants
• Chinese
Restaurants
• Vegetarian
Restaurants
• Fast Food - This Page
• Late
Night Eats and Drinks
• Trendy
Cafes, beer gardens and juice bars
Introduction:
This page is dedicated to Fast Food as we know it in
the West, and as can be found in modern Foshan today.
We will begin by mentioning all the International chains,
and include places like Pizza Hut and Star Buck's. Further
down the page we look at acceptable Chinese alternatives...
Western Fast Food:
You will find many of these establishments in 'Select
neighbourhoods' such as Bai Hua Plaza and near Dong
Jian Century Plaza. They are higher class, convivial,
and very enjoyable. I will list all we know about.
MacDonald's
Foshan has a MacDonald's on virtually every major street
corner, or within every large modern Plaza. They are
everywhere! They have about 50% of the Western Fast
Food market share, feature Western toilets as standard,
and virtually all have kiddies play areas, and are open
24/7.
Standards are pretty identical to their Western counterparts,
and the food served is also what you expect. There are
local variations to suit the Chinese palate, but these
mainly relate to extra menu items rather than their
stalwart burgers such as Big Mac. Connoisseurs of MacDonald's
will notice a difference between those served in USA,
UK, and China - which is only to be expected from a
Global Company. I actually prefer the Chinese ones!
Let's look at the main features and answer your immediate
questions:
• The main menu as is in the West.
• Local specialties are advertised as 'Promotions'.
These may change every 6-weeks or so.
• There is a floor Supervisor who guides you to
the counter, and to your seat.
• Most of the staff speak enough English to understand
you.
• They will have a full counter menu in both English
and Chinese - so all you need to do is point at what
you want to order - and it is so.
• Table service includes removing your leftovers
and putting them in the bin - you leave the finished
trays on the table.
• They have typical washrooms with segregated
Western toilets for men and women, although the wash
bowls outside the doors are communal.
• Virtually all feature a small kiddies play area
- although after initial enthusiasm, established stores
find Chinese do not use these as much as their Western
counterparts.
• A great many are open 24/7 - even is small towns
and out of the way places.
• Even in the most obscure locations; there will
be one fluent English speaker on duty at any time of
day or night.
• A Big Mac 'Meal Deal' currently costs around
Y18 (Big Mac, fries, and a Coke Cola). You can alter
the size of fries, change to coffee or mango juice immediately,
and perhaps a very small difference in price.
Their name in Cantonese is said: 'Mac Donal d'Zhee'.
Opinion:
Quality of service is far higher than in UK. Very good
value for money.
KFC
This listing is not quite identical to MacDonald's above
- but very close:
They are almost everywhere! They have about 40% of the
Western Fast Food market share, feature Western toilets
as standard in their refurbished and new outlets, but
are phasing-out kiddies play areas.
Standards are pretty identical to their Western counterparts,
and the food served is also what you expect. There are
local variations to suit the Chinese palate, but these
mainly relate to extra menu items. Their chicken burgers
are excellent and come in 'Zinger' and plain versions.
Restaurants feature a lot of chicken: BBQ' d and battered.
They do buckets, and the cola is provided by Chinese
Pepsi Cola. Connoisseurs of Kentucky Fried Chicken will
notice a difference between those served in USA, UK,
and China - which is only to be expected from a Global
Company.
Their name in Cantonese is said: 'han duk gay, and Cantonese
will usually say 'Kentucky', not KF C.
Let's look at the main features and answer your immediate
questions:
• The main menu as is in the West.
• Local specialties are advertised as 'Promotions'.
These may change every 6-weeks or so.
• There is a floor Supervisor who guides you to
the counter, and to your seat.
• Most of the staff speak enough English to understand
you.
• They will have a full counter menu in both English
and Chinese - so all you need to do is point at what
you want to order - and it is so.
• Table service includes removing your leftovers
and putting them in the bin - you leave the finished
trays on the table.
• They have typical communal washbasins.
• Only recently refurbished stores will feature
segregated Western toilets for men and women.
• The kiddies play areas are being replaced by
expanded Western toilet facilities - Cantonese children
are not into these like their foreign peers are.
• Most close at 11pm, but some at 10pm - check
yourself, as opening times are advertised near the doors
• A great many are open 24/7 - even is small towns
and out of the way places.
• Even in the most obscure locations; there will
be one fluent English speaker on duty at any time of
day or night.
• A 'Chicken Burger Meal Deal' currently costs
around Y18 (Burger, fries, and a Pepsi Cola). You can
alter the size of fries, change to coffee or mango juice
immediately, and perhaps a very small difference in
price.
All KFC now offer delivery service, as evidenced by
special bicycles parked outside the main doors in a
prominent position. I have not personally tried this,
but believe it is a free service within the local catchment
area.
Opinion:
Quality of service is far higher than in UK. Very good
value for money.
Comment:
You may be wondering where the competition is: Wendy's,
Wimpy, Burger King ... etc.
Well the simple answer is that there really isn't any,
and the only people trying to break this monopoly are
Jollibee from The Philippines:
Jolli Bee
Jollybee originated in Manila and was popular with locals
- offering a Filipino take on the foods served by Global
Giants. This was fine until they had more than a dozen
outlets - whereupon MacDonald's in particular almost
put them out of business. They rose to the challenge
and restructured - bringing in an American Guru to help.
Their story is listed in the series Documentary, CCTV.
Like MacDonald's and KFC, Jollibee offer's the same
high standards of food and service at affordable prices.
Unlike these Global Goliaths, they offer a different
service which is far more personal and customer orientated.
Let's take a closer look:
Upon entering you will find the atmosphere to be more
relaxed. You go to the counter and order; and staff
offer the same level of International English, supported
by a counter menu of all products. Having ordered and
paid - you are then escorted to your table, and the
food is brought to you. I much prefer this to hanging
around the counter waiting for my order to appear. Jollibee
also offer different types of sweets, and also dishes
not found in MacDonald's or KFC. Watch out for this
chain in a few years time - they are here to stay!
Our information is that Jollibee will open in Foshan
during 2010. Currently they are in Guangzhou (2) and
Shenzhen (2), plus Shanghai and Beijing. The waiting
is worth it - even if just to have any
option other than go to MacDonald's. KFC is not a direct
competitor.
Pizza Hut
I am not a great fan of Pizza Hut, and in UK much preferred
most of their rivals - Pizza Express from Italy being
very mentionable. However, in China you only have Pizza
Hut = another monopoly! But I do recommend Pizza Hut
- simply because they have bothered to address the Chinese
market in providing outlets in all major cities. They
have about 5% of the Western Fast Food market share
in Foshan.
There are 5 or 6 Pizza Hut in Foshan, the most notable
being located at: Bai Hua, Dong Jian, and Nanhai Gui
Cheung. Their menu is exactly what you would expect
+ local versions for Cantonese palate. All have full
Western toilet facilities and offer a salad bar. The
staff speak very good English, and you may have to wait
for a table occasionally - as they are that popular.
Service is very good, and I find it very hard to knock
what they are doing in Foshan ... given there is no
competition.
Martino's
To be honest about this, if you want a proper Western
Pizza, then give Martino's a call on
(0086) 0757 8328 5461and they will deliver to your door
- or you can advance order (They do take along time
to prepare because they make the base by hand and then
add only fresh ingredients). I allow 1-hour, and usually
wait only 30 or 40 minutes. But their "Martino's
Pizza" is totally excellent!
Subway
Subway have made it to Foshan, and you can find their
first outlet South of the Bai Hua City Centre along
Zumiao Road, and across the road - maybe 100 yards.
Again they serve standard sandwiches etc, and ones of
local persuasion. I admire them for taking on the Chinese
market, where 'salad' is not normal cuisine. Subway
have a great future in China, and whilst their food
may not be to my personal taste - they are here and
doing it, so I wish them very well.
If you like Subway, then this is a great option for
you personally. Again - standards are very Western and
they are doing what they do extremely well. This is
also the only place in Foshan where you will find a
baguette made from wheat flour - as opposed to the usual
local versions made from quick drying concrete. Enjoy!
Star Buck's
This International chain has established a good presence
in Foshan, and has a similar market share and location
with Pizza Hut. All outlets offer wi-fi internet and
sheltered outdoor smoking as standard.
It remains a tad difficult to get away from the hard-sell,
which is usually any coffee made from any bean or mix,
from anywhere in the world (Malaysia normally excluded).
Therefore a standard plastic beaker of coffee comes
in at around Y40 RMB. It tastes just like Nescafe actually,
and the hype surrounding is totally over the top. If
you are a regular patron, then you will get table service
- otherwise you will need to battle it out on your own
and without any assistance.
Every Star Buck's does a 'Coffee of the Day' for Y18
RMB. They will not sell you this unless you ask for
it, and it is not on their menu or notice boards. This
is a basic and cheap coffee, and fine by me. If you
ask for this 'Latte', (With milk), then you will receive
a plastic beaker of black coffee. I know = not quite
what you were expecting. Star Buck's likes their patrons
to do all the work, so you have to locate the place
they have hidden the sugars and implements ... and there
you will also find coffee pots labeled in Chinese only,
full of: Milk, semi-skimmed milk, and cream (?).
UBC
UBC is a Western style chain very popular in China.
Foshan has several outlets, most notably near Renmin
Road junction with Fen Jian Zhong Lu. Everything sold
is as you would expect, and service is very good. Menus
have pictures of every dish to help your selection,
prices are reasonable, and there is a suitable Chinese
menu also.
Chinese Fast Food
However, we are not done yet, as sometimes you may just
get the munchies and need some 'boy food' quickly. At
4am your only Western answer is the 24 hour MacDonald's,
but China also has its own native alternatives...
Xi'an "Ham-bo-Bah's"
Now these things are the Chinese equivalent of 'Boy
Food.
"Daytime"
Take a taxi to "Gui Wah Fo Chong", which is
across the road from Dong Jian Century Plaza - or cross
the footbridge if you are outside KFC. Head towards
Foshan TV and Radio tower (Eiffel Tower with a big ball
in it) and crossing a small road you will encounter
a small restaurant area set back from the road. Nearest
the other end of this recessed block is a doorway to
another Xi'an restaurant; and underneath is a hole in
the wall shop that sells the best kebabs in modern Foshan.
The 'Donkey Kebabs' are by far the best on offer, and
come from packaged meat from the fridge. Y5, or half
a quid. They will normally add fresh coriander leaves
(Very pungent) and chilli sauce. Open all day long,
but closes at 9.30pm sharp; hence you may need to visit
the Moslem versions late at night.
Nighttime - 24/7
For great food at very sensible prices - at any time
of the day or night - then you need to go to one of
the numerous Moslem restaurants. These places are run
by Chinese families from Qing Hai or Xin Jiang Provinces,
and they are devout Moslems. There are many of these
small vendors scattered around selling versions of their
local cuisine, mostly identified by their custom of
wearing small white hats. They are open 24/7/365, and
do delivery service. However, most of them will provide
a semi-leavened bread because you are a 'Foreigner',
whilst the best are served inside unleavened bread (No
yeast added, so the dough doesn't rise when cooked).
I recommend :
1. Opposite Martino's on Fu't Wha Lo
(Fu Hua Lu) is an excellent establishment that offers
these hamburgers and a full halal menu. What I like
about this place is that there are pictures of every
dish on their main menu inside on the walls. As usual
in these places they pride themselves on making noodles
by hand, as is witnessed in their shop display window.
Their unleavened Chinese Burgers are excellent; although
the standard hereabouts is also very high. So why do
I choose this place you may wonder? Well, near the middle
of their inside wall is a picture of a platter of minced
meat. I ordered this one evening out of curiosity, and
you know - it was doner meat! Like from a doner kebab
in UK. Totally excellent! Now I never managed to get
them to put it into their burgers, so ended up doing
it the roundabout way myself at home. This is the nearest
you will ever get to a British doner kebab in China
... the taste, the spice - spot on! China doesn't do
either pitta bread nor salad either, so DIY rules.
2. Between Dong Jian and Ho Sum Lao
is another one of these places. They are very busy.
I guess their food is on a par, but I did build up a
rapport with the one above better over my 5-years living
in Foshan + it was nearer to my apartment. However,
if you are hungry and passing by at 4am, then I do recommend
this establishment for hungry boys.
Note:
Both the above 'Burgers' should cost Y5 RMB each, with
no extra charge for take-away or delivery. You will
need to ask for, or add spices and chilli sauce yourself.
3. Mama's Dim Sum Place. This is set
on the corner of Fu't Wha Lo (Fu Hua Lu) and Moi Gui
Zhong lo (Mai Gui Zhong Lu). I have the greatest respect
for the owner and her son, who run this smallest establishment
between them. It is not quite open 24 hours, but very
close. They sell what I know to be "Gao d'Zhi"
, which are moon shaped wraps about 2 inches long, steamed
- although she will do a fried version also. For Y3
RMB I can take away or eat in a dozen of these, with
optional and very tasty Sesame seed dip.
Western Alternatives:
Pizza
Foshan also has some excellent Pizza delivery services;
replicas of UK Domino's - which also come and go frequently.
Just pick up a flier and settle for one that suits you
best.
Martino's by contrast offers the best Pizza in town,
does free delivery service, and remembers who you are
and what you order. Excellent!
There are a few traders who offer a Chinese takeaway
service, and I note them because they have a good selection
of food that foreigners will enjoy. They are based in
what look like pizza takeaway shops, but they don't
sell pizza. To identify them simply ask if they sell
'fries'. If they do, then they will also offer other
dishes such as boneless chicken in breadcrumbs, and
other meat and BBQ delights. They have a habit of drenching
all food in tomatoe ketchup, so you may want to specify
your order is without this condiment?
I will wrap up this page here, and welcome your input
to expand this page to accommodate all visitors advice
about Fast Food in Foshan
|
|
|
This information is as supplied by China Expats and
our friends, as dated 10th July 2010, and/or other reliable
sources. Please check this information yourself as it
may alter without notice, and whilst we try our best
to ensure it is correct, please do not hold us responsible
for any errors - this is intended as a simple guide
only |
|
| Search
this Website |
|
|
| Our
Friends |
Down
The Road.org
How We Traded Our Ordinary Lives For a Global Bicycle Touring Adventure
See
Us in China |
Excellent
& Free Online Chinese Language Portal
Thousands of free print-friendly Chinese reference sheets,
tests and revision aids.
Easy Learning format &
Listen to Spoken Words |
 |
| Foshan Maps |
 |
|
