By Joanne Chu (Cityweekend)
Updated: 2007-03-30 09:48

Cantonese people are known in the world for their courage to eat new weird things. Yet ordinary cantonese snacks and dishes are also able to catch gourmets' stomach.

1 Chez Lily Restaurant
Located in the New World Mayfair Hotel, this magnificent vintage- style dim sum restaurant contrasts contemporary murals of summer flowers with upscale European-style outfits and tableware so delicate you'll be afraid to break it. Specials include grilled pork neck, shrimp dumplings and steamed barbecue pork buns.

Location: 1525 Dingxi Lu, Near Yuyuan Lu
Tel: 021-62528058/64159905
 
2 Le Ting
Though not exclusively a Cantonese restaurant, Le Ting serves fantastic dim sum such as shrimp dumplings, glutinous rice wrapped in lily leaves and the quintessential fried rice. Located inside a beautiful renovated villa in the French Concession and furnished with delicate paintings and antique furniture, the environment will time warp you back to 1930s Old Shanghai.

Location: 878 Julu Lu, near Changshu Lu, Metro Line 1 Changshu Lu Station
Tel: 021-62475557

3 Royal China
Were it not for the east-meets-west decor (a wine case on one side, a traditional tea table on the other), you'd feel as if you were dining in an authentic Hong Kong teahouse. The staff will speak to you in Cantonese, and dim sum favorites include a lip-smacking honey roasted ribs (mi zhi shao pai gu) and lobster noodles.

Location: 8/F, 1618 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Changde Lu
Tel: 021-62883063

4 Zen Zen
The dim sum at this modern, fusion-style eatery incorporates flavors from Southeast Asia. Don't miss the boneless chicken wing stuffed with sticky rice. Only one restaurant in Hong Kong ("Farmhouse") serves this dish, so it's an absolute must-try. Other popular choices are the sweet and sour pomelo salad, fried Bangkok fish cake and mango-blended ice dessert.

Location: 4/F, Raffles Square, 268 Xizang Zhong Lu, near Hankou Lu, Metro Line 1 People's Square Station
Tel: 021-63404333