First Meal in Dalian: A Must-Visit Restaurant for Travelers

As Dalian is renowned in China for its sea urchins, the city is filled with seafood and sea urchin specialty restaurants. On the first day of my trip, I decided to visit a famous local eatery that came highly recommended for seafood lovers. If you enjoy seafood, this is definitely a place you should check out!

Before heading to Dalian, I researched the most popular and well-known spots. One of them was a local restaurant called 品海楼 (Pin Hai Lou), which has been listed on China's popular food review platform 大众点评 (Dazhong Dianping) as a 'Must-Eat' spot for seven consecutive years. With a mix of excitement and anticipation, I chose this place for my first meal in Dalian. Initially, I was intrigued by Korean blogs that listed it as one of the top three sea urchin dumpling spots in Dalian. Coincidentally, it was conveniently located near a tourist attraction I planned to visit, making it an ideal choice. This restaurant truly excels in taste, ambiance, and location—it's a gem!

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The restaurant's exterior is grand and eye-catching, resembling a charming European-style restaurant near a harbor. This is likely because it is located within the European-style buildings of the Fisherman's Wharf (渔人码头). Inside, there are even more delightful surprises, such as a recreated tram seating area that serves as a popular photo spot. The interior also features stunning chandeliers and a clean, modern dining space—everything about it was impressive.

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In terms of location, it's perfectly situated between two major tourist attractions: Tiger Beach Ocean Park (老虎滩海洋公园) and Fisherman's Wharf (渔人码头). This makes it a convenient stop for lunch or dinner without disrupting your travel itinerary.

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While the prices are on the higher side for Dalian, the quality of the food is undeniable. If I were to visit Dalian again or recommend a place to someone, this restaurant would definitely be on my list.

Here are the dishes I tried and would recommend 🥢:

✔ Sea Urchin Pan-Fried Dumplings (海胆锅贴)
These crispy dumplings are filled with rich sea urchin flavor. The crispy texture enhances the overall experience, and the sea urchin inside is savory and umami-packed.

✔ Sea Intestine Fried Rice (海肠捞饭)
A specialty of Dalian made with sea intestines. While this ingredient might be unfamiliar to many, even my friend who was new to Chinese cuisine found it delicious! It's rich and flavorful, making it a surprisingly accessible dish for everyone. Since Dalian is famous for this, I highly recommend trying it.

✔ Stone Pot Abalone (石锅鲍鱼)
Abalone served in a stone pot! I loved it so much that I ordered two more after the first one. The abalone's texture was perfect, and the subtle garlic aroma complemented it beautifully. This was my friend's favorite dish.

✔ Crispy Fried Meat (香脆肉)
Thinly fried meat coated in a sweet and savory sauce. It's quite addictive and a great choice if you're craving some meat amidst all the seafood. The flavor reminded me of Chinese-style sausages, and it pairs perfectly with beer—I immediately ordered a Tsingtao to go with it 😂.

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Not only was the food excellent, but the service and overall system were also smooth, making it a stress-free dining experience during our trip. One staff member even went out of their way to help us when we missed our turn in line, ensuring we could still get seated despite the language barrier. It was truly touching 🥹.

For reference, we spent just over 400 RMB for two people, which is on the pricier side for Dalian. Keep this in mind when planning your visit. The restaurant has multiple locations, so choose one that fits your itinerary and enjoy! 💞