A Guide to Enjoying a Japanese-Style Getaway Without Leaving Guangzhou

With the Spring Festival approaching and the two little cuties at home on winter break, the sunny, spring-like weather makes it feel wrong not to step outside.

Amid the ongoing pandemic, we opted for a short family getaway close to home with guaranteed great food—Hotel Nikko Guangzhou.

Coca-Cola Themed Room

Hotel Nikko Guangzhou is part of Japan’s Okura Nikko Hotels. The moment you step into the lobby, you can feel the subtle Japanese elegance woven into every detail.

To surprise our two little darlings, we specially booked a Coca-Cola themed room.

Walking into our room felt like instantly stepping into a whimsical Coca-Cola world—the kids were bouncing with joy!

Everywhere you look, from the bedroom to the bathroom, Coca-Cola elements abound.

Vintage-style Coca-Cola posters adorn the walls, and small collectibles are displayed on the table, making it feel like a mini Coca-Cola museum.

Classic Coca-Cola cushions meet pink cherry blossom decorations—a combo that guarantees super high photo yields!

Of course, a Coca-Cola themed room wouldn’t be complete without the drink itself: the minibar is stocked with free Coca-Cola.

Take a sip, and that fizzy rush of happiness hits you right in the head, as if the whole room is filled with satisfying little bubbles.

Bellagio Western Buffet Restaurant

The Bellagio Western Buffet on the first floor of Hotel Nikko Guangzhou has always received rave reviews, and I finally got to try it!

Transport your taste buds to Japan

Here you can indulge in unlimited Japanese sushi and sashimi—absolutely no holding back!

As a salmon fanatic, what thrilled me most was that the restaurant serves thick-cut salmon belly!

Every slice is precisely cut, and the plump, glistening sashimi pieces, when picked up with chopsticks and savored slowly, deliver a burst of sweetness and delicate layers. That signature oily richness of salmon is intoxicating!

Ta-da! To my delight, I discovered they make takoyaki (octopus balls) fresh to order! The chef skillfully drops pieces of octopus into the batter, flips them expertly, then finally, a drizzle of mayonnaise and tomato sauce, topped with a shower of bonito flakes. Pop one in your mouth whole—pure bliss!

Seafood as much as you want, any way you want

At Bellagio, a variety of premium seafood and sashimi arrive fresh daily. No queues, no limits—eat freely, no need to be shy!

I must recommend the giant river prawns. Every prawn is super fresh; just a dab of soy sauce and wasabi instantly unlocks the natural sweetness of the meat. The prawn head's roe is the real showstopper—rich, creamy, and utterly mesmerizing!

Seafood lovers absolutely can’t miss the steamed scallops with garlic and vermicelli. The scallops are plump and firm, and the generous garlic and vermicelli add irresistible aroma—you’ll be drawn in from far away!

Meat lovers’ paradise

The best thing about a buffet is satisfying multiple cravings at once and piling all your favorite meats onto your plate.

The most popular station is the grill area, where beef short ribs, steaks, and saury are cooked to order. The chef puts heart into every dish, ensuring each portion is fresh and exquisite. While waiting, you can also watch the chef’s deft skills up close!

You absolutely can't miss the dessert section—it’s a sugar rush of eye-catching delights!

Over 20 beautifully presented desserts make a dazzling, joyful sweet feast that will make your heart skip a beat!

The fruit counter is worth noting too. Besides year-round staples like watermelon, apple, and orange, there are also seasonal winter treats like kumquats and longans—what a pleasant surprise!

Coincidentally, it was Mr. Zhou’s birthday during our visit, and the restaurant thoughtfully presented a heart-shaped mousse cake. We were truly surprised and touched!

Benkay Japanese Teppanyaki

I’ve always had a soft spot for kaiseki-style Japanese cuisine.

Exquisite presentation, seasonal ingredients, and the chef’s artisan spirit—every tiny detail is conveyed deep into your taste buds through the flavors.

The New Year set menu at Benkay was designed by 73-year-old executive chef Mr. Iwai. Being able to savor authentic Japanese cuisine without leaving the country is a true blessing for foodies.

Stepping into Benkay, you’re greeted by a model of the famous warrior Benkei, displays of traditional kimono, and an array of Japanese sake—an atmosphere rich with the charm of Japan.

Lavish New Year Kaiseki

The New Year appetizer platter includes black beans, sweet simmered chestnuts, red-and-white radish, datemaki rolled omelet, red-and-white fish cake, and red glutinous rice—a delightful way to sample many different ingredients at once!

The black beans and chestnuts are sticky-soft and wonderfully unique.

Lift the lid of your bowl and sip the clear dashi broth with oden ingredients—warmth immediately spreads through your body.

The grilled rice cake and shiitake red-and-white cake are silky yet chewy; eating rice cake at New Year carries the wish for a step up in the year ahead.

The sashimi platter is a work of art that highlights the chefs’ creativity, beautifully arranged with festive flair. Four kinds of seafood—seasoned sea bream, flounder, bluefin tuna, and salmon—arrive fresh from the deep sea.

The freshly grated wasabi is not pungent at all, just purely fragrant.

The fatty luster of the sashimi is naturally sweet, spreading gently in your mouth as your palate gradually awakens.

The grilled dish is a visually stunning “salmon grilled in snowy southern sky”—seared salmon hidden beneath a layer of broiled egg white “snow,” dotted with roe. Eating all three together delivers a wonderfully rich texture.

The accompanying mandarin orange is another pleasant surprise—tangy-sweet and perfect for cutting the richness.

The steamed course features longevity soba noodles with okra and yam sauce, an inventive, healthy, and soothing combination.

The fried dish centers on taro root—crisp outside, soft inside, and piping hot, radiating winter comfort.

After the fried items, the vinegared dish of surf clam with apple vinegar instantly refreshes your palate!

The apple and vinegar are crisp and refreshing, while the hidden surf clam adds a delightful textural layer.

The main course is Kyoto carrot, hijiki seaweed, and pickled plum mixed rice. The rice is warm and delicious; it was the first time I found plain rice so flavorful on its own!

No Japanese meal is complete without miso soup. The nameko mushroom and tofu miso soup is not overly salty, with a delicate, lingering aroma of mushrooms and tofu.

Finally, a bowl of refined red bean soup draws a perfect end to this New Year kaiseki experience.

Stepping out of the elevator on the third floor of Hotel Nikko Guangzhou, you’ll be amazed by a hidden world: the classical, elegant arched openings with openwork design, and the transparent canopy along the corridor vividly present the changing seasons. Chinese-themed elements are everywhere, and the antiques-style décor leaves no doubt about the Chinese charm.

Cantonese people simply cannot resist crispy roast pork:

Crispy skin and fragrant meat make it impossible to stop eating, even knowing another bite might add to your waistline—you’ll gladly accept it!

The roast suckling pork at Taoli Chinese Restaurant is a must-order for many regulars. The small, perfectly cube-shaped pieces are ideal for popping into your mouth whole!

The skin is crackling crisp, and the fat layer has been rendered completely, leaving no greasy mouthfeel at all!

Typhoon Shelter-style Giant River Prawns

Big, plump giant river prawns, with those bursting heads full of roe, have always captured my heart.

Taoli’s Typhoon Shelter-style preparation really hits the spot for every food lover. The garlic bits are dry, oil-free, and the meaty prawns and crab meat fully absorb the garlic’s essence, giving off an intense fragrance. I’m not exaggerating—I even ate the shells!

Golden Broth Five-Grain Braised Sea Cucumber

Five different grains and sea cucumber meld together in a shimmering pumpkin velouté. The textures are wonderfully layered, and the flavor is so rich and intense, words fail. Scoop up a generous piece of sea cucumber, bite into it, and you’re met with a mouthful of collagen. Even after polishing off the whole pot, I still wanted more.

Fruitwood Crispy Roast Chicken

Even as my palate still lingered on the Huadiao wine-braised lobster claw, when the fruitwood crispy roast chicken arrived, I was completely seduced by its glistening, crispy-skinned appearance and enticing aroma.

The crispy chicken is not only crispy outside and tender inside, but also perfectly cooked, with the meat still juicy inside.

The fruity wood fragrance actually penetrates all the way to the bone, so after finishing the chicken, you’ll find yourself gnawing on the bones just a little longer!

After tasting so many dishes at Taoli Chinese Restaurant, there was barely a miss. Every creation is a masterpiece of exquisite Cantonese cuisine, excelling in color, aroma, and taste.