Hunanese cuisine is smoky and spicy, and assuredly rustic. But Guyi takes Hunan dining a step further and offers the same delicious food in a more refined environment, with simple but elegant décor, accessible English menus and solid service.
Start with cold, Silken Tofu and Preserved Eggs or a marvelous Suan Ni Bai Rou, fatty pork served in soy sauce studded with blanched garlic. A trip to Guyi isn't complete without trying their cumin encrusted ribs (Ziran Paigu). Guyi's ribs are steamed til tender and then fried with fiery chillies, salt, and whole cumin seed. For those a little more daring, the fish heads served with green chilli sauce and steamed frog legs are also delicious, as is the smoked pork with preserved beans.