Old Kaili Sour Fish Restaurant (老凯俚酸汤鱼)

Old Kaili Sour Fish Restaurant (老凯俚酸汤鱼) is a mid-range Guizhou and Miao restaurant on Shengfu Road in Guiyang's Yunyan District, the street best known in the city for sour soup fish. The kitchen follows the Kaili tradition from southeastern Guizhou, where the Miao people ferment tomatoes and chillies into a vivid red, tangy broth that forms the base of the region's most famous dish. This is regional home-style cooking rather than a chef-driven or Michelin-listed operation, and its appeal lies in the authenticity of the broth and the communal way it is eaten. The signature dish is sour soup fish (酸汤鱼), cooked at the table in a shared pot. A whole river fish is simmered in the red broth until tender, and diners add vegetables and tofu as the pot reduces. The broth is sharp and appetising rather than fiery, with a fermented tang that cuts through the richness of the fish. Stir-fried greens are the usual side, and Guizhou rice wine is the traditional drink to accompany the meal, served in small cups and lightly sweet with a mellow kick. The dining room is plain and practical, with large round tables and portable burners built into the table, so the atmosphere is warm, steamy and sociable, particularly at weekend dinners when families and groups of friends fill the room. Noise levels are high at peak times and there is no dress code. Prices sit in the mid-range for Guiyang, typically a few dozen to around a hundred yuan per person depending on fish size and extras. Reservations are generally unnecessary for pairs and small parties, since walk-ins are accepted, but booking ahead is sensible for groups of six or more and on public holidays. Opening hours are listed at roughly 11:00 to 21:30 daily and should be verified before a visit. The restaurant's central Yunyan location makes it easy to combine with a walk through the old downtown and nearby Shengfu Road competitors, giving visitors a chance to compare several versions of the same regional classic.