Houdefu (厚德福) Zhengzhou

Houdefu (厚德福) in Zhengzhou is a dressier sit-down restaurant whose name traces back to a house founded in Kaifeng in 1841. The restaurant is associated with classic Yu cuisine, the formal cooking tradition of Henan Province, and it is often chosen for family dinners, business meals and occasions where visitors want to taste banquet-style Henan dishes rather than street food. The exact branch address changes, so visitors should search 厚德福 郑州 in Amap (高德地图) for the current location.

The signature dish is the braised Yellow River carp (红烧黄河鲤鱼), priced at about ¥128 to ¥188 depending on size. Yellow River carp is prized in Henan cooking for its firm flesh, and the braise here is glossy and richly seasoned. The other headline order is the Kaifeng-style roast duck (¥98-138), which reflects the culinary lineage that the restaurant's name claims. Together the two dishes give a good sense of the historic banquet repertoire of the region, and the menu is built for sharing at round tables.

The dining room is formal, with banquet-style seating, polite table service and a calmer, more structured atmosphere than the province's noodle shops. Smart-casual dress is appropriate. Noise levels stay moderate except when large group tables are full. The beverage list typically includes tea, beer, baijiu and soft drinks, and the meal is paced for conversation, with several dishes arriving in sequence.

Reservations are recommended at weekends and can be made through the Dianping (大众点评) or Meituan (美团) apps. Walk-ins are usually accepted on weekdays. Booking a day ahead is normally enough, but festival dates and large groups should reserve earlier. Approximate hours are 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. With prices at the upper end for Zhengzhou, a shared meal with a whole carp and a duck typically costs around ¥100 to ¥200 per person for a small group, depending on how many dishes are ordered.