SHENZHEN restaurants were the second-most expensive in the country, only after Shanghai, according to the results of a survey released Sunday.
Conducted by the country s largest consumer guide Web site, Dianping.com, the survey found that meals served at Shenzhen restaurants cost 70 yuan (US$10.55) per person on average, while meals served at Shanghai restaurants cost 88 yuan per person on average.
The survey compared meal prices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Nanjing and Tianjin. Beijing restaurants were the third-most expensive, with each diner spending an average of 67 yuan.
According to the survey, Shenzheners, like many people in the other cities, favored dining out with friends. It showed that 69 percent of restaurant meals were for gatherings of friends and an increasing number of couples tended to eat out.
Cantonese and Japanese food were favorites in Shenzhen, the survey found. Of the 50 most popular chain restaurants in Shenzhen, 60 percent served Cantonese or Japanese food, possibly of the reasons why Cantonese food (97 yuan per person) and Japanese food (127 yuan per person) were more expensive.
Dabaokoufu Buffet Restaurant, Four Seas International House and Golden Jaguar were the most popular restaurants in Shenzhen. As for chain restaurants, South Beauty, Fenghuanglou and Wang Steak were best loved by Shenzheners.
Consumers were turning to group purchases for bargain meals. A meal bought in group cost only 57 yuan per person on average, with restaurants usually offering 60 percent off for group buyers.
(Helen Deng)
