Lu Yu Grilled Fish at Qingdao's The MixC: An Honest Review 2026

Qingdao Unforgettable Journey

Qingdao's Must-Visit: The MixC (Wanxiangcheng) and Luyu (炉鱼)

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As I was preparing for my Qingdao trip,

the keyword I searched for the most was

undoubtedly 'Must-Visit Spots in Qingdao'!

Beaches and night markets are great, but

for my spouse and me, the most important thing during a trip is a delicious meal,

so as soon as we arrived, we headed straight for a truly authentic local restaurant

near Yihai Garden Hotel

called Luyu (炉鱼) at The MixC (Wanxiangcheng).

To cut to the chase,

as a must-visit spot in Qingdao and an authentic local restaurant,

this place is absolutely, unequivocally recommended!!!

1. Qingdao's Must-Visit: The MixC (Wanxiangcheng)

Luyu is located

inside The MixC (Wanxiangcheng), Qingdao's central shopping mall.

The MixC (Wanxiangcheng) is a fantastic place

where you can find everything from shopping, amazing restaurants, and cafes, to even a CGV cinema,

making it a one-stop destination for all your needs.

It's an absolutely essential stop on any Qingdao independent travel itinerary!

Just a 5-Minute Walk from Yihai Garden Hotel

Our accommodation was

the Yihai Garden Hotel!

From here, The MixC (Wanxiangcheng) is less than a 5-minute walk away.

✔ Perfect for heading straight to dinner from the hotel.

✔ You can easily enjoy a meal or a coffee right after shopping.

✔ It's a newly built hotel, very clean, and absolutely no cigarette smell!

We were truly highly satisfied with both the hotel's location and cleanliness.

And for Yihai Garden Hotel room prices,

Trip.com is hands down the cheapest!!

Also, there are two Yihai Garden Hotels in Qingdao,

so make sure not to get confused and book the one below!

Trip.com discount code: MOMENTH3

👇 Book Yihai Garden Hotel at the lowest price

Visited on a Weekday at 5 PM, Absolutely No Waiting

We arrived around 5 PM on a weekday,

and were able to enter immediately without any waiting.

Since it was before the dinner rush, the restaurant was pleasantly uncrowded,

and the food came out quicker than we expected!

During your independent travel itinerary,

this timing is perfect for your first night's dinner or a day dedicated to shopping and dining.

How to Order with a QR Code

Once you're seated,

there's a QR code on each table,

which you can scan with your camera or WeChat.

How to Order at Luyu

1️⃣ After scanning the QR code,

2️⃣ Select your menu items (it's easy to choose as there are pictures).

3️⃣ Choose your fish type.

4️⃣ Select your flavor (Mala / Garlic are the most popular and safest bets).

5️⃣ Complete your order.

You can handle additional orders and even payment

entirely via QR code,

so it's not difficult at all, even if you don't speak Chinese.

If you're unsure what to order,

check out what I ordered below!!

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Feast Until You're Full for 180 CNY,

Less Than ~$26!

Here's what we ordered:

👉 Total: 183 CNY!

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Voila!!

Can you believe a fish this big

cost only around ~$26?! Is this for real?!

To eat until our bellies were bursting, for two people,

at this price point, Qingdao's cost of living is truly incredible, isn't it?! ㅠㅠㅠ

It's got that spicy kick Koreans absolutely love, you know?

You know that feeling when you mix it with white rice and just can't stop eating?

The fish is wonderfully thick, so every bite fills your mouth with a satisfying chew,

and it's so incredibly tender that it just melts away..

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Luyu: My Honest Review

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A Perfect Itinerary Combining Qingdao's Must-Visit Spots

Recommended Itinerary Before & After Your Luyu Meal

This itinerary is perfectly manageable for your first day!

Since Qingdao's airport is a bit of a distance from the city center,

opting for an airport pick-up service to your hotel can really save you time!

Seriously, on your first day of travel, this is the most stress-free option!

👇 Check out Qingdao Airport Pick-up Service Here!

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Final Thoughts

If you're looking for places to visit in Qingdao,

Wanshancheng Luyu is a choice you can't go wrong with! No, it's an absolute must-try!

Especially if you're staying at Yihai Garden Hotel,

I wholeheartedly recommend this amazing, budget-friendly restaurant!

Luyu Location & Gaode Map Address

山东省青岛市市南区山东路6号

(Search for 炉鱼 青岛万象城店 on Gaode Maps)

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👇 Check out my honest review of Yihai Garden Hotel

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👇 Check out my honest review of Qingdao Beer Museum

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👇 Check out my China Travel Essentials List Review

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