In the heart of Changsha and housed in the corner of a shopping mall sits “Wenheyou Market” (文和友市场), also known as Wenheyou Laochangsha Lobster Restaurant. The “market” itself is actually a Hunan restaurant offering a true definition of experiential dining: a five-story labyrinth decorated with references that transport visitors to the vibrant streets of 1980s Changsha. This immersive space fuses nostalgia with cyberpunk aesthetics, offering a sensory journey through time wrapped in visual references to retro-cyberpunk aesthetics reminiscent of Kowloon Walled City-era Hong Kong.
Access begins on the sixth floor via the mall elevator, and visitors are greeted by a subtle entry point before descending into the layers of the five-story restaurant. The fifth floor boasts the “China Memory” Grand Clock, retro arcade machines to fiddle with, a Scent Museum, and even a sightseeing cable car ride for 20 RMB. A long staircase leads down to the fourth floor, adorned with glowing neon signs and private dining rooms. Between the fourth and fifth floors, a staircase beneath a radiant “Changsha” sign also serves as a popular photo spot among the various opportunities to capture the bustling food-court-meets-little-town in action.
The third floor is a haven for food enthusiasts, offering a range of street snacks: spicy shrimp, lard-mixed rice, Dongguashan sausages, perilla peach ginger, and sweet rice wine. Forever Street on the second floor features retro shops, including the Childhood Grocery Store stocked with nostalgic and well-loved treats.
If experiencing something a little different is on your to-do list when in Changsha, Wenheyou Market transcends the typical dining experience: the establishment serves as a cultural landmark remembering the city’s past in the form of a visual museum and retro “theme park.” Ultimately, Wenheyou Market is a restaurant (or just many excuses to snack), but it is also something that’s meant to be marveled at, wandered through, photographed, and savored. So, take your time and enjoy a layered glimpse into Changsha’s history recreated through architecture, food, and playful nostalgia.
Cover image via Bendibao.com.
