Jiangsu Province Food

Meng Tian Xiang Cao

This restaurants is run by a Taiwan Designer, she is really kind and nice, treat every customer as a friend, even though you just stop by, not buying anything, you will still get a special herb tea which made by herself. Also, she know how to bake cookies which are amazing. She had a story why s...

Behind the Wall Cafe

A cozy atmosphere, decent food, live music and cheap margaritas make Behind the Wall a popular hang-out, especially with the foreign student population. Inside, Behind the Wall’s three rooms are linked by over-sized arched doorways, and provide seating for groups of two to ten. Mexican, Latin and Greek cuisine is served. The drink menu is varied and not too expensive by Nanjing standards - margaritas are served for only 15 Yuan from Sunday to Thursday. Live music is played on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from about 8:00pm to 11:00pm.

Note: “Behind the Wall” is sometimes referred to by the English translation of its Chinese name: “Answer”.

How to Get There

Behind the Wall is located near the Nanjing University Campus just off of Shanghai Lu. From Shanghai Lu, turn into the small Nanxiu Cun (南秀村, nánxiùcūn) and look to the left. It is up the stairs that lead behind the wall of the alley side. Swede & Kraut Restaurant is a little further down the alley.

Deyue Lou Old Restaurant

Having more than 200 year's history, good and authentic Suzhou cuisine here is noted world wide.It got it's name from a famous old movie named" xiao xiao deyue lou". It keeps the tradi...

Having more than 200 year's history, good and authentic Suzhou cuisine here is noted world wide.It got it's name from a famous old movie named" xiao xiao deyue lou". It keeps the traditional Suzhou cooking features of stewing, simmering and braising. Most chefs in the restaurant have been trained in the headquarters to assure each meal conforming to the perfect Suzhou cooking style. Still, the signature dishes here are Mandarin Fish, Fenzhengrou (steamed pork slices with glutinous rice flour), Xiefen Tofu (braised bean curd with crab meat) and Qingchao Xiaren (stir-fired shelled fresh shrimps). Deyue Lou usually tends to fill quickly on weekends, so reservation is necessary.

Bus route: Tourist special route No.4 and regular buses No.1, 2, 8, 9, 32, 38, 68, 102 and 103 can get you there.

Bella Napoli - Italian

Bella Napoli is the most authentic Italian cusine option in Nanjing.

Once inside, patrons often feel as if they have been transported out of China. Bella Napoli serves real Italian style pizza and pasta and the atmosphere is quiet...

Bella Napoli is the most authentic Italian cusine option in Nanjing.

Once inside, patrons often feel as if they have been transported out of China. Bella Napoli serves real Italian style pizza and pasta and the atmosphere is quiet and welcoming. The ’generously proportioned’ Italian head chef is often seen roaming about the restaurant making sure guests are enjoying their meal.

The complimentary buns and toast are always fresh, sometimes so fresh that the inside of the buns are still moist and warm, the way they should be.

Dishes include pizza, pasta, steak, prawns, and the chef’s special Mezza-luna which is a half pizza half calzone.

For those in Nanjing craving some authentic Italian food, this author recommends Bella Napoli hands down.

Bella Napoli is usually not completely crowded. However, if you desire a prime seat or plan on dining with more than 4 guests, it is recommended to make a reservation in advance.

How to Get There

Bella Napoli is on the corner of Zhongshan Dong Lu (中山东路) and Hongwu Bei Lu (洪武北路). From the subway, get off at the Xinjiekou station and exit from the #7 exit. Then walk one block to the east along Zhongshan Dong Lu.

Yinshi Jizhi Tangbao - Soup Dumplings

There is a great little place that is locally famous, but seems practically unknown to visitors. It has no English name, but in Chinese it is called 尹氏鸡汁汤包 (Yinshi Jizhi Tangbao). There are only two things on the menu: “yaxue fensi tang” (duck blood soup, 鸭血粉丝汤) and “tangbao”(soup dumplings, 汤包).

This place is newly renovated and remarkably clean. The staff do not speak English, so if you don’t speak Chinese just follow these 2 steps.

1 – Go to the front counter and order what you want, “yaxue fensi tang” or “tangbao”. Since there are only 2 options, they should be able to figure out what you are asking for.

2 – They will give you a small token. Take the token to the adjacent window and give it to the cooks.

Tangbao

Tangbaos are a unique snack. It is strongly recommended that anyone who has not tried them before and does eat pork, try them at least once. What makes a tangbao special is the small amount of chicken soup contained within. Tangbaos are similar to "xiaolongbao", which are found in other parts of China.

How do you eat a tangbao?

Tangbaos are served in one of those round straw trays that are generally used for steaming dim sum or baozi. The tangbaos and the tray itself should be steaming hot, so be careful when placing it in the table. The small dish in the middle is meant to be used for vinegar.

When picking up a tangbao be careful not to rip it. Lift it gently with your chopsticks and dip it in vinegar. Take a small, delicate bite of the outside. If you are not careful, you will end up shooting or spraying hot “tang” (soup) all over yourself or your friend. After you take a small bite, dip it in the vinegar again to let some vinegar flow inside the tangbao and mix with the soup.

How to get there:

Check the "Lion’s Bridge" article.

Other locations in Nanjing include:

396 Mochou Road (莫愁路396号)
West side of Hunan Lu

Ye Chun Teahouse

The Ye Chun Teahouse has been a Yangzhou staple for nearly 200 years. Not only is the teahouse set in one of the prettiest locations in town, along the tree lined banks of the Hu Cheng Canal near the Qian Long Imperial Dock, Ye Chun serves up some of the best steamed Chinese dishes as well. Most famous is the Ye Chun Zhengjiao 冶春蒸饺, a steamed meat dumpling, which is a must-order if visiting the restaurant. Other specials include Baozi 包子(stuffed steam buns) sold outside at breakfast and dinner time, along with Shaomai 烧卖 (dark rice wrapped dumplings), and Tang Gan Si 烫干丝(a Yangzhou specialty composed of thin tofu noodles in broth). Ye Chun Teahouse is easily the best place in town to grab a traditional breakfast as well, which comes in set meals.

How to Get There: Ye Chun is located at No. 10 Fengle Shang Jie (丰乐上街11号) which is on the west side of Beimen Wai Dajie (北门外大街). A second and unrelated Ye Chun is almost right next door at No. 1 Fengle Shang Jie which is on the east side of Beimen Wai Dajie.

ABC Hong Kong Restaurant

ABC Hong Kong Restaurant is a great place for friends or family gathering, it service traditional Cantonese with fresh martial, especially the Dim Sum, you can have it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

ABC Hong Kong Restaurant also have a happy hour from 9pm-3am, all the food (except the drinks and the dishes with *) will have a discount about 30% off.

Another 2 locations of ABC Hong Kong Restaurant in Nanjng

Hanzhongmen (汉中门总店)
Address: No. 35 Hanzhongmen Street 汉中门大街35号
Phone Number: +86 (0)25 8652 0110

Nanjing Library Branch (南京图书馆店)
Address: 1/F Nanjing Library (The new one), No. 189 Zhongshan Dong Lu 中山东路189号，南京图书馆新馆1楼
Phone Number: +86 (0)25 8435 6068, 8435 6060

Beijing Roast Duck

This Beijing Roast Duck Restauran is near my place, and i will go there have dinner at least twice a month, the reason is the food tastes so good, and i like the Roast Duck the most, they have a big window that show you how they roast the duck, and how they cut the duck into pieces. Also other dishes are womderful too.
Because i go there often, so every time i finish the dinner they will give me a coupon for a half duck free, this makes me even wanna go there more often.

Don Quixote Spanish Restaurant & Bar

Xinjiang Meat on a Stick on Hubei Lu

"Rou chuan", or "meat on a stick" for those that have spent less than a week in China, is surely one of the most popular street snacks in China. Migrants from Xinjiang province serve this quick meaty treat in cities across the country.

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The best rou chuan to be found on the streets of Nanjing is at one of those places that is locally famous yet remains unknown to travellers. It is called 正宗新疆艾斯卡烧烤 (Zhengzong Xinjiang aisika shaokao). This tiny hole-in-the-wall establishment has no English name and is located on Hubei Lu, right next to Hunan Road and Lion’s Bridge. These kebabs are definitely worth a trip if you are in the Hunan Lu area.

What makes this rou chuan better than the rest is that you get more meat, less grizzle and grease, and it’s quite spicy too.

One rou chuan (one stick) costs 1 yuan, which is actually 2 or 3 times the price of the average rou chuan in Nanjing.

How to Get There

Follow instructions to get to Lion’s Bridge (狮子桥). This section of Hubei Road (湖北路) stretches between the south entrance to Lion’s Bridge and Hunan Road (湖南路).

Second Location

There is a 2nd location in Mingwa Alley(明瓦廊).