Nanjing cuisine is still too diverse and extensive
Nanjing is not only a city with a profound cultural heritage, but also a “delicious” city.
From pan-frying, deep-frying, and blanching to stewing and steaming, it offers a full range of cooking techniques and a rich variety of dishes.
It has to be said that Nanjing’s culinary scene is truly comprehensive and remarkably diverse.
Beef Potstickers (Pan-Fried Dumplings)
When it comes to “crispy” foods in Nanjing, beef potstickers are an absolute must-try. Many long-established small eateries hidden in narrow alleys have become “must-visit check-in spots” in various travel guides, attracting both locals and visitors alike with their crispy texture and rich flavor.
Delicious staple foods: noodles, wontons, and soup dumplings
Noodles in Nanjing are a true vessel of endless flavors. From Pidu noodles, braised broth noodles, dry-mixed noodles, spicy noodles, to eel noodles, there is a wide variety of choices.
For locals, noodles are not just a meal—they are a genuine comfort and a true favorite of Nanjing people.
Chinese-style sweet soups: fermented rice sweet soup, red bean tangyuan, and osmanthus taro
No one can resist a bowl of sweet, comforting “soft and chewy” desserts.
A steaming bowl of fermented rice sweet soup with red bean tangyuan is especially popular. The red beans are slow-cooked until soft and tender, while the glutinous rice dumplings are soft, chewy, and springy. The soup base is rich, thick, and silky, leaving a long-lasting and unforgettable aftertaste.
Delicious duck dishes: roast duck and salted duck
When it comes to the foods most loved by people in Nanjing, duck dishes are always at the top of the list.
In Nanjing, there is a saying: “No banquet is complete without duck.”
Netizens often joke that “no duck can ever swim out of Nanjing alive,” highlighting just how popular duck dishes are in the city.
