Xingdian Roast Duck is a specialty of Xingdian Town in Pukou District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province. The Xingdian Halal Roast Duck is prepared using the traditional hanging oven method. It boasts a jujube-red hue, with a crispy skin and tender meat, rich flavor, oily yet not greasy, and an aromatic fragrance that makes it highly popular among diners. Xingdian Town has long been a settlement of the Hui ethnic group, and working in the food industry has been a primary livelihood for the local Hui community...
Wujiang Weihua is produced in the hilly and mountainous areas around Qiaolin Town in Pukou District. This region is renowned for its cotton production, which is called “Wujiang Weihua.” It boasts high yield, white color, long fibers, and excellent warmth retention, distinguishing it significantly from cotton grown in other areas. As an important cash crop in Qiaolin Town, Pukou District, it is widely sold to cities such as Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Shanghai. Major merchants engaged in cotton batting and cotton product manufacturing…
Printed Cloth: The areas surrounding Qiaolin Town in Pukou District are rich in cotton production, and there are many cotton merchants in the town. Thanks to the availability of locally produced and sold cotton, several workshops in Qiaolin Town use small looms to weave cloth—commonly known as small-loom cloth (the Fu family on North Street alone operated nearly ten looms). The woven fabric is then dyed with traditional, rustic patterns and blue floral borders using local printing techniques…
Old Mountain Royal Jelly Bees belong to the class Insecta, suborder Apocrita, and live in colonies. Each beehive houses about twenty thousand bees, making each hive a kind of “society.” Within it lives one queen bee, approximately 5% drones, and around 95% worker bees. The queen is the ruler of the entire society, …
[Fried Oil Cake]: A Fried Oil Cake is essentially a pan-fried oil pancake. Before the War of Resistance Against Japan, a northern master chef surnamed Wang came to Qiaolin. To make a living, he set up a street stall in Qiaolin, selling northern-style pastries. His skills were excellent, and his pastries were beloved by all, especially the pan-fried oil pancakes, which people called “huo shao” (fire roasted). Later, he specialized in making “huo shao”…
Sweet rice porridge with lotus root is another common snack from the old days in Nanjing. As night falls, after the cries of vendors selling fried rice candy in hot water, fried glutinous rice balls, dumplings, and tea eggs, you’ll hear the mellow call: “Sweet porridge—lotus root!”
Xiaolongbao: The key to eating xiaolongbao lies in the broth. When making them, the stock is condensed into a transparent, solid gelatin, which is then chopped up and mixed into the filling. Once steamed, it all melts into soup. A good xiaolongbao has a wrapper as thin as paper but strong enough not to break when lifted. Carefully lift it out, place it in a bowl of vinegar, and take a sip from the top — the delicious broth flows into your mouth. But don’t be too hasty, or you might burn your mouth. Then slowly enjoy the filling inside. That’s why people in Nanjing have a little song about eating xiaolongbao: "Move it gently, lift it slowly, pierce a window first, then sip the soup."
Steamed Dumplings Steamed Dumplings: Steamed dumplings can actually be found all over China, but those from Nanjing are truly unique—not only are they exquisitely shaped, but their flavor is also known for being refreshingly light. If they’re too greasy or heavy, they lose that refreshing quality. The filling of mushroom steamed dumplings is made with fresh pork and shiitake mushrooms, along with the delicious juice from the mushrooms. Once steamed...
Boiled Shredded Tofu: Nanjing shredded tofu features a unique preparation method distinct from other cities. The tender yet firm, dry yet not crumbly shredded tofu is specially made by tofu shops. The tofu is finely shredded, then cooked in a variety of broths, mixed with fragrant sesame oil and premium soy sauce, resulting in a refreshing taste with a long-lasting aftertaste. …
Braised Dried Tofu in Sauce (Ruyi Hui Lu Gan): Nanjing has a long history, and the people of Nanjing love to connect their snacks with historical tales. Take this ordinary hui lu gan, for example — it’s even linked to Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang. Legend has it that after Zhu Yuanzhang ascended the throne in Jinling (present-day Nanjing), he grew tired of the delicacies served in the imperial palace. One day, while secretly leaving the palace in plain clothes, he spotted a small snack shop on the street…
Assorted Tofu Pudding: Also known as tofu curd or tofu flower, in Nanjing dialect it’s called “dou bu lao.” This snack can be found all over China, but Nanjing’s version is a bit different. Like other places, it has a smooth, jade-like white color and a refreshing taste, but what sets Nanjing’s tofu pudding apart is its toppings. It’s served with over ten condiments including dried shrimp, pickled mustard tuber, wood ear fungus, chopped scallions, chili oil, sesame oil, and more. Not only is it visually appealing, but the flavor is rich, thick, fragrant, savory, perfectly balanced in saltiness, with just the right amount of spice and delicious complexity. Nanjing folks also love their snacks to have a bit of “meaning,” and this humble dish is no exception: it’s said that young people who eat it will sharpen their brains, while the elderly will enjoy longevity. To add an auspicious touch, vendors even mix in assorted pickled vegetables—symbolizing a bright future, get it? Hehe.
Scholar’s Beans/Five-Spice Eggs: Scholar’s Beans are one of the signature snacks of Nanjing’s Confucius Temple. Legend has it that during the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong era, Qin Dashì, a poor scholar living in a small alley near Jinshajǐng in the southern part of the city, used to study late into the night every day. His mother, unable to afford much, would cook soybeans with red yeast rice and red dates, serve them in a small bowl, and top them with a single red date...
Pastry Delicacies: People in the Jiangnan region have a sweet tooth, so traditional pastry shops still hold strong appeal in Nanjing. When it comes to sweets, locals prize flavors that are sweet but not cloying, and soft yet not sticky—only then can a dessert be considered truly top-notch. Moreover, great taste alone isn’t enough; presentation and color are equally important. That’s why most pastries in Nanjing are dainty and petite, bursting with vibrant hues,...
Beef potstickers are a famous and beloved snack in Nanjing. The tops are tender while the bottoms are crispy, with a delicious beef filling that has a unique flavor. There are many ways to make beef potstickers, and each shop has its own distinctive version. Today, I’d like to share two simple yet tasty methods for you to try...
Nanjing preserved duck is famous both at home and abroad. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, a popular folk rhyme in Nanjing went: “Ancient academies, glazed pagodas, dark-colored silk, and salted preserved duck.” This shows that Nanjing preserved duck has long enjoyed an outstanding reputation. The duck is salt-cured and air-dried, and comes in two types: winter preserved duck and spring preserved duck. It gets its name because the meat is tender, compact, and firm like a board...
The pancake is first pan-fried in oil, then roasted under a stove. After roasting, the outer crust takes on a mottled golden hue and emits a hint of smoky flavor. It’s crispy just right and deliciously fragrant. Of course, you can add any fillings you like.
The wrapper clings to sesame seeds, the bottom is golden and crispy, the filling is generous, and the juicy broth is rich and abundant — one bite and you're in heaven. Shop name: Xiao Yang Pan-Fried Pork Buns Address: Nanjing Commercial Building, Xuanwu District Shop name: Liu Luoguo Pan-Fried Pork Buns Address: B1, Forest Mall Fashion Street, No. 301 Zhongshanmen Street, Xuanwu District…
Known as the most filling breakfast in the hearts of old Nanjing locals—steamed rice wrapped around fried dough sticks. The outer glutinous rice is soft and sticky, and it can be stuffed with pickled vegetables, egg yolk, ham sausage, and meat floss. Of course, if you have a big appetite, you can add another fried dough stick. Shop name: Taiwanese-style Steamed Rice Address: No. 4, Zhongzheng Road, Xuanwu District…
The diabolo, also known as "kongzhong" (空钟), "kongzheng" (空筝), or "wengzi" (嗡子), is a traditional folk toy. It evolved from the spinning top and produces a buzzing sound when spun in the air. The Ming Dynasty work *Scenic Spots of the Imperial Capital* by Liu Tong describes: “When the willows come alive, spin tops; when the willows turn green, fly kongzhong,” where “kongzhong” refers to…
Yin's Chicken Broth Soup Dumplings are a specialty snack from Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. The dumpling wrappers are very thin but not easy to break when picked up. Gently lift one and place it in your mouth, and the rich chicken broth inside will flow in, delivering a delicious, sweet-aftertaste flavor. Yin's Chicken Broth Soup Dumplings were first created in 1991. They have a unique taste, are made with fine handcraftsmanship, and their filling...