Must-Try Jiangsu Foods: A Guide to the City’s Signature Dishes

Must-Try Jiangsu Foods: A Guide to the City’s Signature Dishes

When you travel to Jiangsu, you must try the rich and varied cuisines that not only represent the food culture of Jiangsu, but are also popular among the locals. The following are some of the must-try Jiangsu Cuisines:


1. Nanjing Salt Water Duck

Features: Nanjing salt water duck, also known as cinnamon duck, is a famous specialty of Nanjing and a representative of Jinling cuisine. Its production process is delicate, and the duck meat is white and tender, fat but not greasy, and full of fresh flavor. Salt water duck has a long history, the earliest can be traced back to the period of the Six Dynasties, is a regular guest on the table of Nanjing people.

Reason: The unique flavor and production process of salt water duck make it one of the culinary business cards of Jiangsu and even the whole country.


2. Duck Blood Fensi Soup

Features: Duck Blood Fensi Soup is a famous snack in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, with duck blood, duck intestines, duck liver, duck soup and vermicelli as the main ingredients. The soup is fresh, fragrant, smooth and tender, with a balanced and moderate taste, and is one of the favorite snacks of Nanjing locals.

Recommended reason: duck blood vermicelli soup with its delicious soup base and rich ingredients to attract countless diners, is not to be missed in Nanjing travel food.


3. Yangzhou fried rice

Features: Yangzhou fried rice, also known as Yangzhou egg fried rice, is a traditional snack in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province. Its selection of materials and cooking process is very careful, fried rice grains clear and loose, soft and hard moderate, fresh and delicious.

Reason: Yangzhou fried rice has become one of the representatives of Chinese fried rice with its delicate texture and rich flavor, and it is also a must-try food for Yangzhou tourists.


4. squirrel mandarin fish

Features: Squirrel Mandarin Fish is a traditional Suzhou dish, most famous for its squirrel guillotine fish. This dish is full of color, aroma and taste, crispy outside and tender inside, sweet and sour, and is loved by the elderly and children.

Reason: Squirrel Mandarin Fish is not only delicious, but also marvelous in its unique shape and production process, making it a must-try dish when traveling in Suzhou.


5. Kunshan Aozao Noodles

Features: Aozao Noodle is one of the special traditional snacks in Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province, and one of the top ten noodles in China. Its best feature is the noodle soup, which is made from the broth in which the scales, gills, flesh and mucus of the mackerel are fried together, which has a very fresh flavor.

Reason: The unique soup base and rich ingredients of Aozao Noodles make it stand out among many noodles, and it is a must-try food when traveling in Kunshan.


6. Wuxi Xiaolongbao

Features: Wuxi Xiaolongbao is a famous snack specialty of Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, famous for its thin skin and rich soup, exquisite and delicate filling, and fresh and tender taste.

Reason: Wuxi xiaolongbao has a unique production process and delicious flavor, which is one of the must-try food for Wuxi tour.


7. Yangzhou Thousand Layer Oil Cake

Characteristics: Yangzhou thousand layers of oil cake is a special traditional snack in Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province, with 64 layers of oil cake, each layer is connected with oil and sugar, layered. It is soft, sweet and crispy, which is the first choice for sweet lovers.

Reason: The unique production process and delicious taste of Yangzhou thousand-layer oil cake make it one of the must-try delicacies when traveling in Yangzhou.


These delicacies not only represent the essence of Jiangsu's food culture, but are also an important part of Jiangsu's tourism. While savoring these delicacies, tourists can better understand the local customs and cultural heritage of Jiangsu.


Explore our recommended itineraries and contact us to customize your ideal Jiangsu adventure.

2-Day Hangzhou and Suzhou Watertown Tour  

4-Day Shanghai and Nanjing Trip 

1- Day Suzhou Trip



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What Our Clients Say?

Based on 10,000+ traveler reviews

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Daniel Dorothea
Canada
Reviewed on April 29,2025
Shopping on Nanjing Road in Shanghai was just amazing! It's truly the "First Commercial Street of China", where tradition and modernity blend perfectly. You can find awesome souvenirs and experience the trendy vibes in cool stores. The neon lights at night are just spectacular, shining bright like Times Square in New York. The food here is incredible too. I had a feast for my taste buds. Shanghai, I'll definitely be back!
Destination(s): Shanghai
Date of Experience: May 08,2024
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Elvis Eva
Canada
Reviewed on June 20,2025
As a solo traveler from Canada, I was nervous about navigating China alone—but this 11-day tour was PERFECT! From hiking the Great Wall at sunrise (Day 3) to gasping at the Terracotta Army (Day 5), every day delivered ‘pinch-me’ moments. The real showstopper? Zhangjiajie’s Avatar Mountains (Day 7)! Our guide made the stone pillars come alive with stories. Massive thanks for handling all logistics—bullet train tickets, entry passes, car! And the 4-star hotels surprised me.
Destination(s): Beijing Xian Zhangjiajie Shanghai
Date of Experience: June 02,2025
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Simon
America
Reviewed on May 29,2025
Our 2-day Zhangjiajie tour was beyond spectacular! As someone who’s visited Beijing and Shanghai for work, this trip revealed China’s wild, magical heart. Day 1 in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park felt like stepping onto Pandora—I’m a huge Avatar fan, and Yuanjiajie’s floating peaks left me breathless. The misty pillars and lush valleys like pure movie magic! Then came Fenghuang Ancient Town, we eat dinner beside the thundering waterfall. It seems Unreal! The night views of stilt houses glowing over the river were straight from a fairy tale. For fellow Avatar lovers and adventure seekers: Don’t miss this bucket-list experience! 10/10 would return. A Well-Traveled Film Buff, May 2025
Destination(s): Zhangjiajie
Date of Experience: May 08,2025
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