Nanjing'S Top 10 Iconic Foods

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1. Nanjing Salted Duck (盐水鸭)

History: Over 1,000 years old; dubbed “Duck Capital” for its mastery of duck dishes.
Taste: Tender meat with crispy skin, lightly salted.
Where to Try: Zhan Garden Restaurant (老瞻园面馆) for authentic versions.

2. Duck Blood Vermicelli Soup (鸭血粉丝汤)

Unique Ingredient: Cubes of duck blood with sweet potato starch noodles.
Local Love: A street food staple; best at Yingshi Snack (尹氏汤包).
Tip: Add chili oil for extra flavor.

3. Jinling Roast Duck (金陵烤鸭)

Vs. Beijing Duck: Sweeter glaze, less fatty.
Serving: Often paired with lotus-leaf pancakes.

4. Crab Roe Soup Buns (蟹黄汤包)

Signature: Bursting with crab roe and pork broth.
Eat Carefully: Pierce gently to sip soup first.

5. Beef Pot Stickers (牛肉锅贴)

Texture: Crispy bottom, juicy filling.
Best Spot: Liuji Beef Pot Stickers (刘长兴) since Qing Dynasty.

6. Duck Oil Sesame Cake (鸭油酥烧饼)

Flavor: Flaky layers infused with duck fat aroma.
Pairing: Ideal with Nanjing’s salted duck.

7. Plum Blossom Cake (梅花糕)

Shape: Resembles plum blossoms; stuffed with red bean or fruit.
Street Vendors: Abundant near Confucius Temple.

8. Sweet Osmanthus Taro Ball (糖芋苗)

Dessert: Taro balls in osmanthus syrup, served chilled.
Seasonal: Best in summer.

9. Pork Rind Noodles (皮肚面)

Comfort Food: Chewy pork rind in rich bone broth.
Local Chain: Sihai Pork Rind Noodles (四鹤皮肚面).

10. Nanjing Fried Dumplings (南京锅贴)

Filling: Pork and shrimp; pan-fried to golden crisp.
Breakfast Go-To: Served with vinegar dipping sauce.

Comparison Chart

Dish	Flavor Profile	Best Place to Try	Price Range (¥)
Salted Duck	Salty, tender	Zhan Garden Restaurant	50–100
Duck Blood Soup	Savory, spicy	Yingshi Snack	15–25
Crab Roe Buns	Umami, juicy	Nanjing Da Pai Dong	30–50
Beef Pot Stickers	Crispy, meaty	Liuji Restaurant	20–40
Plum Blossom Cake	Sweet, floral	Confucius Temple stalls	5–10

Key Notes:

Budget Eats: Street snacks (e.g., plum cake, sesame cake) under ¥10.
Duck Specialties: Salted duck and roast duck differ in preparation—salted for preservation, roasted for glaze.
Vegetarian Option: Osmanthus taro ball is plant-based.

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