NANJING · FOOD GUIDE
Eating in Nanjing
Nanjing cuisine is rooted in the Jiangsu tradition but has its own distinct character — particularly around duck preparations, which have been central to the city's food culture since the Ming dynasty. The city also has a strong street-food culture in the Confucius Temple district.
盐水鸭
Salted Duck
Duck brined in salt, star anise, and Sichuan pepper then briefly simmered; served cold, sliced, with pale skin and pink flesh.
Where to try: Han Fu Ji (韩复记) salted duck shops near Confucius Temple; roast-meat counters throughout the city.
鸭血粉丝汤
Duck Blood and Vermicelli Soup
Silky glass noodles in duck broth with sliced duck blood curd, duck giblets, and tofu skin — a Nanjing breakfast staple.
Where to try: Fengwei Duck Blood Vermicelli stalls near Confucius Temple; breakfast shops in the Xinjiekou area.
南京锅贴
Nanjing Pan-fried Dumplings
Pork and chive dumplings pan-fried until the base is golden-crisp; served with vinegar and ginger.
Where to try: Xiaofang Noodle shops near Zhuque Road; stalls in Laomen Dong historic area.
蟹黄汤包
Steamed Crab Roe Bun
Large steamed bun filled with crab roe and pork in a gelatine broth; eaten with a straw first to drink the soup.
Where to try: Speciality restaurants around Confucius Temple and Laomen Dong area in autumn.
桂花糕
Osmanthus Rice Cake
Sweet glutinous rice cake flavoured with dried osmanthus flowers; a Nanjing autumn confection.
Where to try: Traditional sweet shops and vendors in the Confucius Temple district.
Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao)
Han Fu Ji Salted Duck
韩复记
- Address
- Confucius Temple food street, Qinhuai
- Hours
- 08:00–21:00 daily
- Metro
- Sanshan Street (Line 1)
- Order
- Salted duck, marinated duck giblets, osmanthus rice cake
Laomendong Food Lane stalls
- Address
- Laomendong historic block, Qinhuai
- Hours
- 10:00–22:00 daily
- Metro
- Zhonghua Gate (Line 1)
- Order
- Duck blood soup, pan-fried dumplings, osmanthus wine
Qinhuai Renjia
秦淮人家
- Address
- Fuzimiao Scenic Area, Qinhuai
- Hours
- 11:00–22:00 daily
- Metro
- Sanshan Street (Line 1)
- Order
- Nanjing set dinner, salted duck, stir-fried river shrimp
Xinjiekou / Gulou
Nanjing No.1 Restaurant
南京大牌档
- Address
- Xinjiekou area, multiple branches
- Hours
- 11:00–22:30 daily
- Metro
- Xinjiekou (Lines 1/3)
- Order
- Duck blood soup, braised duck, Nanjing appetiser cold plate
Gulou residential noodle shops
- Address
- Gulou district side streets
- Hours
- 06:30–13:00 daily
- Metro
- Gulou (Line 1)
- Order
- Plain duck broth noodles, spring onion pancake
Dingshan Huaiyang Restaurant
- Address
- Zhuque Road area, Jianye
- Hours
- 11:30–21:30 daily
- Metro
- Andemen (Line 1)
- Order
- Huaiyang cuisine set, steamed fish, braised lion's head
The Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao) food street is Nanjing's most atmospheric street-food district — duck blood soup, pan-fried dumplings, and osmanthus confections are sold from dawn until late evening along the canal. Laomendong historic block has a more curated selection of local snacks and craft food stalls. The morning vegetable market near Gulou metro station is where Nanjing residents shop and duck offal stalls set up from 06:30.