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Best Restaurants in Nantong

Best Restaurants in Nantong

Nantong Jiangsu, China Travel Guide

Culinary Overview

Local Cuisine & Flavors

Nantong cuisine is part of Huaiyang cuisine, known for elegant presentation, delicate flavors, and fresh, fresh seasonal produce. It uses less spice and oil, preferring clear broths and natural tastes.

A strong emphasis on seafood from the Yangtze River and Yellow Sea. Flavors are typically light, fresh, slightly sweet, and savory, with seasonings like soy sauce, ginger, scallions, and grains of rice wine.

Dining Customs

  • Chopsticks are the main utensils; request a spoon and fork if needed.
  • Meals feature several dishes placed in the table's center, shared among all diners.
  • Offer food to others, especially elders, using serving chopsticks or the back of your own.
  • Avoid sticking chopsticks upright in your rice bowl; this holds cultural implications.

Meal Times & General Etiquette

Breakfast 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Typically noodles, congee, steamed buns, fried dough sticks, or soy milk.

Lunch 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Eateries frequently serve set lunch menus.

Dinner 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

The main meal; restaurants close later in commercial areas.

Quick Tips

  • Tipping is not customary and generally not expected in China.
  • Chinese restaurants can be lively and noisy, reflecting a relaxed social atmosphere.
  • Regional variations contribute to the local culinary landscape.
  • Anticipate subtle, refined tastes rather than bold or fiery ones.

Must-Try Dishes

Signature Dishes

Stir-fried River Shrimp 清炒河虾仁

Delicate freshwater shrimp, lightly stir-fried to emphasize natural sweetness. A typical Huaiyang dish.

Find it in most local Jiangsu cuisine restaurants.

Salted Dried Yellow Croaker 风干带鱼

Air-dried fish with intensified savory flavor and unique chewy texture.

Look for it in seafood restaurants focusing on local specialties.

Braised Pork with Bamboo Shoots 红烧肉烧笋

A regional red-braised pork belly variant with sweeter, savory sauce and crunchy bamboo shoots.

Common in family-style restaurants.

More Local Delicacies

  • Jianhu Eel (剪湖鳗): Freshwater eel cooked in various ways for tender meat.
  • Crab Roe Tofu (蟹黄豆腐): Silken tofu with rich, savory crab roe for an umami taste.
  • Nantong Chicken Porridge (南通鸡粥): Hearty, savory chicken broth porridge, good for a brunch or a light meal.
  • Skewers (烧烤): Street vendors grill meats, vegetables, and seafood in the evenings.

Street Food & Beverages

Noodles & Steamed Buns

Various types of noodles, steamed buns (baozi) with different fillings make for quick meals.

Congee & Beverages

Savory rice porridge (congee), fried dough sticks (youtiao), local tea, fruit juices, and local rice wine.

Dining Options

Fine Dining

Found in luxury hotels (InterContinental, Sheraton) or high-end restaurants in Chongchuan District.

  • Specializing in refined Huaiyang cuisine.
  • Some have international fine dining experiences.
  • Upscale atmosphere and service.

Mid-Range Restaurants

Abundant throughout the city, featuring local specialties and regional Chinese cuisines.

  • Family-friendly and catering to groups.
  • Comfortable dining environments.
  • Some international options are available.

Budget Eateries & Street Food

Small local restaurants, noodle shops, dumpling stalls, and street food vendors.

  • Authentic and very affordable meals.
  • Found near markets, residential areas, university campuses.
  • Look for bustling places with local patrons.

Markets & Food Halls

Shopping Malls

Many modern shopping malls have extensive food courts with a variety of options.

Find convenience and variety, from local snacks to international fast food.

International Cuisine

Available in larger commercial centers. Find Japanese, Korean, Western fast food, and casual dining.

Options for diverse tastes and preferences.

Niche Dining Concepts

Hot Pot

A popular communal dining experience.

Bbq

Outdoor and indoor places are popular for evening meals.

Regional Cuisine

Investigate several regional Chinese cuisines.

Snacks & Desserts

Tangyuan, mooncakes, and other local sweets.

Special Dietary Considerations

Vegetarian & Halal Options

  • Finding strictly vegetarian or vegan options outside specialized restaurants can be challenging.
  • Clarify if meat broth, fish sauce, or other animal products are present in vegetable dishes.
  • Buddhist vegetarian restaurants ('素食餐厅') are reliable for meat-free meals.
  • Halal restaurants are very limited; find them in areas with small Muslim communities, search for '清真餐厅'.

Kosher & Allergy Info

Kosher Food

There are no known kosher options in Nantong.

Plan accordingly with self-prepared food if needed.

Other Allergies Nuts, Dairy

Communicating severe allergies is challenging due to language barriers and diverse preparation.

Translation cards are strongly recommended for specific needs.

Gluten-Free & Resources

Gluten-Free Dining
Extremely difficult due to wheat reliance.
Cross-contamination is a concern.
Carry phrase cards with clear explanations.
Stick to plain rice and simply cooked vegetables.
Prepare physical and digital phrase cards.
Utilize translation apps (e.g., Pleco) for communication.
General Dining Tips

Explore local markets for fresh ingredients and try different local foods for variety.

  • Be adventurous with area street food.
  • Look for restaurants popular with locals.
  • Consider cooking classes in larger cities for immersion.
Payment Options

Mobile payment apps (WeChat Pay, Alipay) are widely used.

Cash is accepted but less common for small purchases.

Affiliate Resources: Culinary Exploration

Accommodation Search
Local Dining Discovery
  • Trip.com for user-friendly local eatery searches.
  • Explore local food blogs for recommendations.
Food Tours & Experiences
  • GetYourGuide for potential food tours (inquire for Nantong specific).
  • Look for local cooking classes in bigger cities such as Shanghai.

Culinary Experiences

Workshops & Food Producers

Blue Calico Printing

The China Nantong Blue Calico Museum sometimes features simple, hands-on printing activities.

Inquire upon arrival for workshop availability.
Farm Visits & Local Food

Visiting local farms or food producers are not typical tourist offerings.

Possible through specialized arrangements or connections with locals.
Food Festivals & Events

Local seasonal food events or agricultural fairs may occur, related to harvests or seafood seasons.

Check local listings or ask hotel staff during your visit.

Unique Dining & Local Insight

  • Hot Pot (火锅): A popular communal dining experience.
  • BBQ (烧烤): Outdoor and indoor places are popular for evening meals.
  • Regional Chinese Cuisines: Explore diverse Chinese flavors.
  • Street Food: Vendors operate late into the night for snacks.

Language & Community

Language Learning

Nantong is not a main destination for international language learning tourism.

Local schools mainly cater to residents.

Community Tourism

Specific community-based tourism initiatives for international visitors are limited.

Cultural immersion largely stems from independent exploration.

Culinary Highlights

Fresh Seafood

Do not miss the fresh river and sea produce, especially river shrimp and yellow croaker.

Mobile Payments

Use mobile payment apps (WeChat Pay, Alipay) for all types of food purchases; they are widely accepted.

Local Dining

Try local street food and traditional Huaiyang dishes for an authentic culinary adventure.

A Culinary Journey

Nantong's culinary landscape blends delicate Huaiyang flavors with an abundance of fresh seafood.

  • Embrace the communal dining style for an authentic experience.
  • Be mindful of local customs, like not sticking chopsticks upright in rice.
  • For specific dietary needs, prepare translation cards to communicate clearly.
  • Mobile payment is the preferred method for most transactions.
  • Discover local specialties in markets and local eateries.
Best Restaurants in Nantong. Food, Dining, Local Cuisine