Jinan Shandong, China Travel Guide
Lu Cuisine values freshness, clear broths, and savory flavors. Shandong chefs historically worked in imperial kitchens.
Jinan cuisine uses fresh local ingredients: seafood, vegetables, wheat products, pork, chicken. Tastes are salty, savory, with subtle sweetness or sourness.
Meals are communal. Diners order several plates for everyone at the table to divide.
These are the main utensils. Forks (叉子 chāzi) are available if needed. Avoid sticking chopsticks upright in your rice bowl.
Frequent during meals, especially with alcoholic drinks. "Gānbēi!" (干杯!) means "bottoms up!"
Perhaps Jinan'its most renowned dish. The fish commonly appears like it is jumping.
Find this in most traditional Shandong restaurants.
From nearby Dezhou, popular in Shandong. A whole chicken, tender and flavorful, often falling off the bone.
Look for specialty retailers and eateries selling this.
A slow-cooked pork dish, prepared in a clay pot. The meat softens greatly, soaking up aromatic braising liquid.
Meat becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender and flavorful.
Lao Tze Beer (趵突泉啤酒), Baijiu (白酒 - strong Chinese liquor), various teas, Soy Milk (豆浆).
Jinan Cakes (济南糕点 - traditional pastries), Steamed Buns (包子, 馒头). Find seasonal Mooncakes and Zongzi.
Luxury hotels (Shangri-La, Hilton) house upscale restaurants. Look for dedicated Lu Cuisine places.
Many mid-range restaurants all over the city offer Chinese and several global cuisines.
Street food stalls near markets and train stations. Small noodle and dumpling shops for low-cost meals.
International cuisine is present, mainly in larger shopping malls and areas with expats, like the High-tech Zone.
Find options for various global tastes.
Korean, Japanese, Western fast food chains, and Italian restaurants are typical.
Good for those seeking familiar flavors.
Offers authentic, delicious flavors at cheap prices. Look for visible cooking.
A relaxing cultural break. Enjoy tea ceremonies and folk performances.
Busy local eateries often signal genuineness and good value.
Translation apps or cards aid communication of dietary needs.
A strict gluten-free diet is challenging due to wheat prevalence (noodles, buns, soy sauce).
Stick to simple, naturally gluten-free foods like plain rice.
Carry a Translation card or use apps to explain allergies. Self-catering is a fitting option for strict diets.
Online forums for expats or travelers may offer advice.
Extremely hard to find in Jinan. Guests with kosher needs should bring their own packaged meals.
Awareness for complex dietary restrictions is not elevated in local places.
Seek out dining establishments with views of Baotu Spring or Daming Beside the lake for a scenic meal.
Traditional tea houses offer a cultural experience beyond just drinking tea.
Hot pot (火锅) is a popular eating together. BBQ Skewers (烧烤) for late-night eating outside.
Explore tea houses for a relaxing cultural experience. They offer a break from sightseeing.
A chance to enjoy traditional Chinese tea and cultural performances.
Community-based tourism initiatives are not widely developed for visitors from abroad in Jinan.
Focus on individual exploration of the city's attractions.
For dietary restrictions, writing phrases in Chinese or utilizing a translation app for clear explanations is useful.
Patience and readiness for simpler food choices are aspects to consider when dining with restrictions.
For vegan diets, specify no egg ("wú jīdàn") and no milk ("wú niúnǎi"), explaining no animal products.
Jinan's cuisine is a refined branch of Lu Cuisine, emphasizing freshness and clear broths.
