Nanjing is the city where my university is located, and I have spent many years here. If you want to talk about what snack streets there are, then I have the right to speak.
Snack streets are different from restaurants in that prices are usually cheaper. However, the taste is the same as that of a restaurant, and I have been to many restaurants, but I don’t think the taste of food on the snack street is worse than that in a hotel.
Next, I recommend a few places that are very suitable for tourists, the cost is not too high and the cost performance is not bad!
Confucius Temple Snack Street
Confucius Temple is almost the first stop for all tourists, where Nanjing’s most representative “Qinhuai Eight Wonders” are concentrated, such as duck blood vermicelli soup, xiaolongbao, brine duck, osmanthus sugar taro seedlings, etc., with a complete range of types.
Eating snacks while strolling around the Qinhuai River has a particularly strong atmosphere. This is not only a snack street, but also a famous tourist attraction, when traveling to Nanjing, few people will not visit the Confucius Temple.
Since many tourists don’t know what the food looks like, I would like to introduce it.
Duck blood vermicelli soup
Duck blood vermicelli soup is one of the most representative traditional snacks in Nanjing. The main ingredients are duck blood, vermicelli and tofu, and then added to the broth made from duck bones, the soup is delicious and smooth.
It is usually served with coriander, chopped green onions and a little chili oil, which is both stomach-warming and Nanjing-style, making it a must-try classic snack when visiting Confucius Temple.
Brine duck
Brine duck is a traditional dish in Nanjing and a classic representative of Nanjing snacks. The duck is tender, marinated in spices, cooked in water, and seasoned with a small amount of salt.
The finished product is golden in color, tender and juicy, salty and fragrant in the mouth but not greasy, and has a unique flavor, making it a must-try delicacy for Nanjing people and tourists.
Nanjing Confucius Temple address and transportation guide
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Confucius Temple Scenic Area, North Bank of Qinhuai River, Qinhuai District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China |
| By Subway | Take Metro Line 1 or Metro Line 3 to Confucius Temple Station, then walk to the scenic area. |
| By Bus | Take buses Tourism Line 1, 2, 3, Bus No. 17, 20, 34, etc., and get off at “Confucius Temple” stop. |
| By Car | Navigate to “Confucius Temple Scenic Area” or “Qinhuai River Road”. Parking lots are available nearby, but they may be crowded on weekends and holidays, so plan ahead. |
Confucius Temple has convenient transportation, whether it is by subway, bus or self-driving, it is very suitable for tourists to go shopping and taste Nanjing snacks.
Laomendong Historic District
Laomendong is located in Nanjing’s Qinhuai District and is one of the relatively well-preserved historical and cultural districts in Nanjing, with both ancient architectural style and modern cultural and creative atmosphere.
Not only can you enjoy the architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties, but also a variety of Nanjing specialty snacks and handicraft shops, which are very suitable for tourists to take photos while shopping.
Special delicacies: plum blossom cake, beef potstickers, osmanthus sugar taro seedlings, salted duck cake, etc.
Plum blossom cake
Plum blossom cake is one of the traditional snacks in Nanjing, made with glutinous rice or rice flour as the main raw material, adding sugar and red bean paste and other fillings. The shape of the cake body is mostly plum blossom-shaped, with a delicate and cute appearance.
It is a very popular snack in the Laomendong Historic District and major snack streets in Nanjing, and it is also a must-try delicacy for tourists to take photos and taste.
Beef potstickers
Beef potstickers are one of the classic snacks in Nanjing, which belongs to the fried snack. The filling is mainly made of tender beef mixed with green onions, ginger, and seasonings, the skin is thin and crispy, and the bottom is fried until golden brown, with a crispy texture on the outside and tender on the inside, juicy and fragrant.
Usually eaten with vinegar or hot sauce, it is a delicious snack commonly found in the Laomendong Historic District and Nanjing Snack Street, and is loved by locals and tourists alike.
Address: Taiping South Road and Dashiqiao Street, Qinhuai District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Confucius Temple Scenic Area, North Bank of Qinhuai River, Qinhuai District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China |
| By Subway | Take Metro Line 1 or Metro Line 3, get off at Daxinggong Station, and walk about 10 minutes to the scenic area. |
| By Bus | Take buses Tourism Line 1, 2, 3, Bus No. 27, etc., and get off at “Laomen East Station”. |
| By Car | Navigate to “Laomen East Scenic Area”. Parking lots are available nearby, but they can be crowded on weekends and holidays, so it’s best to plan ahead. |
Laomendong combines culture and cuisine, making it a good place for Nanjing tourists to experience the blend of tradition and modernity.
Lion Bridge Food Street
Located in the Hunan Road business district in the center of Nanjing, Lion Bridge Food Street is a food gathering place loved by locals and tourists alike.
There are a wide variety of snacks here, from traditional Nanjing snacks to innovative specialty snacks, at affordable prices, making it a good place to taste the authentic taste of Nanjing.
Special delicacies: Nanjing roast duck, fried buns, duck fat pancakes, sugar lotus root, beef potstickers, etc.
Nanjing roast duck
Nanjing roast duck is an authentic traditional delicacy in Nanjing, with a slightly different taste compared to Peking duck, focusing more on crispy skin and tender meat, fragrant but not greasy. It is usually made from high-quality duck, marinated in sauce and grilled, with a golden and attractive skin and tender and juicy meat.
Nanjing roast duck is often eaten with pancakes, green onions and sweet noodle sauce, and is a popular signature dish in the Lionbridge Food Street and major Nanjing restaurants, and it is also a must-try specialty for tourists.
Raw fried buns
Pan-fried buns are one of the most popular snacks in Nanjing and Jiangnan. It wraps a delicious meat filling (usually pork or beef) in a thin, soft dough, fried until golden brown and crispy, and remains soft on the top, making it crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, juicy and fragrant.
Pan-fried buns are often eaten with vinegar or hot sauce, and are a popular must-try delicacy in Nanjing snack streets such as Lionbridge Food Street and Laomendong.
Address: Near the junction of Hunan Road and Hanzhong Road, Qinhuai District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| By Subway | Take Metro Line 2 or Metro Line 3 to Hanzhongmen Station, then walk about 5 minutes. |
| By Bus | Take buses No. 5, No. 34, Tourism Line 1, etc., and get off at “Lion Bridge” stop. |
| By Car | Navigate to “Lion Bridge Food Street”. There is a parking lot nearby, but it can be crowded during peak hours, so plan ahead. |
The Lion Bridge Food Street has a lively atmosphere at night, making it very suitable for visiting after dinner or during a night tour, eating while shopping, and experiencing the authentic night market style of Nanjing.
Water tour city food street
Located in Jianye District, Nanjing, Shuiyou City Food Street is a food concentration area in a modern commercial complex, integrating Nanjing’s local snacks and local flavors.
The environment is comfortable and clean, making it suitable for tourists or families who don’t want to be crowded.
Special food: brine duck, beef potstickers, various barbecues, desserts and drinks, etc., as well as some local specialty restaurants, with a variety of choices.
The food here is actually similar to the snack street mentioned above, with everything you need, but the environment is more modern and the overall atmosphere is more comfortable.
Address: In the Shuiyou City Shopping Center, Jianye District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| By Subway | Take Metro Line 2 or Metro Line 10 to Shuiyou City Station, then walk to the destination. |
| By Bus | Take buses No. 50, No. 67, No. 101, etc., and get off at “Shuiyou City Station”. |
| By Car | Navigate to “Water Tour City Shopping Center”. The mall has a parking lot, making it convenient for parking. |
The Water Tour City Food Street integrates eating, drinking and fun, allowing you to enjoy food and visit shopping malls, making it very suitable for family or friends to gather together.
Summary
In conclusion, Nanjing’s snack streets have their own characteristics, whether it is the historic Confucius Temple and Laomendong, or the lively Lion Bridge or the modern Water Tour City, you can taste the authentic Nanjing delicacies. With affordable prices and rich choices, whether you are a first-time visitor to Nanjing or an old Nanjing, you can find your favorite food in these neighborhoods. When traveling to Nanjing, don’t forget to bring a good appetite, shop slowly, eat slowly, and experience the city’s culinary charm!
