ZHUA FAN YU JIAN NANG KEN ROU

The lamb shank pilaf is a true delicacy! The lamb shank is braised until tender and boneless, and the meat separates with a gentle tug. The meat is tender, juicy, and fragrant, and even the cracks between the bones are soaked with the essence of the spices. Served atop a bed of distinct long-grain rice, the golden, glossy rice is coated with the sweetness of carrots and onions, blending with the unique aroma of the lamb. Every bite is incredibly flavorful!

Sisters, I just got back from Nantong! Don't go without doing your research, or you'll easily run into problems. I made a guide, so save it if you like! 🚄 Taking the high-speed train from Jinan to Nantong is so convenient! The city isn't crowded, prices are reasonable, but the cultural atmosphere is very rich. I felt it was a hidden gem. 🏠 I stayed at the Hanting Hotel (Nantong Yuanrong Plaza Haohe Scenic Area Branch), which I highly recommend! It's right across from the subway station, and the terminus of that line is called "Happiness Station," which has a great meaning and is perfect for taking photos. The rooms were clean and spacious, and it's not far from various attractions. 📸 These places I visited are definitely worth it: 1. Nantong Museum Free admission, but I recommend making reservations in advance. The "Ancient Charm of Jiangnan" exhibition hall in the new building is beautiful, and the second floor tells the story of Zhang Jian in detail. Don't forget to visit the Natural History Museum afterward, which has a giant whale skeleton! The Haonan Villa next door costs 10 yuan to enter; it's an old-style villa. The entire museum is like a garden, very pleasant to walk around in. 2. Blue Calico Museum No entrance fee. You can experience the intangible cultural heritage of tie-dyeing. The blue calico handicrafts in the museum are exquisite and photogenic. 3. Dasheng Creative Street The famous name "Nantong" is right here! The street has a strong artistic vibe, with many cafes and boutiques, perfect for leisurely strolling and taking photos. 4. Yixiao Alley Next to the Nantong Museum, the entire alley is covered in graffiti and has many cafes along the way, perfect for a city walk. 🥢 All the food I tried was great: · Sihai Lou: The crab roe buns are a must-order! So much broth, absolutely delicious with ginger and vinegar. The scallion pancakes and tofu pudding are also delicious. · Siyi Pastry Shop: A long-established brand, offering various chewy pastries, also great for souvenirs. · Lao Long Gao (Old Steamed Rice Cake): A huge one for only five or six yuan, with a fermented rice flavor, fluffy and soft. • Chengxiang Lao Zhao's Meat Skewers: Grilled skewers with a sweet sauce, the chicken strips are also quite unique. • Yijiaqiao New Village Snack Street: A local favorite, offering a wide variety of dishes including chicken hot pot, Muzi chicken, fermented rice wine, and fried skewers. • Pilaf Meets Tandoori Meat: Run by a Xinjiang owner, the lamb pilaf is fragrant but not greasy, the big plate chicken is generously portioned, the baked buns are meaty and substantial, and the yogurt is refreshing. Nantong is truly a low-key but very charming city – beautiful scenery, few crowds, and affordable prices, perfect for a leisurely weekend getaway!

Who says Nantong is a food wasteland?! These 4️⃣ amazing little shops made me gain 5 pounds... 🍖 Pilaf meets Tandoori Meat My Xinjiang stomach went wild! The golden pilaf is perfectly cooked, each grain separate, and the sweetness of the onions perfectly balances the richness of the lamb. The lamb skewers are freshly grilled and burst with juice—one bite and you're transported to Kashgar! Remember to add a yogurt for a refreshing and rich flavor! ✨ 📍 Address: Jianghuai Road, Zhongnan Century City ⏰ Opening Hours: 10:30-21:00 🍳 Xiaohui's Home-Style Cuisine The ultimate local Shanghainese restaurant hidden in an alley! Braised mixed fish, so delicious it'll make your eyebrows fall off! Taro stew, so soft and tender it'll melt your heart! A meal for just over 50 RMB per person, you'll be stuffed! The warmth of a family-run kitchen is overflowing! 💫 📍 Address: No. 67 Xuetian Road, Chongchuan District, Nantong City ⏰ Opening Hours: 11:00-14:00, 17:00-21:00 🫓 Chen Ji Small Sesame Cakes A taste of childhood for 3 RMB each! The aroma of sesame mixed with lard, so crispy it crumbles! Baked 3 times a day, you have to be there to get them hot! Local aunties stock up on 10 or more! 🔥 📍 Address: Middle section of Sijie Street, Chongchuan District, Nantong City ⏰ Opening Hours: 06:30-18:00 🧋 Auntie's Milk Tea The pioneer of black glutinous rice milk tea! The glutinous rice is cooked until it becomes gelatinous, clinging to the sides of the cup—super comforting! The milk tea has just the right amount of sweetness, one cup is enough to fill you up! This 10-year-old shop still tastes the same! The retro cup sleeves are perfect for taking photos. 📸 📍 Address: No. 189, South Street, Chongchuan District, Nantong City ⏰ Opening Hours: 09:30-22:00 💌 Tips: ▫️ It's recommended to avoid peak hours for the first two shops, as there will definitely be queues during mealtimes! ▫️ The sesame seed cakes can be frozen for later use; they will remain crispy even after reheating. ▫️ You can choose unsweetened milk tea, as the glutinous rice itself is sweet.

If you're looking for a weekend getaway to a nearby city for food and drinks, I highly recommend Nantong! This pearl of the Yangtze River and the sea is definitely worth it! 1️⃣ Lekou Flatbread: Local uncles start lining up as early as 3 PM, so you can't go wrong with them! The hot, freshly made flatbread is just so delicious 😭 2️⃣ Hand-pulled Rice with Tandoor-baked Meat: The hand-pulled rice is incredibly delicious, the lamb is tender and flavorful, and the handmade yogurt is amazing 😭 The large plate chicken is huge and goes perfectly with rice 🤩 3️⃣ Yulan Fried Skewers: A fried skewer shop that many 90s kids have been eating at since childhood, and it's really clean! The meat skewers display case is kept clean and tidy 👍 I recommend the salted egg yolk chicken strips and stinky tofu ☝️ 4️⃣ Qinzhao Xincun Roujiamo (Chinese hamburger) 🥙 A small stall I unexpectedly found. The chicken tasted just like I remembered from my childhood. The owner said he's always been selling here. Students love their food! 5️⃣ Huopo Xiantiao (Lively and Fresh): An 8-year-old establishment. I prefer their stir-fries to their freshly cooked hot pot 🍲. You can't go wrong with anything they offer 😭 Their milk tea is handmade daily and tastes even better than what you get at a milk tea shop 👍 6️⃣ Chen Ji Xiao Shaobing (Chen's Small Baked Flatbread): Made to order. There's always a long line starting in the afternoon. Eating a hot baked flatbread in winter is pure bliss 😭 7️⃣ Na Gada Iron Pot Stew: Their iron pot stew is as delicious as ever 😭 I love this in winter~ The snacks are also especially delicious! I recommend the fried mushrooms and steamed corn bread! 🤩 8️⃣ Xiaopudong White Cut Chicken 🐔 A small shop in Zhangzhishan Town, recommended by a friend. Freshly cut white cut chicken, dipped in their secret sauce, is incredibly delicious! 🥹 9️⃣ Northeastern BBQ: Go early, otherwise there's a long queue! 🥹 You can eat until you're stuffed for around 40-50 RMB per person! 😂

Nantong is truly a city with a rich historical and cultural heritage, making it a great place to visit. Here's a list of must-see attractions and must-try foods in Nantong! 💥 ✅Classic Two-Day Itinerary Day 1: Nantong Forest Wildlife Park—Tangzha Ancient Town—Nantong Museum—Nantong Haohe Scenic Area Day 2: Nantong Art Museum—Siyuan Garden—Binjiang Park—Pilaf with Naan-Pounded Meat (Zhongnan Century City Jianghuai Road Branch) ✅Must-Try Foods in Nantong 💓Pilaf with Naan-Pounded Meat (Zhongnan Century City Jianghuai Road Branch) 💓Qianyuan Noodle Shop (Zhongnan Century City Branch) 💓Sun Da Bao'er Shop (Nantong Haohe Scenic Area Branch) 💓Lekou Pancake (Huaweiyuan Branch) #Nantong #NantongTourism #NantongFood #FoodDaily #LocalFoodRecommendation #LocalLoves #OffTheBeatenPathTravelDestination #WeekendGetaway