Many visitors to Nanjing think there's nothing to eat here besides salted duck and duck blood vermicelli soup. In fact, Nanjing is a hidden foodie city: flavors are savory, fresh and slightly sweet, portions are generous, and the old alleys buzz with local life. This guide covers breakfast, duck dishes, snacks, main courses, food streets and tips to avoid tourist traps. If you want to head straight to the food after arriving by high-speed rail or plane, book an airport/station transfer; to customize a foodie itinerary based on your tastes and preferred neighborhoods, use our private custom travel service.
Key features of what Nanjing locals love to eat
Nanjing food is down-to-earth, never gets boring, and suits all ages. Rooted in Huaiyang cuisine, it leans savory with a hint of sweetness—not as fiery as Sichuan or Chongqing dishes, nor as mild as Cantonese cooking. Beef potstickers, roast duck, soup dumplings, and red bean tangyuan are easy for first-time visitors to enjoy.
The image above shows a full Huaiyang banquet table. Nanjing flavors are savory with a touch of sweetness—keep this overall impression in mind. (illustrative)
Nanjing is known as China's Duck Capital: salted duck for its pure flavor, roast duck for its braised aroma, duck blood vermicelli soup for its rich broth, and duck fat shaobing for its fragrance. The most authentic tastes hide in old lanes like Nanhu Lake, Kexiang, Mingwalang, and Laomendong; on the main street of Confucius Temple, just enjoy the night views, not the meals. To plan how to link sights and food stops, see our Guide to Nanjing's Top Attractions, or hire a private guide for the stories behind the spots and book a private car to hop between them.
The photo above shows an alley in Laomendong Ancient Street. Authentic snacks hide in the old lanes of southern Nanjing rather than on the main street of Confucius Temple.
Watch the video above to get a feel for Nanjing's food scene, then refer to the breakfast and duck lists below. Store locations and wait times are subject to on-site conditions.
Nanjing breakfast must-eat list
Covers noodles, chewy rice treats, soup noodles, and flaky pastries. If you arrive early at the train station or airport, book a station transfer first to Kexiang or Mingwalang, then walk into the alleys.
Beef potstickers
The face of Nanjing breakfast: crescent-shaped, crispy on the bottom and tender inside, bursting with juice in one bite. Locals typically pair potstickers with a bowl of soup—a mix of dry and wet that fills you up for just over ¥10. Stick to established halal shops and avoid suspiciously cheap "bargain potstickers."
The photo above shows potstickers paired with glass noodle soup—this dry-and-wet breakfast combo is how locals eat.
pork rind noodles
Pidu is deep-fried pork skin—fluffy and great at soaking up broth. The soup is rich and savory, the noodles are chewy, and it's usually topped with pork liver, shredded pork, and greens. Add a spoonful of local chili oil for extra aroma. Around ¥15–20 per person. Many old shops cluster around Mingwalang.
The photo above shows the toppings and greens for pork rind noodles. The broth-soaked pork skin is the soul of this dish.
Duck blood vermicelli soup
A signature dish of the city. An authentic broth should be slow-simmered with old duck, turning milky white. The duck blood is tender, the duck intestines are crisp, and the glass noodles soak up the soup. Flavors at tourist spots and chains differ greatly from traditional shops, so go for a local favorite.
The photo above shows a full serving of duck blood vermicelli soup. The broth should be slow-simmered with old duck, though chain restaurants may vary.
Duck fat flaky pastry
The dough is mixed with duck fat, folded repeatedly, and baked until flaky, with a salty and slightly sweet taste. Eat it plain or dip it in duck blood vermicelli soup. About ¥3–5 each.
The photo above shows the flaky layers of a freshly baked duck fat pastry. Eat it plain or dip it in duck blood vermicelli soup.
The complete guide to eating duck in Nanjing
Each cooking style has its own charm. If you're short on time and want to hit several shops at once, follow an established Nanjing group tour itinerary, or add duck shopping and sightseeing to a custom private trip.
![[Dreaming of Jinling 6 Days 5 Nights] Confucius Temple + Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum + Presidential Palace + Linggu Temple + Meiling Palace + Xuanwu Lake + Nanjing City Wall + Yangzhou Morning Tea + Slender West Lake + Ge Garden + Daming Temple, no shopping stops](https://us-east-cdn.greentourasia.com/image/20260428/O6yIxZ/zhongshanling.jpg?x-oss-process=image/resize,w_164/quality,q_80/format,webp)
[Dreaming of Jinling 6 Days 5 Nights] Confucius Temple + Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum + Presidential Palace + Linggu Temple + Meiling Palace + Xuanwu Lake + Nanjing City Wall + Yangzhou Morning Tea + Slender West Lake + Ge Garden + Daming Temple, no shopping stops
[Quality Promise] Custom private trips, butler service, and an exclusive journey! [Top Attractions] Highly rated spots including Ge Garden, Dongguan Street, Slender West Lake, Daming Temple, Confucius Temple, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, Linggu Temple, and Meiling Palace! [Comfortable Stays] Choose between 4-star and 5-star hotels! [Transportation Guarantee] Dedicated staff ready to meet your needs throughout the trip! [Bonus] One bottle of branded mineral water per person per day!
The card above is our live "Dreamlike Jinling" multi-day route, which includes stops in Nanjing and Yangzhou. For a shorter trip toward Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum or Niushou Mountain, see the Jinling 2-day tour. Food-focused itineraries are best handled through custom trips with transfers.
Salted duck
Juicy and flavorful without being greasy, and best eaten cold. Buy it freshly sliced to order; avoid factory vacuum-packed versions (they tend to be salty and tough). Old shops like Jinhongxing on Kexiang always have lines.
The photo above shows chopped Nanjing salted duck. Served cold, it better preserves its original savory flavor.
Nanjing roast duck
Unlike Peking duck, Nanjing roast duck is all about mixing the gravy with rice. The skin is crispy and the meat is juicy. Once sliced and drizzled with gravy, it goes perfectly with rice.
The photo above shows Nanjing roast duck plated with gravy. The focus is on mixing the gravy with rice rather than dipping it in sauce like Peking duck.
Must-try snacks in Nanjing
Jinling soup dumplings
Usually served pleats-down, these have thin skins filled with plenty of savory, slightly sweet broth. How to eat: nibble a hole, sip the broth, then eat the filling to avoid burning your mouth. Locals often recommend Jiming Tangbao and Xu Jianping Tangbao.
Meihua gao (plum blossom cake)
Baked in copper molds, they're crispy outside with plenty of red bean paste inside. Lu's in Laomendong and Master Zuo's on Kexiang are popular picks. Best eaten hot.
The photo above shows freshly baked meihua gao plated on a tray. Eat it hot for a crispy crust and soft, chewy center.
Tangyumiao (sweet taro dessert)
Soft taro in a thick lotus root starch soup, drizzled with osmanthus honey—sweet and warming. Commonly found in Laomendong and at Lianhu Gaotuan Shop.
The photo above shows tangyumiao, a sweet taro dessert with osmanthus syrup—a warming Jinling treat for autumn and winter.
Huozhuzi (optional)
A partially incubated duck egg, a local nourishing delicacy. If you can't stomach it, just skip it—it won't affect your Nanjing food experience. Commonly found at street stalls (judge the hygiene and freshness yourself).
The photo above shows huozhuzi served with chili and garlic. Skip it if it's not for you—no need to follow the trend.
Main dishes: impressive for group dining
Jinling double stinky (shuangchou)
Crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside stinky tofu stir-fried over high heat with thoroughly cleaned pork intestines. It smells a bit pungent but tastes great—a good pick for bold eaters or drinking sessions.
The photo above shows the Jinling "Double Stinky" stir-fry platter. It smells a bit funky but tastes great—perfect for adventurous eaters.
Squirrel-shaped mandarin fish
A Huaiyang banquet dish that showcases knife skills, crispy outside and tender inside, drizzled with a sweet-and-sour sauce. A real showstopper when hosting guests. Check the menu at specific restaurants for availability.
Meiling porridge
Slow-cooked with soy milk, yam and rice, it has a light, sweet bean flavor. You can find it at Nanjing Impressions, Laomendong and other spots—a great pairing with savory dishes to cut the richness.
The photo above shows a bowl of Meiling porridge at Nanjing Impressions—an easy add-on when you're sampling everything in one go.
Dongshan braised goose
A Jiangning specialty with firm, braised goose. Eat it fresh or buy some as a souvenir; specific shops and vacuum-packed quality vary by the day.
Food hotspots: eat your way around without detours
Exploring by neighborhood is the easiest approach. If you don't want to hunt for restaurants or need an itinerary tailored to dietary restrictions, leave it to customized travel; for food stops across southern and eastern Nanjing, book a private car; to dive deep into local legends and city wall history, add a private guide.
Laomendong: Nanjing's top snack street
The old street is quiet, with less tourist markup than the main street at Confucius Temple. Pan-fried dumplings, plum blossom cakes, stinky tofu, and flaky sesame cakes are all clustered here. About a 5-minute walk from Wudingmen Station on Metro Line 3 (check the exit on site).
The photo above shows the Laomendong landmark archway. Just walk from Wuding Gate Metro Station to start eating your way through the street.
Kexiang: a budget food street locals love
It has a wet-market feel, and Aunt Xu's Rice Cakes, Master Zuo's Plum Blossom Cake and Jinhongxing Duck Shop draw lines year-round. About a 10-minute walk from Daxinggong Station on Metro Line 2.
The photo above shows the counter at Aunt Xu's Rice Cakes in Kexiang, a popular spot for locals to grab an affordable breakfast.
Mingwalang: the breakfast street
An old alley next to Xinjiekou where you can get pork rind noodles, duck blood vermicelli soup, and stuffed pancakes all in one stop. About an 8-minute walk from Xinjiekou Station on Metro Line 1.
Nanhu: old Nanjing neighborhood life
Many long-established shops in this residential area serve rice cakes, roast duck, and soup dumplings with relatively short lines. About a 5-minute walk from Nanhu Station on Metro Line 7 (check current service on site).
Confucius Temple and the Qinhuai River: night views
Best for night views. Skip full meals on the main street—just sample some rice cakes in the side alleys. You can match this route with the Confucius Temple/city wall section in our Nanjing core attractions guide.
The photo above shows the night view of Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River. Just stroll the main street for the lights and grab a few snacks.
One-stop tasting spots
Nanjing Impressions
A hassle-free choice for first-time visitors to Nanjing: order salted duck, roast duck buns, Meiling porridge, sweet osmanthus taro and more all at once, with consistently good flavors. Many branches—just pick the nearest one. Around CNY 60 per person.
The photo above shows the roast duck buns at Nanjing Impressions—perfect for first-time visitors to Nanjing who don't want to wear themselves out walking (illustrative).
The photo above shows the lantern-hung storefront of Nanjing Impressions. With many branches and consistent flavors, it's a great choice for your first meal.
Minguo Hong Gongguan
Republican-era style Jinling cuisine, great for dates and group dinners. Popular dishes include squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, Jinling double stinky tofu, and Meiling porridge. Around CNY 100 per person.
The photo above shows the lobby of Minguo Hong Gongguan. For a date or dinner, go for the squirrel-shaped mandarin fish and double stinky.
Jiangnan Zao
Upscale Huaiyang cuisine featuring soft-braised eel, lion's head meatballs, Wensi tofu, and more—ideal for business banquets. Around CNY 200 per person.
The photo above shows the empty banquet hall at Jiangnan Zao. For upscale dining, try the braised eel and lion's head meatballs.
Tips to avoid tourist traps & a 3-day food itinerary
Avoid tourist traps: Skip full meals on the main street of Confucius Temple; buy salted duck freshly sliced; be cautious with cheap pan-fried buns; stick to established shops for duck blood vermicelli soup; order the classic version of pork rind noodles; feel free to skip hatched duck eggs. Sample 3-day itinerary: Day 1: Breakfast at Kexiang → pork rind noodles at Mingwalang → afternoon tea and late-night snacks at Laomendong → night views at Confucius Temple; Day 2: Breakfast near Nanhu Lake → buy duck → Presidential Palace / attractions → dinner at Da Pai Dang; Day 3: Duck blood vermicelli soup for breakfast → Niushou Mountain, etc. → souvenirs and departure. To minimize transfers on airport or train station days, use station transfers plus a private car; to bundle food, lodging and transport into one booking, choose custom private travel or a Nanjing group tour.
FAQs
What to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner without repeats?
Breakfast: pan-fried buns / pork rind noodles / duck blood vermicelli soup + duck fat sesame cakes; Lunch: salted duck or roast duck over rice; Dinner: snacks at Laomendong or an all-in-one meal at Da Pai Dang; Snacks: plum blossom cake and sweet taro dessert. Worried about repeating dishes? Let a travel consultant build a custom private trip around your dietary needs.
What's the bare-minimum must-eat list for Nanjing?
Salted duck, duck blood vermicelli soup, beef potstickers, pork rind noodles and plum blossom cake—these five are enough to get the flavor of the city. If you still have room, add roast duck gravy and soup dumplings.
Can you eat at Confucius Temple? How do you avoid tourist traps?
You can enjoy the night views and sample snacks in the alleys, but sit-down meals on the main street aren't recommended. For proper meals, Laomendong, Kexiang, Nanhu or Dapai Dang are safer bets.
Do popular restaurants have long lines? How can I save time?
Jinhongxing and some pan-fried bun and plum blossom cake shops often have long lines during peak hours. Go for an early breakfast to avoid crowds, or combine duck shopping with sightseeing using a private car to minimize backtracking.
How do I head straight to the food spots from the train station or airport?
From Nanjing South Station or Lukou Airport to Kexiang, Mingwalang and Laomendong: if you have lots of luggage, book door-to-door station transfers. If you're also visiting Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum or Niushou Mountain that day, add a private car or check out our group tours.
Group tour, private car, transfer, guide or custom trip — which should I choose?
For a ready-made Nanjing day tour or 2-day tour, pick a group tour; for transport only, book a private car; for station/airport arrivals and departures only, use station transfers; for commentary only, hire a guide; to customize your foodie route, dietary needs and hotel together, go with a custom private trip.
The flavors of Nanjing live in the smoky bustle of its old alleys: a bowl of glass noodles, a steamer of soup dumplings, and a salted duck are enough to brighten your whole day. Use station transfers for arrivals and departures, custom private travel when foodies need to pack up takeout, private car or a group tour to hop between spots, and hire a guide for stories behind the landmarks.