Xitang Ancient Town Food Guide: From Street Snacks to Riverside Meals

Xitang Ancient Town: how to eat the popular local food

Xitang food highlights based on popular reviews: breakfast at Lu's Wontons and Fried Fish Noodles; snacks like Grandma Guan's Stinky Tofu and Lotus Leaf Steamed Pork with Rice Flour; sit-down meals at the riverside Xitang Renjia or a quick bowl of Crab Roe Noodles. Prices, wait times and opening hours are subject to change on site.

If you arrive by high-speed train with lots of luggage, book a station transfer straight to the town entrance so you can explore hands-free; use custom private travel to adjust the pace to your tastes; or hire a private car to shuttle between multiple food stops outside the town.

Watch the short video first to get a feel for the flavors; the guide below covers breakfast → snacks → riverside meals → night tours → tips → routes.

Popular Xitang breakfast picks

Lu's Mini Wontons

Lu's Wontons has operated along the Misty Rain Corridor for years and is a breakfast favorite for both locals and visitors. Cooked to order over a wood-fired stove, the wrappers are thin and the filling fresh, served in a bone broth base; about ¥8–12 per serving. Arrive early to beat the crowds.

The collage shows the shop's signboard and stove. If you haven't dropped off your luggage yet, you can first book a station transfer, then come back and line up for wontons.

Nongtang Noodle House: fried fish noodles

Just outside the scenic area, the Nongtang Noodles fried fish noodles have earned steady praise in recent years, at about ¥13 per bowl. The fried fish topping is crisp outside and tender inside, the alkaline noodles are chewy, and the broth is light—ideal if you prefer milder flavors.

If you'd rather not hunt for restaurants yourself, add your breakfast stop to a customized trip and let a travel consultant reserve a time slot for you.

Sticky rice shumai

Around the Weirong Snacks area you'll often find Sticky Rice Shumai, about ¥10 per basket. The wrappers are thin yet chewy, filled with sticky rice mixed with diced mushrooms and pork; steaming locks the juices inside. The flavor leans savory, and pairing it with seaweed egg drop soup makes a balanced meal. The shop sits outside the busiest zone, so lines tend to be shorter.

The photo shows a close-up of glutinous rice shumai cut open (not the fresh pork filling). If you're traveling with elderly companions who walk slowly, you can hire a private guide to coordinate breakfast timing with sightseeing.

Popular street food bites in Xitang

Granny Guan's Stinky Tofu

For Grandma Guan's Stinky Tofu, look for the original shop on the bluestone road of Beizha Street, about ¥12 per serving. Crispy golden outside and soft inside, topped with a sweet chili sauce that suits all tastes.

You can grab another serving on your way back from an evening stroll. When taking a fixed-route group tour, having free time set aside for snacks makes the experience much more relaxed.

Lao Ma's steamed pork with rice flour in lotus leaf

Lotus Leaf Steamed Pork costs about ¥15 per piece. Pork belly is steamed with glutinous rice in lotus leaves, rich but not greasy. It tastes best hot, and visitors who love chewy textures often come back for more.

A close-up of the dish in a bowl shows its layers. If you're eating at multiple shops, book a private car to pick you up at the town entrance and save time looking for rides.

Shredded radish cake (and Haitang cake)

Freshly fried shredded radish cakes and Haitang cakes on the streets cost about ¥5–6 each. Go for the shredded radish cake if you prefer savory, or the Haitang cake for something sweet. The image below shows a close-up of shredded radish cakes on a wooden tray; buy Haitang cakes freshly made at the stalls.

They taste best when bought right after frying. On family trips where kids might wander off, it's safer to leave the commentary to a privately hired guide.

Osmanthus Gorgon fruit cake

Around the Beizha Street farmers' market, osmanthus fox nut cake can be eaten on the spot or taken home as a gift, about ¥10–15 per box. The cake is soft, chewy and mildly sweet, with a gentle osmanthus fragrance that isn't overpowering.

A look at how this tea snack is typically plated. If you're taking some home, you can book a station transfer in advance to have your souvenirs delivered to the station.

Rice wine popsicle

Rice wine popsicles are common at convenience stores and snack stalls, about ¥5–8. Creamy with a hint of rice wine aroma and very low alcohol content, they're great for cooling off or trying something new. Avoid if you're lactose intolerant.

The packaging and the popsicle itself after unwrapping. Summer means lots of walking, so consider adding cold drink stops to a half-day custom private tour.

Xiandou cake

Xiandou cakes at street dessert stalls start at about ¥4 each, with matcha, red bean and purple sweet potato being the most common flavors. Lightly sweet and bite-sized, they're perfect for refreshing your palate between meals.

Just buy a few pieces in your favorite flavors. If you're short on time, choose a verified group tour and save snacking for the free time portion.

Riverside dining with great value in Xitang

Xitang Renjia

Xitang Renjia is located at 38 Chaonandai, next to the Misty Rain Corridor, averaging about ¥60–80 per person. Riverside seats on the second floor are in high demand, so arrive early before mealtime. Signature dishes include firewood-steamed pork knuckle, steamed white fish, soy-braised river snails and clam tofu pot. The flavors lean toward the rich, soy-heavy Jiangnan style—let them know in advance if you don't eat spicy food.

Dining by the river is perfect for couples and families. For same-day round trips from another city, use station transfers for pickup, and leave mealtime table reservations to a custom private tour.

Qian Yuman Scenic Restaurant

Qian Yuman is at 2 Xiaotongwei on the Yanyu (Misty Rain) Corridor, with an average spend of ¥80+ per person. The second-floor terrace has open views and is a popular spot at night. Menu regulars include free-range eggs, Bama-water braised pork trotters, shrimp and tofu soup, and house-brewed low-alcohol fruit wine. The image below shows the shrimp and tofu soup in a warming pot (illustrative); don't order it by its old name, "Three-Color Shrimp."

The terrace gets crowded in the evening, so try to avoid peak hours. If you only need a guide and not a car, choose guide only; for multi-stop drives, stick with private car.

Qian Miaoyun Crab Roe Noodles

Qian Miaoyun's crab roe noodles are at 18 Tawan Street, from about ¥10 per person. It's a simple meal right on the river: the crab roe noodles are savory without being too salty, tables turn over fast, and it suits solo travelers or anyone who wants to skip a heavy, oily meal.

Close-up of crab roe noodles. For a hassle-free day tour, check out our group tours—you can come here during your free time at lunch.

Street food for a night stroll in Xitang

Soy-braised river snails, a classic drinking snack

Night market stalls: soy-braised river snails are savory and slightly sweet, with one portion enough for 2–3 people. Stick to licensed stalls and avoid unlicensed street vendors.

It's perfect to order one nearby after enjoying the night view of Songzi Laifeng Bridge. When you wrap up your night tour and head back to your hotel, booking a station transfer or a private car is the safest bet.

Wonton and old duck soup pot

Lao Pin Fang: wonton and old duck stew costs about ¥50 per person, located around No. 39 Beizha Street. The duck is tender, the wontons soak up the broth—perfect for autumn and winter evening strolls; portions serve about 2–3 people.

Warm soups are great for families. If you need to adjust dinner times around an older traveler's schedule, use our custom travel service.

Salt and pepper pumpkin and other vegetarian dishes

Qiantang Renjia: salt-and-pepper pumpkin is crispy outside and soft inside, great as a light late-night snack. The window seats at the shop by Yongning Bridge offer night views, and the vegetable dishes balance out richer meat courses.

If you don't eat spicy food, just let them know in advance. When evening crowds make meeting points hard to find, joining a group tour makes gathering much easier.

Tips for buying food and dining in Xitang

Prices and portions

Prices for popular snacks are fairly transparent—avoid overcharging street vendors. For full meals, check the menu first; riverside seats usually don't carry an extra view surcharge. Groups do best sharing dishes, while solo travelers save money ordering smaller bowls.

When buying food, stick to shops that clearly display prices. Your travel consultant can note any dietary restrictions and budget in your custom trip plan.

Night markets and choosing riverside restaurants

At night markets and riverside eateries, pick busy spots with fast table turnover for fresher ingredients; always insist on live, freshly cooked river seafood. The image below shows a riverside restaurant street in Xitang at night as a reference for choosing a spot—it's not a promise of any specific dish.

If you're unsure which restaurant to pick, ask your travel consultant. If you only need station transfers instead of a full package, just book station transfers.

Adjusting flavors to your taste

Jiangnan cuisine leans sweet and savory, with some dishes mildly spicy. If you don't eat spicy food, let them know in advance to skip the chili and cut the sugar. Pair rich, oily dishes with rice wine popsicles or osmanthus Gorgon fruit cake to cut the grease. If you're lactose intolerant, skip milk-based popsicles and go for the Gorgon fruit cake instead.

Xitang food routes by traveler type

Solo day route

Breakfast: Lu's mini wontons → mid-morning: Grandma Guan's stinky tofu + shredded radish pancake → lunch: crab roe noodles → afternoon: euryale cake + rice wine popsicle → late-night snack: soybean paste stir-fried river snails. All snacks and light meals keep your budget in check.

The photo above shows the vibe of the lantern-lit night lanes. Want a fixed meeting point and guided commentary? Check out our group tours. Just need a ride? See private car.

Use the itinerary card above as a day tour reference. Need different flavors or stops? Switch to a custom private trip.

Romantic 2-day food tour for couples

Day 1: Sticky rice shumai → riverside meal at Xitang Renjia → lotus leaf steamed pork with rice flour + Xiandou cake → terrace dinner at Qian Yuman. Day 2: Fried fish noodles → Gorgon fruit cake as a souvenir. A mix of scenery and snacks.

The riverside night view is great for photos. For station transfers over two days and pacing around town, go with custom private travel, or combine station transfers with a private guide.

Family food tour with kids

Breakfast: wontons + sticky rice shumai. Main meals: mild dishes like old duck soup and salt-and-pepper pumpkin. Snacks: Gorgon fruit cake and original-flavor Xiandou cake. Skip anything too spicy, greasy, or deep-fried. Choose restaurants with spacious seating.

Kids and seniors get tired from standing, so book a private car for point-to-point rides, and hire a private guide for commentary.

Xitang souvenir shopping guide

A crowd-pleaser: Gorgon fruit cake

Freshly sliced osmanthus Gorgon fruit cake sold around Beizha Street comes in portable packaging, is moderately sweet and keeps longer than freshly fried snacks. Choose vacuum-sealed packs so it doesn't get damp. The image below shows sliced, plated cake (illustrative), not a specific branded shop.

If you buy a lot of souvenirs, book station transfers in advance to send your bags straight to the station, so you don't have to carry them while exploring the ancient town.

Local cooked food souvenirs

Licensed deli shops sell vacuum-packed braised pork belly and gift boxes of soy-braised meats (whether lotus-leaf steamed pork is included depends on what's available on-site). Look for quality inspection labels and avoid unpackaged bulk items. The image below is a close-up of braised pork belly plating for reference.

Keep cooked food refrigerated when carrying it. For cross-city return trips, using a private car makes it easier to store a cooler box.

Low-alcohol fruit wines and tea snacks

Scenic restaurants like Qian Yuman or other licensed shops offer low-alcohol fruit-flavored yellow wines such as peach blossom wine and mulberry wine. Buy only from licensed shops. The image below shows rice wine and tea snacks at a scenic restaurant (illustrative).

Before giving gifts, confirm whether the recipient drinks alcohol. If planning feels overwhelming, leave it to our custom travel service.

How to book services after eating your way around

Use this guide to sort out breakfast, snacks, riverside meals, and evening dining first, then pick the service you need: to customize flavors and stops, use custom travel; for station transfers only, choose station transfer; for multi-stop shuttles, choose private car; for a guide only, choose hire a guide; for fixed day routes, see our group tour.

FAQ

What popular foods are must-eats in Xitang?

For breakfast, try Lu's Wontons or Fried Fish Noodles; for snacks, grab Grandma Guan's Stinky Tofu, Lotus Leaf Steamed Pork with Rice Flour, or Shredded Radish Pancakes; for meals, head to Xitang Renjia or have a quick bowl of Crab Roe Noodles. Prices are subject to change on site.

Are the lines long for popular snacks?

Stinky tofu and steamed pork with rice flour have long lines during peak hours; going early or off-peak is safer. A travel consultant can fit snack stops into gaps between attractions in your custom itinerary.

How do I book a riverside restaurant?

Riverside tables at Xitang Renjia and Qian Yuman fill up fast, so arrive early or ask your travel consultant for help. If you just need commentary, hire a guide.

How do I get from the high-speed rail station to Xitang Ancient Town?

Getting to Xitang from Jiaxing or Shanghai requires a transfer or a private car, and travel time varies by station. For the easiest trip, book a station transfer straight to the town entrance.

How should a solo traveler plan an eating tour?

For a solo day trip: snacks + crab roe noodles for a light meal to avoid wasting large portions; wrap up your evening tour with a private car or station transfer.

Which option should I pick for hassle-free booking?

For fixed itineraries, see group tours; to customize the schedule and food preferences, see custom private trips; for a vehicle only, see private car; for a guide only, see hire a guide; for station pickups only, see station transfers.