Lion Grove Garden Food Map | Authentic Su-Style Cuisine Within a 10-Minute Walk!

Whether you turn left or right after leaving Lion Grove Garden, authentic Suzhou delicacies await. This Lion Grove Garden food guide takes you seamlessly from the rockery maze to the flavors of Suzhou. Recommended dishes near Lion Grove Garden: Sizzling Eel Paste (Xiangyou Shanhu): A theatrical classic of Su-style cuisine. The highlight comes when the dish arrives at your table: the stir-fried eel paste is topped with minced garlic, scallions, and cilantro, then the server pours a small bowl of boiling oil over it. The sizzling sound instantly releases the aromas of garlic, scallion, and pepper across the table. This signature sizzle gives the dish its name, "sizzling oil." Squirrel-Shaped Mandarin Fish (Songshu Guiyu): The most visually stunning showpiece of Su-style cuisine. The magic lies in its presentation: once fried, the fish arches its head and lifts its tail. When the hot sweet-and-sour sauce is poured over it, it makes a squeaking sound like a squirrel. The crosshatch cuts on the fish puff up into distinct pieces during frying, making it look just like a fluffy squirrel—hence the name "squirrel fish." For authentic Suzhou snacks, exit Lion Grove Garden and walk a few hundred meters east along Baita East Road to reach Pingjiang Road. This riverside old street hides plenty of local treats, including Yaba Shengjian pan-fried buns, Jijiao Gala chicken feet, osmanthus cake, and Libai Crab. Eating your way down the street feels like stepping out of a classical garden and into the everyday life of Suzhou.