Food In Pingjiang Road

Food History of Pingjiang Road, Suzhou, China

Pingjiang Road is at the heart of Suzhou and has retained much of its historical ambience. A stroll down this ancient street will not only immerse you in traditional Chinese architecture and culture but also allow you to savor millennia-old culinary traditions. The street is lined with eateries that serve classic Suzhou cuisine known for its light flavors and delicate presentation. Historically, Suzhou's culinary art dates back to the Southern Song Dynasty, where it was influenced by the royal kitchen, evolving over centuries to combine both sweet and savory elements, with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients from the region's lakes and rivers.

Must-Try Top 10 Food Dishes in Pingjiang Road, Suzzhou, China

1. Song Shu Gui Yu (Squirrel-Shaped Mandarin Fish) - Non-Veg: This iconic Suzhou dish comprises a whole fish with a sweet and sour sauce. Its unique presentation mimics the shape of a squirrel.
2. Suzhou-Style Mooncakes - Veg: Unlike the Cantonese versions, these mooncakes have a flaky, pastry-like crust and can be just as sweet or savory, with fillings like red bean paste or assorted nuts and seeds.
3. Biluo Shrimp - Non-Veg: Freshwater shrimp are quickly fried and tossed with Biluochun tea leaves, offering a delicate and fragrant dish that epitomizes local flavors.
4. Taihu Boat Cuisine - Non-Veg: Assorted dishes featuring fresh catches from Taihu Lake, such as whitebait, shrimp, and crab, are cooked in various ways, mostly steamed or lightly seasoned to preserve their natural flavors.
5. Steamed Whitefish - Non-Veg: A simple yet delicious dish where whitefish from local waters is steamed to perfection and often paired with light soy sauces and fresh herbs.
6. Suzhou-Style Noodles - Veg/Non-Veg: Handmade noodles served in a rich broth, complemented with various toppings like marinated tofu, minced meat, or bamboo shoots, depending on your preference.
7. Stuffed Duck with Glutinous Rice - Non-Veg: A festive dish where duck is stuffed with sticky rice, mushrooms, and other savory ingredients, then slow-cooked to infuse the flavors.
8. Sweet Osmanthus Cake (Gui Hua Gao) - Veg: This traditional dessert is made with rice flour and sweet osmanthus syrup, offering a gentle floral sweetness and chewy texture.
9. Vegetable Pot Stickers - Veg: Pan-fried dumplings filled with a mix of vegetables and sometimes tofu, known for their crispy bottoms and steamy, succulent tops.
10. Lotus Root with Glutinous Rice - Veg: Slices of lotus root stuffed with glutinous rice and candied fruits, then simmered in a syrup, bringing a delightful contrast of textures and flavors.

Top Famous Restaurants in Pingjiang Road, Suzhou, China

1. Song He Lou (松鹤楼)
   Address: No.72 Taijian Nong, Guanqian Street
   Famous food: Song Shu Gui Yu (Squirrel-Shaped Mandarin Fish) - Non-Veg
2. De Yue Lou (得月楼)
   Address: 43 Taijian Long, Pingjiang District
   Famous food: Suzhou-Style Mooncakes - Veg
3. Tong De Xing (同德兴点心铺)
   Address: No.728 Shiquan Street, Pingjiang District
   Famous food: Sweet Osmanthus Cake (Gui Hua Gao) - Veg
4. Zhen Pin Xuan (真品轩)
   Address: No. 249 Pingjiang Road, Gusu District
   Famous food: Steamed Whitefish - Non-Veg
5. Lou Wai Lou (楼外楼)
   Address: No. 27 Taijian Long, Pingjiang District
   Famous food: Taihu Boat Cuisine - Non-Veg
6. Xiang Xue Hai (香雪海)
   Address: No. 43 Pingjiang Road
   Famous food: Biluo Shrimp - Non-Veg
7. Wu Men Ren Jia (吴门人家)
   Address: No.22 Daichengqiao Road, Pingjiang District
   Famous food: Vegetable Pot Stickers - Veg
8. Nan Lin Teahouse (南林茶馆)
   Address: No. 218 Wangtianjing Alley, Pingjiang Road Historic Block
   Famous food: Suzhou Noodles - Veg/Non-Veg
9. Shui Xiang Su (水乡素)
   Address: No.108-109, Shiquan Street, Pingjiang District
   Famous food: Lotus Root with Glutinous Rice - Veg
10. Dai Shu Ge Ge (呆疏哥哥)
    Address: No. 348 Pingjiang Road, Gusu District
    Famous then food: Stuffed Duck with Glutinous Rice - Non-Veg