Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Rui’an, China

1. Tangyuan (Glutinous Rice Balls)

Sweet glutinous rice dumplings filled with sesame or peanut paste, served in a sweet soup. A traditional treat popular during the Lantern Festival.

Authentic Local Experience: Try this dish at local street food markets like Xiangqiao Snack Street for an authentic taste of Rui'an
Seasonal Availability: Tangyuan are especially popular during the Lantern Festival, usually in mid-February, but can be found year-round.
Variety of Fillings: Choose from sesame, peanut, or red bean fillings to suit your taste.

Delicious dumplings filled with Chinese cabbage and pork, served with a vinegar-soy sauce dip. A popular dish in Rui'an.

Local Specialty: Discover the unique flavor of these dumplings at local restaurants like Donglin Dumpling Restaurant.
Versatile Preparation: Dumplings can be boiled, steamed, or pan-fried – try them all!
Seasonal Ingredients: Enjoy the freshest ingredients during the cabbage harvest season, typically from September to November.

Sea cucumbers slow-cooked in a flavorful broth made with soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. A popular dish in Rui'an seafood restaurants.

Seafood Delicacy: Experience the taste of this delicacy at local seafood restaurants like Shimao Seafood Restaurant.
Health Benefits: Sea cucumbers are known for their health benefits, making them a popular choice in Rui'an cuisine.
Cooking Technique: The slow-cooking process allows the flavors to blend and intensify, creating a unique taste.

Traditional soup made with snake meat, ginger, and vinegar. A popular dish in Rui'an known for its medicinal properties.

Cultural Experience: Sample this unique dish at local restaurants like Xiangqiao Snack Street to gain a deeper understanding of Rui'an culture.
Medicinal Properties: Snake soup is believed to have medicinal properties, particularly for improving circulation and digestion.
Seasonal Availability: Snakes can be found year-round, but their meat is especially tender during the colder months.

Thin, chewy noodles served cold with a tangy sauce made from vinegar and chili oil. A popular street food in Rui'an.

Quick Snack: Liangpi is the perfect snack for a hot day, easily found at local street food stalls.
Unique Texture: The chewy texture of these noodles sets them apart from other types of Chinese noodles.
Versatile Toppings: Choose from a variety of toppings like cucumber, tomato, and peanuts.

A traditional cake made from glutinous rice flour, sugar, and crushed snake bones. A popular treat during the Snake Festival.

Cultural Tradition: Experience a unique aspect of Rui'an culture by trying this cake during the Snake Festival.
Unique Ingredient: The use of crushed snake bones sets this cake apart from other traditional Chinese cakes.
Seasonal Availability: Find the Snake Festival Cake during the Snake Festival, usually in August or September.

Soft, fluffy steamed buns filled with savory pork or sweet red bean paste. A popular snack in Rui'an.

Freshwater carp caught in the Tianjing River, fried and served with a soy sauce dip. A popular dish in Rui'an.

Local Delicacy: Sample this local delicacy at local seafood restaurants like Shimao Seafood Restaurant.
Fresh Ingredients: Enjoy the freshness of these carp, which are caught daily in the Tianjing River.
Cooking Technique: The simple frying process allows the natural flavor of the carp to shine through.

Sweet red bean pudding made from glutinous rice flour and red beans. A popular dessert in Rui'an.

Local Delicacy: Sample this local delicacy at local street food stalls or dessert shops.
Seasonal Ingredients: Red beans are in season from September to November, making this the perfect time to try Tongyu Nian Gao.
Texture and Flavor: The soft texture and rich flavor of this pudding make it a popular choice among locals.

Freshwater fish caught from the Luo River, fried and served with a soy sauce dip. A popular dish in Rui'an.

Local Delicacy: Sample this local delicacy at local seafood restaurants like Shimao Seafood Restaurant.
Fresh Ingredients: Enjoy the freshness of these fish, which are caught daily from the Luo River.
Cooking Technique: The simple frying process allows the natural flavor of the fish to shine through.

Stir-fried snake meat served with ginger and soy sauce. A popular dish in Rui'an.

Cultural Experience: Sample this unique dish at local restaurants like Xiangqiao Snack Street to gain a deeper understanding of Rui'an culture.
Unique Ingredient: The use of snake meat sets this dish apart from other stir-fried dishes.
Spice Level: Adjust the level of spiciness to suit your taste by adding more or less chili.

Snake marinated in wine and served with a sweet and sour sauce. A popular dish in Rui'an.

Cultural Experience: Sample this unique dish at local restaurants like Xiangqiao Snack Street to gain a deeper understanding of Rui'an culture.
Unique Ingredient: The use of snake meat sets this dish apart from other dishes.
Marination Process: The marination process allows the flavors to blend and intensify, creating a unique taste.

Freshwater shrimp caught in the Tianjing River, stir-fried with garlic and ginger. A popular dish in Rui'an.

Local Delicacy: Sample this local delicacy at local seafood restaurants like Shimao Seafood Restaurant.
Fresh Ingredients: Enjoy the freshness of these shrimp, which are caught daily in the Tianjing River.
Cooking Technique: The simple stir-frying process allows the natural flavor of the shrimp to shine through.

Fresh vegetables harvested from the Luo River banks, stir-fried with garlic and soy sauce. A popular dish in Rui'an.

Local Delicacy: Sample this local delicacy at local restaurants like Shimao Seafood Restaurant.
Fresh Ingredients: Enjoy the freshness of these vegetables, which are harvested daily from the Luo River banks.
Cooking Technique: The simple stir-frying process allows the natural flavor of the vegetables to shine through.

Soup made from carp caught in the Tianjing River, served with a soy sauce dip. A popular dish in Rui'an.

Local Delicacy: Sample this local delicacy at local seafood restaurants like Shimao Seafood Restaurant.
Fresh Ingredients: Enjoy the freshness of these carp, which are caught daily in the Tianjing River.
Cooking Technique: The slow-cooking process allows the flavors to blend and intensify, creating a unique taste.