Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Changzhou, China

1. Dongting Lake Carp

Delicate and flavorful carp fish from Dongting Lake, served in various ways like steamed or fried. Try it at restaurants around Tianmu Lake.

Local Ingredient: Uses fresh carp from the nearby Dongting Lake
Traditional Preparation: Prepared using traditional Changzhou cooking methods
Paired with Local Wines: Often enjoyed with local Changzhou wines

Famous breakfast item made from soybeans, often served hot with a dusting of sugar. Try it at Xiaodong Road Soymilk Street.

Traditional Breakfast Food: Popular breakfast food in Changzhou for locals and visitors alike
Local Ingredient: Uses fresh local soybeans
Affordable and Delicious: A budget-friendly meal that is also delicious

Soft and fragrant cake made from glutinous rice flour and osmanthus sugar. Try it at the Liangxiu Specialty Store on Zhong Shan Road.

Local Delicacy: A famous local dessert in Changzhou
Fragrant and Sweet: Features the unique flavor of osmanthus flowers
Traditional Recipe: Prepared using a traditional recipe passed down for generations

Fresh and succulent crab from Tianmu Lake, usually served boiled or stir-fried. Try it at restaurants around Tianmu Lake.

Local Ingredient: Uses fresh crab from the nearby Tianmu Lake
Traditional Preparation: Prepared using traditional Changzhou cooking methods
Seasonal Availability: Available during the crab-catching season (spring to autumn)

Transparent and chewy rice noodles in a savory soup, often served with pork or seafood. Try it at the Wuxiang Yuan restaurant on Wenyi Road.

Local Dish: A famous local dish in Changzhou
Unique Texture: Features the unique texture of transparent and chewy rice noodles
Variety of Toppings: Available with a variety of toppings like pork, seafood, or vegetables

Soft and fluffy steamed buns filled with savory pork and broth. Try it at the Yuantong Tang Baozi restaurant on Zhong Shan Road.

Local Snack: A popular local snack in Changzhou
Unique Preparation: Steamed buns are filled with pork and broth, creating a self-contained meal
Affordable and Filling: A budget-friendly and filling snack option

Cold noodles served with a tangy vinegar sauce and topped with pickled vegetables. Try it at the Wuxiang Yuan restaurant on Wenyi Road.

Local Dish: A famous local dish in Changzhou
Refreshing and Spicy: Features a refreshing and spicy flavor combination
Traditional Recipe: Prepared using a traditional recipe passed down for generations

Tender and flavorful pork belly cooked in soy sauce and other spices. Try it at restaurants around Tianmu Lake.

Local Dish: A famous local dish in Changzhou
Slow-Cooked Flavor: Flavor is developed through slow cooking and marinating
Served with Steamed Rice: Often served with steamed rice for a complete meal

Tender and flavorful duck cooked in a clay pot with soy sauce and other spices. Try it at restaurants around Tianmu Lake.

Local Dish: A famous local dish in Changzhou
Slow-Cooked Flavor: Flavor is developed through slow cooking and marinating
Served with Steamed Buns: Often served with steamed buns for a complete meal

Tender fish balls in a flavorful soup. Try it at the Xiaodong Road Fish Ball Street.

Local Snack: A popular local snack in Changzhou
Unique Texture: Features the unique texture of fish balls
Variety of Flavors: Available in a variety of flavors, such as spicy or soy sauce

Fermented tofu with a strong aroma and crispy exterior. Try it at the Xiaodong Road Stinky Tofu Street.

Local Snack: A popular local snack in Changzhou
Strong Aroma: Features a strong aroma due to fermentation
Crispy Texture: Opposite the soft and creamy interior, it has a crispy texture

Flat and chewy rice cake stir-fried with vegetables and sauces. Try it at restaurants around Tianmu Lake.

Local Dish: A famous local dish in Changzhou
Unique Texture: Features the unique texture of flat and chewy rice cakes
Variety of Toppings: Available with a variety of toppings like vegetables, meat, or seafood

Soft and chewy cake made from glutinous rice flour and sesame paste. Try it at the Liangxiu Specialty Store on Zhong Shan Road.

Local Delicacy: A famous local dessert in Changzhou
Fragrant and Nutty: Features the unique flavor of sesame paste
Traditional Recipe: Prepared using a traditional recipe passed down for generations

Tender eel cooked in a flavorful wine sauce. Try it at restaurants around Tianmu Lake.

Local Dish: A famous local dish in Changzhou
Unique Ingredient: Uses eel, a less common ingredient in many cuisines
Served with Steamed Rice: Often served with steamed rice for a complete meal

Sweet and chewy candied hawthorn fruits. Try them at the Xiaodong Road Snack Street.