Jiangnan China: Suzhou - “Venice of the East”

[Google_Gourmet]

Suzhou is another lovely city in the Yangtze River Delta. Interlaced with canals and stone bridges, nicknamed Venice of the East.

Dressing Up is a popular activity here. Seems like half the population is in traditional dress, snapping gigs of portraits and selfies.

SQUIRREL (Mandarin) FISH

One of the most important dishes of the Jiangnan region. A Mandarin Fish is deboned and scored in a crosshatch pattern, dusted, deep fried and covered with a Sweet Sour Sauce. Crispy and crunchy on the outside, tender, flaky and moist inside. The finished dish resembles a squirrel’s bushy tail, hence the name.

We had a light lunch set at one of the many restaurants on the canal.

Barely enough room after this light lunch for a Matcha Cone.

Gentleman relaxing and surfing while patiently waiting for his next fare.

We ate simply but well during our 4 day revisit to Suzhou. Off to Shanghai for our final stop.

Will catch up on more Suzhou eats later.

[GretchenS]

Eagerly awaiting the next chapter.

[Google_Gourmet]

A morning stroll enjoying the neighborhood around our hotel.

WON TON for BREAKFAST

PORK WON TON

Dried Sakura Shrimp

SHEPARD’S PURSE WON TON
Fried Egg Shreds

YUEN (MOCHI BALLS)
Pillowy velvety pork filled balls.

A comfortable local breakfast to start the day.

[Google_Gourmet]

A booming two level WET MARKET nearby. Teeming with shoppers vying for the freshest Seafood, Vegetables, Poultry and Meats.

Plethora of SEAFOOD VENDORS

PORCINE PRODUCTS GALORE

I can’t begin to convey the visceral impact of walking through such a vibrant, broad ranging market. So much freshness, variety of new to us offerings. Love it!!!

[klyeoh (Peter)]

If there’s only one restaurant in Suzhou that you must visit, it has to be Song He Lou.

SONG HE LOU ｜ SINCE 1757

Unfortunately, I never got to visit it during my one & only trip to Suzhou, as it was closed for renovations then! I think you’ll have better luck than I did!

[Google_Gourmet]

@klyeoh

restaurant in Suzhou that you must visit, it has to be Song He Lou

Thanks for the rec, Peter.

We’re in Shanghai now. Loved our second Suzhou visit, will surely be back again (and again).

song He Lou added to the must fly list.

[klyeoh (Peter)]

Already in Shanghai! You’ll be very busy there then - it’s such a teeming metropolis. Imagine food-hunting in a city that is 8 times the size of New York.

[Armoise (Denise)]

Wow. Wish I could be there and cook from that bounty!!