A couple of days ago, I went to Wuxi to see the cherry blossoms. Taking this opportunity, I also wandered around the city, allowing my taste buds to unlock the unique flavors of Wuxi.
In my eyes, Wuxi is quite an understated city in Jiangsu.
It might be because the surrounding cities are too dazzling. Compared to the provincial capital Nanjing, the garden-dominated Suzhou, and the world gourmet capital Yangzhou, Wuxi may not stand out.
But after some quiet investigation, I discovered that this small city once had the highest per capita GDP in the country and was even ranked the top among China’s “Top Ten Most Desirable Cities”.
Moreover, Wuxi’s geographical location is excellent. It is adjacent to Suzhou in the east, connected to Changzhou in the west, borders Zhejiang and Anhui to the south, and has the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal running through it. It’s definitely a place with great feng shui.
Before coming to Wuxi, I had already seen hot topics online saying #Wuxi people really put sugar in noodles#, and #It’s said that after eating in Wuxi for a day, even your voice can turn sweet#, which made me quite curious about Wuxi’s culinary culture.
So I spent 48 hours, eating from breakfast to dinner, diving into the streets and alleys to taste the flavors of Wuxi.
Richly flavored Wuxi spare ribs, soft yulan cakes, and various glutinous rice treats… this city really made me feel overwhelmed by sweetness.
After eating, I also summarized for everyone, dividing it into three major categories—from local breakfast spots, small eateries to glutinous snacks, and made a down-to-earth Wuxi snack guide. You can feast your eyes first and then choose a suitable time to satisfy your cravings.
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Be sure to have breakfast in Wuxi
Street-side shops are not only delicious and affordable but also brimming with local life atmosphere!
Daoxiang Market
Address: No. 422-424 Shui Xiu New Village, Daoxiang Road
When I was a child, I had no interest in markets at all. Unexpectedly, as I grew up, my greatest joy in unlocking new cities is getting up early to visit the morning markets.
The most famous morning market in Wuxi is Daoxiang Market. It is an old-established market located between the three new villages of Daoxiang, Shuixiu, and Xinan.
At the break of dawn each day, you can see groups of uncles and aunties gathering here to pick out fresh “treasures.” This market isn’t very large; walking around the entire area takes less than half an hour.
The inner circle is a farmers’ market, while the outer circle is entirely taken over by grassroots delicacies and specialty snacks from Wuxi.
Make sure to come with an empty stomach because there are so many delicious foods here. The must-eats are as follows:
Xiaohong Cake Shop
Address: 201 Daoxiang Road (inside Daoxiang Market)
Business Hours: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
This shop is located at the entrance of the food market and has been around for over 20 years. It is a well-known local brand in Wuxi.
It’s just a small stall without a storefront. People buy and leave immediately. It’s said that the main pastries change with the seasons; during the New Year, they primarily make spring rolls, and when summer heats up, they make cold noodles and cold skins, with items changing according to the season.
Right now, during the Qingming Festival, it’s the prime time for various types of qingtuan (green rice balls). The stall displays all kinds of pastries, with many flavors. Popular items include qingtuan, double-filled balls, magnolia cakes, sponge cakes… with dozens of varieties to choose from, and affordable too—just four yuan for a large, chewy item.
I bought a savory egg yolk and meat floss qingtuan and an osmanthus cake. The fillings were substantial; a gentle pull revealed the thick meat floss inside. Made with green wheat, the taste is no less than mugwort, with a rich flavor.
Locals passing by every morning also buy a large jizi pancake, freshly fried in oil. The proprietress cuts it open with a crunch, revealing the golden fried egg oozing out. You can smell the aroma before you even take a bite.
Shuixiang Soy Milk
Address: Near 407 Daoxiang Road
While walking around the market, I noticed that many stall owners had a bag of soy milk each, savoring it with great enjoyment. I later found the source of this soy milk at the entrance of the market.
It’s called Shuixiang Soy Milk, a brand locals have been drinking since childhood.
Their soy milk is freshly ground from Northeastern soybeans. After grinding, it is packed in plastic bags for easy takeaway.
There are plain and sweet flavors, costing three yuan for a large bag. They make as much as they sell, and if you’re late, you probably won’t get any.
This large bag of soy milk was enough for both me and the photographer, Xiao Yun. The soy milk was still warm in our hands.
The taste was fragrant and rich, and paired with the qingtuan from Xiaohong Cake Shop, it made for a satisfying and budget-friendly meal.
Zhuqin Snacks Little Wontons
Address: In the alley beside Jianghai Supermarket, Shuixiu Market, Daoxiang Road, head 50 meters north
Business Hours: 5:30 – 20:30
I always thought Shanghainese were the biggest fans of wontons, but after touring Wuxi, I discovered that the VIP title in the wonton world truly belongs to Wuxi. Here, almost every household makes their own wontons.
Every morning, various wonton stalls can be found in the streets and alleys, offering both large and small, meat and vegetarian wontons. The people of Wuxi have a special love for wontons.
Zhu Qin Snacks is tucked away in a small alley next to Daoxiang Market. The store’s sign is quite old, indicating its long-standing presence.
Inside, a few aunties divide the work clearly: some pick vegetables, others chop fillings and wrap wontons, some boil water. Each person is busy from early morning, never taking a break. I heard that they sell over 100 kilograms of wonton wrappers daily, and the broth they use is a meticulously prepared bone broth.
Fortunately, there wasn’t a long line when I arrived. I ordered a bowl of shepherd’s purse and pork wontons, which arrived at the table shortly. The cooked wontons were plump, resembling chubby ceramic dolls.
With a gentle bite, the thick filling was revealed. Their wontons are notably large, requiring three or four bites to consume one. The shepherd’s purse and pork blend together, creating a delightful flavor.
I also tried the seasonal shepherd’s purse wontons; one big bite and the freshness almost made my eyebrows lift with delight.
Xu Aunty’s Egg Pancakes
Address: Street-side shop at No. 5-1 Xiaoyuan, Daoxiang Road
Business Hours: Starts at 5:00
Xu Aunty’s egg pancake stall has been near Daoxiang Market for decades. Many people have been eating from this stall since they were little. When we visited, it happened to be a rainy day. I thought there wouldn’t be a line, but to my surprise, the weather did not dampen the food lovers’ enthusiasm.
Some queued to buy for others, purchasing several portions at once, significantly lengthening the wait time. If you want to try, I recommend going as early as possible.
However, it’s no longer Xu Aunty making the pancakes; I’ve heard she has passed the craft on to her apprentice.
My favorite is the double-egg with fried dough sticks and pork tenderloin. A single large serving is enough to fill up any girl. The pancake’s exterior is very thin, while the inside is coated with sweet sauce, true to old Wuxi flavors.
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Hidden in the Street Corner: The Little Fly Restaurant
Home to the most authentic Wuxi flavors
Wuxi cuisine, known primarily for its sweetness, led me to ask Baidu #Why do Wuxi people like sweet food?#.
Got such an answer
It makes sense; Wuxi has always been a fertile land of fish and rice. Additionally, in ancient times, cane sugar was a precious commodity, and those who could afford to eat sweet dishes were usually wealthy families. Thus, being able to enjoy sweet dishes became a symbol of wealth. Over time, Wuxi cuisine naturally evolved into the sweetest in the Taihu Plain region.
On this visit to Wuxi, I chose three small local eateries that are popular among the locals to give everyone a preliminary recommendation.
Buyan Noodle House
Address: No. 36-18 Xueqian Street
Business Hours: 7:30-13:30; 17:00-19:30
The protagonist of this small shop, Buyan, is well-known among the older generations of Wuxi residents. During mealtimes, local food enthusiasts gather here in groups, earning it the reputation of being a canteen for the locals.
This shop is hidden in a small alley of Xueqian Street in the old town of Wuxi. Without a local guide, tourists rarely come here on purpose. After trying it, I highly recommend everyone to give it a try.
As a native of Shanxi, a province renowned for its noodles, I have always been picky about noodle dishes. Finding a satisfactory bowl of noodles outside my hometown, in terms of both method and toppings, has never been easy.
However, Buyan Noodle House’s Su-style noodles pleasantly surprised me. The shop offers more than a dozen different toppings, including crispy eel noodles, crab roe noodles, pork kidney noodles, and fish-flavored shredded pork noodles. Whether stir-fried, mixed, or served in soup, there are plenty of options to choose from.
I ordered the simplest Yangchun Mixed Noodles, a large bowl for just six yuan. Even without considering the toppings, the noodles themselves stood out. They were tightly rolled and neatly arranged, as if combed with a fine-tooth comb. Remember to stir the noodles quickly after they are served to prevent them from clumping.
The noodles are sweet but not overly so. Taking a bite, you can feel the chewy texture. The mixed noodles are purely vegetarian, but you can add other ingredients according to personal preference.
I also tried a Meat Gluten Ball, which contained a large meatball wrapped in chewy gluten. The meat was hand-chopped, and a bite filled my mouth with savory goodness.
Their two-sided yellow fried noodles are also a signature dish, even hailed as the “Emperor of Noodles.” Due to the labor-intensive preparation, few noodle houses serve it, so fans should definitely give it a try.
In addition to noodles, the small shop retains many traditional Wuxi dishes.
A friend eagerly recommended the Braised Fish Fillet, but unfortunately, I was told that it had sold out because I arrived too late. (They prepare a limited quantity based on daily catch, and once it’s gone, it’s gone.)
Fermented Bean Curd Braised Pork is another must-try traditional Wuxi dish, melting in your mouth.
The area around Buyan Noodle House is also worth exploring, with famous residences such as the Former Residence of Qian Zhongshu, Former Residence of Xue Fucheng, and Former Residence of Gu Yuxiu nearby.
Red Hat Little Diner
Address: No. 112 Xiangyang Road, Nanchan Temple Mall, No. 112-20A (Opposite the Scenic Area Boat Ticket Office)
Business Hours: 10:00-14:00; 16:00-20:00
This small shop is located on Nanchan Temple Food Street. Many friends recommended it, so I decided to give it a try, and I was pleasantly surprised.
Although it’s an internet-famous store, it has gained popularity purely because of its quality. It has been in business for twenty years and has never done any advertising, nor is it listed on any group-buying platforms. The shop isn’t large, with only 7 or 8 tables in total.
The owner is a local from Wuxi, while her husband is from Taiwan, so the dishes are a fusion of Wuxi and Taiwanese cuisine, which is quite creative.
A must-try dish is the Sai To Si. The outer layer is deep-fried, making it super soft to the bite, while the inside is filled with salad-dressed shredded pork and thinly sliced vegetables. Taking a big bite is very satisfying.
This dish is also known as “Coffin Bread” in Taiwan, symbolizing the idea of ‘rising in rank and making a fortune.’ Because of this meaning, almost every table orders it.
The Plum Sauce Pork Ribs are more of a typical Wuxi home-style dish. The sweet and sour plum sauce covers the tender rib meat, and the sauce goes well with rice. The only downside is that it’s quite sweet and can be a bit overwhelming if you eat too much.
The Satay Squid Soup is an old Taiwanese flavor that the owner brought to Wuxi, and the taste is quite authentic.
The cooked squid soup is topped with a generous spoonful of satay sauce. When eating, you need to stir it evenly. The rich satay flavor mixed into the squid soup instantly elevates the dish.
The ingredients inside the soup are also quite rich. Besides squid, it includes enoki mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, and shiitake mushrooms, making it a warm and hearty dish.
It’s worth mentioning that the owner’s wife provides exceptionally enthusiastic service, making this a small shop I’d revisit just for the service.
Taomishui Private Kitchen
Address: 19 Huayuanli, Tangnan Village, Xiangyang Road
Business Hours: 11:00-13:30; 18:30-20:30
Many private kitchens in Wuxi are quite good, and one of the more popular ones is Taomishui Private Kitchen.
The place is tucked away deep in an alley in the Tangnan Village of Xiangyang Road. The owner is quite casual, and the daily menu is written on a blackboard.
The Salt and Pepper Ribs are a must-order here. When served, you can instantly smell a fragrant aroma that makes you want to dig in. Each rib is meaty, crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside, making it a meat lover’s delight.
What left the most lasting impression on me was the Braised Fish Tail. I had been eager to try this dish since I couldn’t find it at the Buyan Noodle Shop, and I finally satisfied this small desire at Taomishui.
Braised Fish Tail essentially refers to braised cod tails. The ingredients are already very tender, and while cooking, the tails have to be flipped several times in the pan without breaking, which is a real test of the chef’s skills.
When the dish is served, the entire fish tail is spread in a fan shape in the bowl. Its color alone looks incredibly appetizing, and the thickened sauce is richly viscous. The fish meat is tender and succulent; just pick up a piece, add a few spoonfuls of sauce, and it’s enough to polish off a bowl of rice easily.
Assorted gluten is a dish made in the style of Shanghai cuisine, using rich oil and dark soy sauce. The ingredients include gluten, wood ear mushrooms, and various other mushrooms, making it very flavorful and sweet, pairing excellently with rice, though it can get a bit cloying if you eat too much.
Sweet, sweet, sweet, sticky, sticky, sticky
Wuxi snacks are truly sweet to the bone!
Sticky green dumplings, sea blossom cakes, large glutinous rice balls, and the must-try Yulan cakes in Wuxi. In the 48 hours I spent eating my way through Wuxi, I was utterly sweetened by the local delicacies. It’s simply a paradise for sticky treat lovers.
Tianfu Zhai (Hui Shan Ancient Town Branch)
Address: 06 Xipu, No.27 Hengjie, Tonghui West Road, Huishan Street, Huishan Ancient Town.
Business hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wuxi people’s stomachs are not just sweet; they love sticky treats too. Open any review app, and you’ll see many cake shops, including the century-old Huayanqiao cake shop and Fengshou cake shop near Chong’an Temple, as well as Tianfu Zhai located in Huishan Ancient Town, all frequented by locals.
Tianfu Zhai is a cake specialty store, with large, cheap cakes. I bought a mix of three flavors for 12 yuan.
The cakes in the store are all colored using traditional wheat leaf juice. They are delightfully sticky, with thin skins and generous fillings, including red bean paste, taro, salted egg yolk, and meat floss—all their signature flavors.
For the best taste, enjoy the cakes fresh. They should not be frozen. If you eat them the next day, you can heat them in the microwave; the packaging they use is microwave-safe.
Mu Guiying Cuisine
Address: 32 Xiangyang Road
Business hours: 7:30 AM – 8:00 PM
The most memorable meal for me was at Mu Guiying. Despite the imposing name, the cuisine is primarily Wuxi style, sweet enough to touch the heart. The stark contrast between the name and the dishes left a lasting impression.
I learned later that the name was chosen because when the store first opened, 90% of its staff were women. Mu Guiying, a heroine from the Yang family, was a symbol of strength and perseverance, much like the hardworking female employees in the store, thus the name “Mu Guiying.”
Mu Guiying is also a time-honored brand in the local area. The older generation often line up to buy cakes there.
I tried their signature Yulan cake and sweet osmanthus taro. The Yulan cake is round and plump, looking quite adorable.
A gentle bite reveals a layer of fried glutinous rice on the outside, enclosing a large pork meatball inside, making “fried dumpling” a suitable description.
It’s called Yulan Cake because originally, magnolia flowers were added as an ingredient. This name gradually spread and became well known.
The Osmanthus Sweet Taro, on the other hand, is too sweet for my liking as a northerner. However, the taro itself is quite soft and glutinous, and it tastes delicate and smooth—just something you can’t eat too much of.
Yipin Plum Blossom Cake (Xinsheng Road Store)
Location: 707 Jiefang South Road (across from Original Flavor BBQ at the intersection of Xinsheng Road and Jiefang South Road)
Business Hours: 9:00-14:30; 17:00-21:00
This plum blossom cake shop has been open for many years in Wuxi. Although the store is small and looks simple, there’s still a long queue every day.
The plum blossom cakes are made to order, and each cake costs 3.5 yuan. There are four flavors: red bean paste, sesame, fresh meat, and vegetable lard.
The fresh meat plum blossom cake has a dense filling. Its exterior looks golden, while the interior contains a large meatball. It’s soft to bite yet chewy.
In addition to these must-visit shops, I found a few nice night markets in Wuxi.
For example, the Nanmen Head Gourmet Street near Nanchan Temple and the Chong’an Temple Pedestrian Street, which is on par with Nanjing’s Confucius Temple, Shanghai’s City God Temple, and Suzhou’s Xuanmiao Temple. You can go there in the evening with an empty stomach to savor some snacks.
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After wandering around tasting, I feel that Wuxi’s traditional delicacies are quite rich, each with its own distinct character and a very down-to-earth appeal.
This city not only offers the sweet romance but also the delicious fresh seafood from Taihu Lake. Moreover, Wuxi’s Yangshan honey peaches are also very famous.
Since it’s now the flower-viewing season, a trip around Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai with a stop in Wuxi might provide everyone with a fresh new perspective on culinary delights.
I’ve posted the Wuxi snack guide for everyone to keep, feel free to save it!
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