A while ago, I took a trip to Nanchang. It may not have the most outstanding natural landscapes in China, nor the most unique cultural charms, but when it comes to travel value for money, Nanchang definitely deserves a mention.
Most attractions in Nanchang can be entered for “zero cost,” with the most iconic site, the Tengwang Pavilion, allowing free entry just for reciting the full text of a poem. As for food in Nanchang, it is even cheaper. I visit Changsha at least once a year, and I feel that Nanchang is even more affordable than Changsha, which is known for its great price-performance ratio!
“Jiangxi has the spiciest food in the country” has become an accepted consensus in recent years. Savory, sweet, sour, bitter, and salty—among them all, spicy food possesses a uniquely addictive allure. While being overwhelmed by the spiciness, I continually pledge internally, “This is the last bite,” only to find my chopsticks mysteriously reaching back into the dishes.
However, as a mildly spicy eater by choice, I assure you that there’s no need to recoil in fear of spice! My survival strategy in Nanchang involves two main tactics: first, I often choose creative cuisine restaurants, and second, I quickly make it known that I’m from out of town.
Creative restaurants typically offer milder versions of traditional dishes, making them friendly to those who can’t handle spice but still wish to enjoy Jiangxi cuisine. The second tip is to quickly identify yourself as a non-locals when ordering and often to ask, “Can you make it mildly spicy?”
Similar to Changsha, Nanchang also values fresh ingredients over pre-made dishes. Based on my experience, most meals can adjust the spiciness to accommodate diners. With these two strategies in your pocket, you can enjoy delightful dining experiences in Nanchang just like I did!
You understand my perspective—searching for “restaurants” can be inefficient, so I’ve scouted out six “delicious little streets” in Nanchang for you. Some are great for breakfast, while others buzz with activity at night for late-night snacks. You can simply follow the map for a tasty journey.
**Railway Second Village**
The warmth of local life is evident here.
Nanchang’s most famous “Breakfast Street” is actually Dashi Garden Street, but because it’s so popular for dining, I was told by a local photographer that if you arrive late, you might not even get a meal! Restaurants can be expensive, but I won’t stand in line. Old residential areas are filled with culinary delights, and this rule applies almost everywhere. To have breakfast in Nanchang, I made my way to Railway Second Village.
Once a dormitory for the railway system, it’s about a 10-minute walk from Nanchang Station. The Railway Second Village area has many charming “residential canteens” worth exploring.
**Old Lady Snacks at Cross Street**
📍: Unit 102, Building 2, No. 47 Nantiansan Village, Xihu District
💰: 15 Yuan
With so many breakfast options, the perennial favorite for locals is the combination of mixed rice noodles and clay pot soup. I’ve summarized a straightforward way to gauge the credibility of noodle shops in Nanchang: if the mixed noodles are priced at 3.5 Yuan, that’s a standard price and fairly reliable; if the price is 4 Yuan, it’s slightly high but still acceptable; 4.5 Yuan or more means a significant drop in local patronage, relying heavily on tourists.
This seemingly small difference in price can be an unbearable burden for local residents!
Old Lady Snacks is a very local establishment, often bustling during meal times (they turn tables quickly, so waiting isn’t usually necessary), and they operate 24 hours, providing a delightful sense of endless culinary happiness. A bowl of mixed noodles at 4 Yuan comes with ten types of condiments; it’s neither greasy nor heavy and visually appealing. The rice noodles slide perfectly into your mouth, and the pickled vegetables offer just the right flavor, so you can enjoy them plain without it being too salty—showing that Nanchang’s strong flavors are indeed strategic.
After eating in Nanchang for three days, I noticed that locals have a deep love for century eggs. Boiled in soup, the century egg possesses a much fresher flavor. This bowl of hearty meat and century egg soup costs just 5 Yuan (usually starting at 4 Yuan)—such prices are truly delightful.
The soup needs to be properly flavored to taste good. Shops with high foot traffic often serve undercooked soups too quickly, which is why I suggest avoiding overly popular restaurants when slurping noodles.
**Fatty’s Boiled Dishes**
📍: Building 5, Unit 14, Railway Third Village, Xihu District
💰: 30 Yuan
Nanchang’s boiled dish establishments don’t differentiate between flavors, but when it comes to popularity, Fatty’s Boiled Dishes is definitely a name to remember. When I wandered near Railway Second Village early in the morning, they weren’t open yet. By the time I finished eating, there was already a long queue outside.
If Fatty’s Boiled Dishes is on your wish list, I suggest arriving right when they open; otherwise, you may have to wait a long time, which is unnecessary.
Nanchang locals refuse to equate boiled dishes with spicy hot pot or oden; their boiled dishes are made with marinated broth, and of course, every restaurant’s broth recipes vary. Some ingredients are cooked in the pot for a long duration while others are briefly dipped to be served immediately.
You can speak frankly about the food you purchase with your own money. After trying other places, I think their flavors surpass those of Fatty’s Boiled Dishes. However, I was truly impressed by their hidden menu item: the century egg instant noodles. The instant noodles cooked in dipped broth and topped with crushed garlic and century egg flavors is addictive—I’d gladly have seconds!
**Southern Jiangxi Hakka Seasonal Cuisine**
📍: Southeast 180 meters from the intersection of Erqi West Street and Tianyou Road, Xihu District
💰: 15 Yuan
This is a very popular dim sum shop. The owner is a bride from Ganzhou who married into Nanchang, and their offerings depend on seasonal availability. Many of their rice cakes have a glutinous texture. Let me share some animated photos to give you a sense of the tempting textures they offer.
They usually start queuing around 3 PM, and by 5 PM, they often sell out completely—aside from being hard to find, they have no major faults.
**Railway Savory Pancakes**
📍: 20 meters South from the intersection of Tianyou Road and Zhanqian Road, Xihu District
💰: 5 Yuan
This place I stumbled upon had been running for many years. The savory pancakes are quite similar in style to those from Quzhou, resembling palm-sized cakes. However, the filling was somewhat thin, and the taste was just average. The pancakes are priced at 1-2 Yuan each, which is quite reasonable.
You can find a market nearby filled with various marinated snack shops. Nanchang’s marinated snacks are incredibly famous, with brands like Huangshanghuang being local specialties at the train station. However, when I asked our photographer, he said locals favor the brand Dihuang for barbecued marinated items instead.
From Railway Second Village to Eighth Village, I still need to explore the pork liver noodles. I even saw customers bringing their own loose alcohol to enjoy noodles for breakfast. The sesame multi-layered cake from Wang’s Old Steamed Bun Shop comes out around 5 PM; it’s very popular, so be sure to arrive early to get in line.
**Frog Street**
A concise gem of late-night eats.
Frog Street was originally a small market for frog vendors, bustling with various small stalls. In the past two years, after renovations, it has only increased in popularity. Frog Street is roughly 300 meters long but is packed with high-density eateries.
Shops open during the day, but it’s primarily known for late-night snacks.
**Da Ping Huo**
📍: No. 11, Yuzhang Back Street, Donghu District
💰: 70 Yuan
One of the hottest Jiangxi dishes in Nanchang, both stores are known for long queues. It’s best to get a number online rather than waiting in line.
I found several restaurants on Frog Street to offer authentic spicy Nanchang flavors, dedicated to giving you a firsthand experience of “spiciness as a sensation.” Must-try items include Absolute Spicy Bullfrog, Crab Leg Noodles, and the Roasted Big Chicken Feet, all of which have become staple orders at Jiangxi restaurants.
**Little Wu’s Food Stall**
📍: No. 122, Building 15, Yuzhang Food Street, Donghu District
💰: 85 Yuan
If Da Ping Huo has an outrageous wait time, consider nearby Little Wu’s. This local establishment has been here for 25 years and offers a wide variety of dishes including stir-fry, barbecues, and crayfish. It’s packed every summer with people seeking late-night snacks.
Frog Street has many establishments still on my list, so I’ll have to leave some for my next visit. Ying Sister’s Snacks is another popular spot on Frog Street, where boiled and fried treats are nostalgic for many. Featuring signature “shattered chicken,” I was drawn to try a new-style Jiangxi restaurant when I return to Nanchang. Yuzhang Pig’s Feet King is a significant player in Nanchang’s marinated snacks, with their marinated pig’s feet being particularly spicy and tantalizing—something unique that no one else can replicate. They sell vacuum-packed options as gifts.
A well-known Jiangxi restaurant, Kai Wei Restaurant has many branches, with the main store located on Frog Street. Xiangxiang Bun Shop is an older establishment on Frog Street, offering chewy buns made with fermented dough, which go perfectly when paired with white porridge as a late-night snack.
**Provincial Government Courtyard**
A trendy collection of shops in the community.
The Provincial Government Courtyard is somewhat akin to the embassy areas in Beijing, featuring more than 20 artsy shops including coffee shops, dessert stores, handmade shops, grocery shops, and bookstores—making it one of the trendiest neighborhoods favored by younger generations in Nanchang today.
I’ve heard that landlords who buy first-floor apartments are thrilled, constantly getting inquiries about starting shops. I estimate that the Provincial Government Courtyard will only grow busier in the future.
**Fascinating Café**
📍: Unit 47, Building 69, Beijing West Road, Donghu District
💰: 40 Yuan
Fascinating Café has become my dream store, with its sunny large courtyard and a cute cat that you can pet. The atmosphere for coffee drinking is lovely, and I can only imagine how exquisite it will be when the osmanthus blooms in autumn.
Fascinating hosts SCA certified courses regularly, without a doubt providing a professional experience.
I recommend their hand-brewed coffee, as they use self-roasted beans. The coffee is primarily washed and sun-dried, with lucky beans being processed in a special manner. I chose the Fruit Dou Dou, which had a bright acidity without being sharp, and a very refreshing fruity flavor. They do serve desserts but have limited selections; their focus remains on coffee.
**Qiu Si Wei Sweet**
📍: Unit 101, Building 45, No. 69, Provincial Government Courtyard, Donghu District
💰: 70 Yuan
This dessert shop initially gained popularity for its birthday cakes, and after opening in the Provincial Government Courtyard, it’s been bustling with young ladies coming to check in for various slice cakes, all of which are consistently good-looking.
I ordered a Pandan Raspberry Cake for 28 Yuan; the pandan layer had a very refreshing flavor and the cream was adequately balanced, but the raspberry flavor was somewhat overwhelming. If it had just a little less acidity, I would have loved it even more.
Their use of sugar in the cakes is quite restrained; while it may not satisfy Japanese in terms of sweetness, it’s just right for Chinese tastes. Their signature mango sticky rice cake is quite large, so it’s best to share it with someone else.
**Oh, Cold Orange Workshop**
📍: Unit 102, Building 39, No. 69, Provincial Government Courtyard, Donghu District
💰: 50 Yuan
Another dessert shop in the courtyard, I particularly enjoy the warm and inviting atmosphere at Cold Orange Family Workshop.
Although the space is much smaller than Qiu Si Wei Sweet, you can tell the owner has put thoughtful effort into the decor—the items are homemade, creating an experience like enjoying desserts in a friend’s living room.
I noticed that their desserts are mainly French styled and beautifully presented. The brownie is substantial, perfect for chocolate lovers. They offer drinks too, but no coffee, with dessert prices generally hovering around 30 Yuan, offering high value for money.
There are still many stores in the Provincial Government Courtyard, but they might be hard to locate, not very friendly for those not familiar with the area (like myself), so I recommend coming here for coffee and desserts.
Many have recommended the More.79 Vintage Toy House, which mostly features familiar IPs and is perfect for instant photo opportunities.
For main meals, consider Cloud Star Yunnan Cuisine—be sure to call ahead for reservations. The restaurant Not Heard Yet specializes in sushi; although it’s small, their brain sushi left a deep impression on me.
A bookstore named Nianqing Bookstore currently operates in the courtyard—let’s hope it can last a while longer.
**Camphor Tree Forest**
A residents’ area with zero social media hype.
Though Frog Dam has many food stalls, the queues can be intimidating. To completely steer clear of trendy shops, our local photographer recommended Camphor Tree Forest. This area, once an old factory zone, has been revamped into a creative district, with an impressive concentration of community eateries.
I suggest visiting Camphor Tree Forest at night, as many shops only serve during evening and late-night hours.
**Xu Jun’s Old Soup Shop**
📍: Next to the southwest gate of Jinjia Mountain Community (490 meters from the Qifeng Road Metro Station)
💰: 45 Yuan
In Nanchang, locals are very price-sensitive when it comes to dining since Jiangxi cuisine emphasizes affordable deliciousness. Should prices rise even slightly, they will immediately lose the affection of nearby locals. Xu Jun is dubbed “the Hermès of clay pot soups,” and although its prices are relatively high, locals still frequent it, which is quite unique for Nanchang.
Xu Jun offers a wide variety of soups, with seasonal specialties alongside regular offerings. The most expensive soup, at 248 Yuan per bowl, feels like a luxury in the world of budget-friendly establishments costing around 40 or 50 Yuan per person.
In terms of soups, at Xu Jun, despite the luxurious appearance, it feels somewhat lacking, as they have skimped on the ingredients. My order of pickled radish and old duck soup came with an entire duck leg, making the soup enough for a hearty meal.
Their soup offerings are plenty, and they feature various marinated side dishes. I particularly enjoyed their recommended Jiangxi-style wine-soaked fish, with the fish marinated in rich brewing aromas—perfect when paired with congee.
**Old Glasses Fried Spicy Hot Pot Shop**
📍: Southeast 160 meters from the intersection of Qingshan South Road and Qingshan South Road Support Line
💰: 20 Yuan
This store is located next to Xu Jun, and the owner claims to have been frying here for over ten years. I noticed many residents casually wearing their pajamas and slippers while heading out to grab late-night snacks.
I can only imagine that if I lived above a shop like this, my weight would significantly increase.
The fried snacks in Nanchang remind me of the “Mom’s Fried Skewers” genre from my school days, where everything is fried and then brushed with sauce. The selection of ingredients knows no bounds—this cooking style can make even flip-flops taste good!
Notably, you must try the fried bananas! They have an incredible creamy, smooth ice cream-like texture after frying—so delicious that it had our photographer roaring with delight!
**Nameless Fried Food**
📍: No. 39, Sheshan Road, Donghu District
💰: 35 Yuan
The most famous fried establishment in Camphor Tree Forest is located at the entrance of the Wu Tong Community; they also grew from a stall to a shop.
From 8 PM on, business gets very busy, and although you might have to wait, it’s not the kind of formidable queue found at trendy shops. It’s best to order enough all at once, as with the crowds, waiting for the next round of orders can take quite a while.
The night at Camphor Tree Forest is incredibly vibrant, and many shops are bustling with activity. There’s also Lily Boiled Dishes, which has many branches across Nanchang featuring a comprehensive menu with boiled items, fried snacks, marinated offerings, and desserts—their main store is on Xingxi Bridge Road. The open-air barbecue beside Nameless Fried Food is another popular little spot, where the meat skewers are especially fragrant.
Hong Ge Savory Pancakes is another well-known chain in Nanchang; the store at Wanshou Palace often draws long lines, while the one in Camphor Tree Forest is efficient enough to enjoy fresh pancakes made to order.
**Jewelry Street**
A street for tourists that avoids major pitfalls.
I placed Jewelry Street last on this list knowing that you’re likely to visit, but I also hope you don’t rush there first. Originally, it was a small street for local snacks. With the recent renovations of Wanshou Palace, it has now become one of the most frequented spots in Nanchang, and nearby Jewelry Street has also become a tourist hotspot.
Jewelry Street primarily consists of snack shops, many of which do not have specific names; after walking through once or twice, you’ll pretty much find your way around.
Traditional local white sugar cakes are popular: fried carbohydrate treats at just 1 Yuan each should please anyone, but outside of Jewelry Street, you may find four for 3 Yuan.
Zhang Ji Couple’s Savory Pancakes are delicious, with a thin, crispy skin and juicy leek and meat filling; however, I believe that a pancake priced at 10 Yuan is a bit on the expensive side.
Jiangxi’s own spicy snack brand, Butterfly Flower, also has an outlet at Wanshou Palace. A popular item is their garlic-flavored bean wraps, which I often purchased online; they’re quite oily but delicious and make excellent drinking snacks.
