Lao huai cheng Monopterus albus noodles (xin huai branch)

A restaurant recommended by locals. I ordered noodles and steamed buns. They were very unique and I was quite satisfied with the food.

A local noodle restaurant highly recommended online, and also highly recommended by locals. I had too high expectations, but it felt average... It's an old chain store, with many stores, so I came to try it when I passed by. I still order at the front desk, and someone will deliver it to my seat after I buy it. There are many people, and they all share tables to eat, so there is no environment to speak of. The special soft-shell noodles, the form is more important than the content, the so-called three-way meal, first a bowl of ordinary green tea, then noodles and soft-shell. The noodles are not handmade noodles, and ordinary clear soup noodles are not as delicious as Suzhou noodles. The soft-shell is the spine of the eel, and there are not many in a small portion. It mainly relies on the side dish onion to support the plate. It is fried very oily, the color is beautiful, and the taste is very ordinary. There is a lot of pepper, and the fresh fragrance of the long eel cannot be tasted. The kidney flower I ordered is also cooked in the same way, but fortunately it is not smelly, so it is still okay. I also ordered the local crab roe soup dumplings, but this one is not bad, and it is worth the price. Although there is not much crab roe, the soup is still very delicious, and the skin is thin. After trying it, only this recommendation is edible. There is no need to come here specially, it is better to go to his small shop at the street corner. The toppings in each shop are also freshly fried, and they all have a wok flavor.

This is a long-established noodle shop. The soft-serve fish noodles are quite famous. Before eating, they will serve a cup of tea to cleanse the mouth, which is quite a ritual.

Exploring Huai'an: Savoring the Tranquility of the Canal Capital Amidst Culinary Delights and Historical Sites When Huai'an is mentioned, the question often arises: "Huai'an? Where is that?" It doesn't possess the opulent grandeur of Nanjing's Six Dynasties era, nor the elegant charm of Suzhou's gardens and ink paintings. It's like a simply bound ancient book, requiring you to quiet your mind, brush away the dust of the world, to truly appreciate the hidden beauty beneath its watery depths. A Bowl of Noodles and an Initial Encounter with the City I knew of Huai'an because of its title as a "World City of Gastronomy," and even more so because it's the birthplace of Huaiyang cuisine. Driving there, my first impression was the city's unhurried pace. The old town was faded, with elderly people chatting under the eaves, their eyes reflecting the peaceful flow of the canal. The new town was spacious and bright, especially the green space in front of the government building, showcasing meticulous modern planning. But the real Huai'an is hidden in the vibrant atmosphere rising from the depths of its streets and alleys. My first stop in this culinary adventure was a bowl of long fish noodles, a traditional Huai'an specialty. In Huaiyang cuisine, eel is called "long fish," an ingredient that tests a chef's skill. The noodles lie smoothly in the rich, white broth, the eel pieces tender yet slightly chewy. The broth is the essence, rich and flavorful without overpowering the original taste of the ingredients. If you prefer a chewy texture, you can order "pulled noodles"; if you prefer a softer texture, the soup noodles are best. One bite, and your taste buds are conquered by this simple yet exquisite culinary experience. Later, I tried the shepherd's purse wontons, the fresh aroma of wild vegetables blooming on my palate; the cattail steamed dumplings were even more amazing, the crisp and tender "Huai bamboo shoots," with their fresh aquatic flavor, a seasonal taste hard to find elsewhere. Of course, there were also some mishaps on the culinary journey. The renowned Wenlou crab roe soup dumplings, though rich in broth when sipped through a straw, felt somewhat lacking in substantial satisfaction; the Wensi tofu, though finely cut, had a slightly bland flavor. This perfectly captures the essence of travel—only by experiencing it firsthand can one truly know what is cherished and what is fleeting. The Echoes of a River and Three Books Upon arriving in Huai'an, I learned that the ink fragrance of three of China's Four Great Classical Novels is intertwined with this land. *Water Margin* was written by Shi Nai'an during the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties while he was seeking refuge here; his disciple Luo Guanzhong, by his side, conceived the grand scheme of *Romance of the Three Kingdoms* on the banks of the Grand Canal; and Wu Cheng'en, the author of *Journey to the West*, was a native of Huai'an. In an instant, the heroism of the Liangshan heroes, the strategies of the Three Kingdoms' heroes, and the fantastical elements of *Journey to the West* seemed to subtly flow in the air of this city. This cannot be simply summarized as "deeply culturally rich"; it is truly a "blessed land" of classical Chinese literature. I visited the ancient town of Hexia. Originally a salt wharf, it now boasts numerous shops lining the streets, exuding a certain commercial atmosphere. But when you step onto the stone-paved road laid during the Kangxi era, listening to the echoes beneath your feet, history awakens. Look at the former fire-fighting waterworks, gaze up at the Zhuangyuan Tower symbolizing flourishing literary talent, and imagine the figure of a great master of febrile diseases in Wu Tang's medical clinic… Strolling through it, you're not buying commodities, but a moment to converse with the past. A Prefectural Government Office: Experiencing a Thousand Years of Official Authority The most impressive place on this trip was the Huai'an Prefectural Government Office. Unlike many newly restored tourist attractions, it possesses a solemn, even slightly oppressive, sense of authenticity. As the largest existing ancient government office complex in the country, it's like a three-dimensional textbook of officialdom. From the "Public Service Brings Clarity" archway in the main hall, to the meticulous trials in the second hall, and then to the living quarters in the rear residence, the layout is astonishingly complete. Wandering through the deep corridors, seeing the cold instruments of torture, the imposing main hall contrasts sharply with the elegance of the rear garden. Ahead lies a living hell, behind lies a living paradise. Seeing the execution platform abolished by Emperor Yongzheng, then the reconstructed Pichang Temple (where Zhu Yuanzhang punished corrupt officials by skinning them alive), and all those various instruments of torture, I couldn't help but feel terrified. At that moment, I understood why there was the injustice of Dou E, who was forced to confess under torture; the mortal body truly couldn't withstand such torment. Walking through the government office, I could almost see countless clerks rushing about, hear the echo of the gavel and the cries of the people. It silently tells a story of power, order, and human relationships, more directly and powerfully than any book. Huai'an, a city that needs to be slowed down. Its charm lies not in skyscrapers, but in the quiet narrative of a bowl of noodles, a book, an ancient street, and an old government office.

🌟[Huai'an 3 Days, 2 Nights] ¥2,000 Per Person‼ ️Slow Life in the Canal City🌊Free Lobster Dinner + Ancient Town Photo Guide📸 Hi~ I'm your treasured travel partner, "Manyoutang"💃 Finally, I'm writing my Huai'an travel guide! The "Canal Transport Capital" is seriously underrated! Canal culture + a crayfish feast + Journey to the West nostalgia: delicious, fun, and not crowded~ Total cost for two: ¥3,920 – a truly worthwhile investment! 👇 📍 Itinerary + Cost Details (Total for Two) Day 1: Journey Through the Grand Canal → Night View of Hexia Ancient Town 🚄Transportation: Nanjing South → Huai'an East High-Speed ​​Rail (1.5 hours) 129 RMB x 2 = 258 RMB 🚗City Taxi + Bus (Full 3-Day Trip) Approximately 200 RMB 🍜Lunch: Old Huaicheng Long Fish Noodles (Caoyun Square Branch) 68 RMB ➡️[Inner Canal Cultural Corridor] Daytime Cruise (Great Value!) 80 RMB x 2 = 160 RMB 🏡Accommodation: Xiyue Hotel, Qingjiangpu District (near the Grand Canal) 328 RMB/night 🍲Dinner: Hexia Ancient Town "Wenlou" Crab Roe Soup Dumplings + Cattail and Pork Balls 120 RMB 🌙Night Tour: Photograph the Lantern-Walled Streets of the Ancient Town 📸 Travel back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties in seconds! Day 2: Journey to the West fans rejoice → Enjoy a crayfish supper as you please ☀️Morning: [Huai'an Prefecture Office] See the ancient yamen layout (60 yuan x 2 = 120 yuan) 🚖Take a taxi to [Wu Cheng'en's Former Residence], a Monkey King photo spot! 40 yuan x 2 = 80 yuan 🍛Lunch: Soft-shelled eel at Shenji Restaurant near the former residence, 100 yuan ➡️Afternoon: Free admission to the Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall (reservations required) 🦞Dinner: Xuyi red lobster (delivered to the hotel!), 238 yuan/4 jin 🏘Overnight: Starway Hotel (Wanda Plaza) in the city, 286 yuan/night Day 3: Sunrise at Hongze Lake → Stock up before departure 🌅5:30 AM Shared ride to Hongze Lake Ancient Weir to watch the sunrise over the Metasequoia forest, 120 yuan 🎫Guyan Scenic Area train tour, 30 yuan x 2 = 60 yuan 🍵Breakfast: Guyan fish noodle soup, 40 yuan ➡️Return to the city to visit the Flower Street Cultural and Creative Park and buy a Huaiyang dim sum gift box, 158 yuan 🚄Return by high-speed rail 258 yuan 💰Budget Allocation Table (Total Expenses for 2 People) Proportion of Item Expenses Transportation 836 yuan 21.3% Accommodation 614 yuan 15.7% Entrance and Entertainment 420 yuan 10.7% Food and Beverage 824 yuan 21.0% Shopping and Souvenirs 158 yuan 4.0% Other Reserves 200 yuan 5.1% Total 3920 yuan 100% 💡Individual Tips: 1️⃣ The Li Canal cruise is more beautiful at night (we switched to a daytime cruise due to weather). The light show is truly magical! 🌉 2️⃣ During crayfish season (May-August), head straight to Xuyi! It's more cost-effective to order takeout during off-peak season! 🦞 3️⃣ Huaiyang cuisine tends to be light, so if you prefer a stronger flavor, remember to bring chili sauce/dipping water! 🌶️ 4️⃣ Book a car in advance to watch the sunrise at Hongze Lake! Didi is hard to get in the wee hours 🚗 ✨"Watery Jiangsu, Pearl of the Grand Canal" truly lives up to its reputation! Perfect for those who enjoy cultural immersion and culinary exploration~ Three days of experiencing the essence of Huaiyang cuisine, with tons of compliments on my social media! 🔥 💗Follow me to unlock more off-the-beaten-path experiences in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai! 👉 #Huai'anTravelGuide #CanalCity #CrayfishFreedom Images and text original © Manyoutang (Homepage features a vlog about Hexia Ancient Town, complete with Hanfu photography locations!)