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Best Food in Nantong (2026)
Nantong's cuisine is defined by its coastal location, with fresh seafood taking center stage. The signature dish is Nantong-style braised sea cucumber, often served with a… 🍜 Must-Try Local Dishes
Nantong's cuisine is defined by its coastal location, with fresh seafood taking center stage. The signature dish is Nantong-style braised sea cucumber, often served with a rich brown sauce. Another local favorite is steamed hairy crab, available in autumn at restaurants like Laozhengxing on Renmin Road.
🏪 Top Street Food Stalls
For authentic street food, head to the night market on Nanjie Street, open from 5 PM to midnight. Try the fried oyster omelet (about 15 RMB) from stall No. 7, or the grilled squid skewers (10 RMB each) from Auntie Li's cart near the south entrance. These stalls are cash-only, so bring small bills.
🍽️ Best Seafood Restaurants
For a sit-down seafood feast, visit Haixian Lou at 88 Binjiang Road, open daily 11 AM to 9 PM. Their steamed fish with ginger and scallions costs around 80 RMB per person. Another excellent choice is Jianghai Yipin on Gongnong Road, known for its spicy crab hotpot (120 RMB per person).
🥟 Where to Find Dumplings
Nantong's soup dumplings (xiaolongbao) are a must-try. Head to Longfeng Dumpling House at 45 Huancheng West Road for a basket of pork soup dumplings (18 RMB for 8 pieces). They are open from 7 AM to 2 PM and again from 5 PM to 8 PM. For a vegetarian option, try the chive and egg dumplings at Suzhou-style Snacks on Nan Street.
🍰 Sweet Treats and Desserts
For a local dessert, try the osmanthus cake at Guihua Gao Bakery, 12 Zhongshan Road, priced at 5 RMB per piece. Another popular sweet is the red bean paste pancake from Wangji Desserts on Renmin Road, costing 8 RMB. Both shops are open from 8 AM to 7 PM.
🍺 Best Evening Food Spots
For a lively evening, visit the food street on Haonan Road, where dozens of restaurants and bars stay open until 2 AM. Try the grilled fish at Yujian Restaurant (around 60 RMB per person) or the spicy crayfish at Xiaolong Xia (50 RMB per pound). The area is well-lit and safe for solo diners.
💰 Budget-Friendly Eats
For cheap meals, visit the food court on the second floor of Nantong Department Store, where a bowl of noodles costs 12-15 RMB. Another option is the university district near Nantong University, where student-friendly restaurants like Mama's Kitchen serve set meals for 20 RMB. Most places accept WeChat Pay.
🚇 Getting to Food Hotspots
Most food areas are accessible via Nantong Metro Line 1. For Nanjie Street night market, get off at Nanjie Station (Exit B). For the Haonan Road food street, take Line 1 to Haonan Station (Exit D). Taxis are also cheap, with most rides within the city center costing under 20 RMB.
that guide's pretty thorough for a general overview but they missed the best thing in nantong imo - the cold drunk crabs (zuixie) at a tiny place called A-San's on Haochi Lane. it's a hole in the wall with like four tables, they soak raw crabs in shaoxing wine and soy sauce for 48 hours, 35 RMB for two. they only do it september through november and you gotta call ahead cause they make maybe 30 portions a day.
also the guide mentions WeChat Pay at budget places but honestly half the street vendors still prefer cash, especially the older ones near the temple. i always keep like 50 RMB in coins and small bills on me when i'm eating around town, saves the awkward moment of them squinting at your phone and waving you off.
one thing i'd add about the Haonan Road area - there's a guy who shows up around 11 PM with a cart of stewed duck parts, like duck tongue and webbed feet, all in this dark soy braising liquid. 2 RMB a skewer and he's usually parked right outside the KFC. perfect drunk food after a few beers at the barbecue places nearby
Nanjie Street night market is solid but honestly the real late-night move is the stretch of food carts near the Sports Center on Taoyuan Road after 9 PM. They set up in the parking lot and the grilled whole squid there is bigger and cheaper than Auntie Li's, like 8 RMB, plus they have this spicy garlic oil you won't find elsewhere. Cash only there too, same deal.
For the osmanthus cake at Guihua Gao Bakery, the one on Zhongshan Road is fine but their original location near the old city wall on Xisi Street makes a better version with more osmanthus and less sugar. It's 5 RMB either way but the texture is fluffier. They close at 6 PM sharp though, not 7, been caught out twice.
Also if you're doing the hairy crab thing, skip the fancy places entirely and go to the temporary market setup behind the vegetable market on Qingnian Road every morning in October. Farmers sell them straight from baskets for like 20 RMB each and you can have them steamed while you wait. Bring your own vinegar though, they don't provide it.
The guide mentions the hairy crab at Laozhengxing but doesn't say you need to book at least three days ahead during peak season. I showed up in October once and got turned away, ended up at a random place on Haonan Road that was honestly better and half the price.
Also if you're near the university district, skip Mama's Kitchen and go to the noodle stall just outside the north gate. It's literally a cart with a tarp roof but the beef noodle soup is 10 RMB and they use actual bone broth, not powder. Opens at 6 PM most nights.
One more thing on the metro tips - the last train on Line 1 is 10:30 PM, not midnight like some apps show. Found that out the hard way and had to walk from Nanjie to my hotel.
3 Days in Nantong: Itinerary 2026
Start your trip in the central Chongchuan District, where most hotels and attractions are clustered. This area is walkable and well-connected by bus, so you can cover a lot witho… 🗺️ Day 1 Overview
Start your trip in the central Chongchuan District, where most hotels and attractions are clustered. This area is walkable and well-connected by bus, so you can cover a lot without wasting time on transit.
🏛️ Morning: Haohe River Scenic Area
Begin at the Haohe River Scenic Area, a historic canal ring lined with pavilions and museums. The Nantong Museum (No. 19 Haohe South Road) opens at 9:00 AM and is free to enter. Spend about 2 hours strolling along the water and visiting the small exhibits.
🍜 Lunch: Local Noodles
Head to Nantong's famous noodle shop, Yipinxiang (No. 88 Renmin Middle Road), for a bowl of shredded chicken noodles. A bowl costs around 20-30 RMB and is filling enough for a midday meal. The restaurant is a 10-minute walk from the museum.
🌳 Afternoon: Langshan Mountain
Take bus No. 5 or a 20-minute taxi ride (about 30 RMB) to Langshan Mountain, the city's highest peak. The entrance fee is 50 RMB, and the climb takes about 1.5 hours. At the top, you'll find the Guangjiao Temple and panoramic views of the Yangtze River.
🌆 Evening: Nantong Old Street
Return to the city center and explore Nantong Old Street (near Zhongnan Department Store). This pedestrian area comes alive at night with street food stalls and souvenir shops. Try the local fried cake (youbing) for about 5 RMB.
🚌 Day 2 Overview
Day 2 focuses on the northern part of the city, including the industrial heritage and a riverside park. Use bus routes 4 or 7 to connect these spots, as they run every 10 minutes.
🏭 Morning: Nantong Textile Museum
Visit the Nantong Textile Museum (No. 1 Gongnong Road, opens 9:00 AM, free admission) to learn about the city's cotton industry. The museum is housed in a restored factory and takes about 1.5 hours to explore. It's a 15-minute bus ride from the city center.
🌉 Afternoon: Sutong Bridge Park
Take bus No. 18 (30 minutes) to Sutong Bridge Park, located under the massive cable-stayed bridge. The park is free and offers great photo opportunities of the bridge and the Yangtze River. Spend an hour walking the riverside trail.
🍲 Evening: Seafood Dinner
For dinner, head to the seafood street on Qingnian East Road, where restaurants serve fresh Yangtze fish. A meal at Jinjiang Seafood Restaurant (No. 66 Qingnian East Road) costs around 80-120 RMB per person. The area is lively with outdoor seating.
🏞️ Day 3 Overview
Day 3 is a relaxed day exploring the southern suburbs and the Yangtze River coastline. Rent a bike or use ride-hailing apps to get around, as buses are less frequent here.
🌊 Morning: Yangtze River Beach
Start at the Yangtze River Beach (Jianghai Beach) in the Nantong Economic Development Zone. It's a 30-minute taxi ride from the city center (about 50 RMB). The beach is free and perfect for a morning walk along the shore.
🏯 Afternoon: Tianning Temple
Visit Tianning Temple (No. 1 Temple Road, free entry), a quiet Buddhist temple with a seven-story pagoda. It's a 20-minute taxi ride from the beach. Spend about an hour here before heading back to the city.
🛍️ Evening: Shopping and Departure
End your trip at the Nantong Department Store (Renmin Middle Road) for last-minute souvenirs like blue calico fabric. The store closes at 9:00 PM. From there, the train station is a 15-minute taxi ride away.
yo this is a solid itinerary, i live in chongchuan and can vouch for most of it. one thing i'd add is that haohe river is way nicer if you go at dusk instead of morning, the lights reflect off the water and the crowds thin out. also for day 2, skip the textile museum if you're short on time, it's a bit dry unless you're really into looms. instead walk the old city wall near the south gate for a more authentic feel, it's free and you can see the canal from above
for day 3, the yangtze river beach is fine but honestly the sand is muddy and there are better spots. head a bit further south to the riverside promenade near langshan, it's not on maps well but you can walk along the water for free and watch the ships go by. about 20 mins taxi from tianning temple, ask the driver for "binjiang lu" and you'll find it
oh and the fried cake at old street is good but i prefer the one from the cart outside zhongnan department store, it's crispier and only 3 rmb. the seafood street on qingnian east road is legit though, jinjiang is solid but try xinghua on the corner for the steamed fish, cheaper and less touristy
i live over near haohe and honestly the best part of day 1 is grabbing a coffee from the little shop on haohe south road just past the museum, it's called qingfeng and they do a decent cold brew for 15 rmb. perfect for the walk. also for langshan, if you go on a weekday morning it's basically empty, i've had the temple to myself before and it's way more peaceful than the weekend crowds
for day 3, instead of the department store for souvenirs check out the small fabric shop on renmin middle road near the old city wall, it's called lantian and they sell proper blue calico by the meter, way better quality than the tourist stuff and the old lady who runs it will show you how they dye it. about 30 rmb for a meter and it makes a great gift
solid plan, i've done this route with visitors before and it works well. one thing i'd tweak is for breakfast on day 2, grab a xiaolongbao place near the textile museum called lao zhen, it's tiny with no english sign but the soup dumplings are insane and like 8 rmb for 8 pieces. also for the sutong bridge park, go later in the afternoon around 4pm, the light hits the cables perfectly and you get a killer sunset over the river. the fried cake tip from the other comment is spot on too, that