南京夫子庙奥体中心应天大街亚朵酒店 Nanjing Confucius Temple Olympic Sports Center Yingtian Street Atour Hotel

A local chef opened this small shop in an alley to serve traditional Nanjing-style xiao long bao. With slightly thicker skin than their Shanghainese counterparts, these dumplings are depicted by a soupy pork filling that is not fully enclosed within the pleated wrapper. Try the version with local chrysanthemum leaves that impart a unique herbal fragrance; the crab roe version brimming with orange, umami-laden tomalley is also hugely popular.

This much-loved, family-run noodle shop has been around since 1991. In addition to hand-made wontons, it is also famous for lao lu mian: chewy, slippery and squiggly hand-cut noodles served in a dark, soy-based broth perfumed with an array of spices. Consider ordering add-on toppings, such as braised pork intestine, pork sparerib, and soft-poached egg with runny yolk. Expect to share a table at mealtimes.

The young chef-owner learnt his craft from his father, a renowned master in Huaiyang cuisine. At this restaurant, he flaunts solid technique, with his simple, well-made – and competitively priced – Huaiyang fare. The brine-poached pigeon has juicy, silky meat and imparts lingering umami. Check out the chef's recommendations on the blackboard, too. Certain painstakingly made dishes, such as sweet and sour "squirrel" mandarin fish, and eight treasure gourd duck, need to be pre-ordered.

This century-old halal joint always has them queuing up for its piping hot beef potstickers – perfectly shaped crescents with juicy filling and browned, crispy bases. The beef xiao long bao are plump, delicate dumplings generously stuffed with soupy, gingery beef; just be careful the scalding soup doesn't squirt out. Beef wonton soup and an array of cold appetisers are also served. Chefs working behind the glass wall provide lively entertainment.

For over 30 years, this place has been packed with wonton soup lovers throughout the day. The room has seen better days, but regulars clearly don't consider that a deal breaker. Wontons are wrapped on the spot, cooked à la minute and jazzed up by chopped chives. It's worth paying extra to add duck blood curd, intestine or liver to your wonton soup, which goes well with flatbread in either the sweet or savoury variety.

For over 20 years, this neighbourhood shop run by a husband-and-wife team has won the hearts of many with its Nanjing-style duck offal glass noodle soup. Toppings include blood curd, intestine and stuffed tofu puffs. The deluxe version also comes with duck heart and gizzard. The clear duck broth is simmered for hours to develop deep umami. It is even better when the broth is soaked up with duck fat Shaobing flatbread or paired with puffed rice crackers to add some crunch.

Chef Liang's career spans three decades and includes stints at famous establishments in Macau. Here, he gives Cantonese classics a makeover with condiments from his birthplace of Shunde, for instance salted kohlrabi in sautéed baby lobster with radish cake, and Chinese olive kernels in sweet and sour pork. The Cantonese barbecue is a highlight; the crispy-skin chicken with silky, juicy flesh also tends to sell out. Pre-order to avoid missing out.