Slender West Lake Hot Spring Resort

This grand place with imposing architecture is perched on the shore of Slender West Lake, its traditional Chinese motifs evoking poetic elegance. Intricate knife skills are evident in the Yangzhou classic of shredded dried tofu dressed in sesame oil and sauces. Braised silver carp head is another crowd-pleaser (pre-order at least a day in advance). Live pipa and Chinese zither performances offer culture enthusiasts an immersive experience.

This long-standing restaurant in Yangzhou enjoys a stellar reputation among foodies from near and far for its Huaiyang cuisine. It has moved many times over the decades, before settling in this nondescript alley in 2023. Home-style classics are its strong suit, such as blanched shredded dried tofu in a savoury sauce drizzled with sesame oil. The sautéed pork intestine is loaded with wok hei and the meat is tender while the sauce is mildly tart.

For over 20 years, this homely noodle joint tucked away in an alley has been building a loyal following for its flavoursome slow-boiled broth, handmade "jumping" noodles kneaded with a bamboo pole, and an array of toppings cooked à la minute. The blanched noodles topped with shrimps, crabmeat and roe are pricier, but worth every penny – a dash of vinegar cuts through the crab's richness and accentuates the shrimps' sweetness.

This no-frills home-style joint has been serving affordable Huaiyang classics for over 20 years, earning acclaim from local food lovers. The traditional lion's head meatballs are prized for their melt-in-the-mouth texture and their perfect ratio of fat to lean pork. The brine-poached goose has firm flesh and robust flavours, as well as a lovely sheen to the skin. The relaxing vibe makes it perfect for a friends' or family get-together.

This hotel restaurant originally served Cantonese fare but later switched to Huaiyang cuisine. Just like its counterparts around the world, the well-appointed room is done out in modern Chinese style. The kitchen is helmed by a formally trained young chef, who expresses his creative take on Huaiyang traditions in his "new three heads": mugwort lion's head pork balls, pig's head terrine with finger lime and fermented sour soup with deboned fish head.

Unlike typical Yangzhou cuisine that is refined and delicate, Yu Cheng specialises in rustic and comforting farm-style fare. The meats cured in-house, including air-dried goose, salted duck, and sausages, are particular crowd pleasers – order a platter to sample a variety of items. Other specialities include cured pork face, braised pork with salted fish, and salted pork ribs with winter melon in claypot, which impart simple but warming flavours.

Over the 30 years it has been in business, this friendly noodle shop has fed generations of Yangzhouese with its signature noodles – either tossed in garlic soy sauce or served with assorted toppings such as shredded pork and pepper, pork and vegetables or vegetables and egg. Cooked to order, every bowl boasts exceptional wok hei and springy noodles. Eat like a local and order yours with pork kidney soup. Their handmade wontons are also popular.