Local cuisine has always been an integral component of any community or country and its diversity from region to region depends greatly on the local produce available and the climate of the area. Given the great landmass of the Republic of China, its local cuisine differs from region to region and its diversity has lead to the development of the Eight Cuisines of China also known as the Four Flavours of the country.
Chinese cuisine uses numerous methods of cooking including stewing, frying, steaming, braising and boiling in order to create dishes with diverse textures and tastes that are characteristic of China. Furthermore, the Chinese place great emphasis on presentation and as a result, Chinese dishes are often a true pleasure to see and an even greater pleasure to eat.
One component of the Eight Cuisines of China includes the Cuisine in Suzhou. Known as the ‘Land of Milk and Honey’, Suzhou has developed quite a reputation in both local and international circles for its unique ability to marry usually discordant flavours harmoniously. Locals in Suzhou have developed the practice of making and eating specific dishes during each season and thus, when in Suzhou, tourists and locals alike will have the opportunity to sample some of the finest produce of the season.
Several recommendations in terms of the best dining options in the region can be made for the benefit of travellers who wish to experience fine dining in Suzhou. The De Yue Lou Restaurant, for instance, is the best place to visit for both authentic Chinese dishes as well as a number of international dishes and thus, if the local cuisine is not palatable to your taste, one can opt for more familiar dishes. When in this restaurant, the Singshu Guiye, the Qingchao Xiaren and the Deyue Tongziji are dishes that must be sampled.
For traditional Suzhou cuisine, there is no better place than Xie He Cai Guan and is ideal for dining for both lunch and dinner. Other restaurants include the Shijia which is well known for its Bafei Tang, while Wumen Renjia is renonwed for its Sweet Gruel dish and Babao Ya.
Whether you are staying in a service apartment Suzhou or a hotel, it is worth venturing out from your Suzhou accommodation facility to sample the local cuisine and the central location of Citadines Xinghai Suzhou makes enjoying delectable local delights at local restaurants truly convenient.
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.