Suzhou enjoys a reputation of paradise for gourmets. Suzhou cuisine is light in taste and sweeter than neighboring Yangzhou’s Huaiyang Cuisine. Each Suzhou course is individually prepared and the highlight is on the use of quality ingredients and attention to detail meaning the dishes are all unique in color, aroma, shape and taste.
Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish
The Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish is a typical traditional as well as most famous dish in Suzhou. It is highly appreciated by guests from home and abroad. The Mandarin Fish is characterized by its lack of bones and the softness of its meat. The head of the fish, its mouth positioned wide open, and the tail bent upwards, gives the overall look of a squirrel. The fish is also cut into spikes resembling the fur. It is finished with shrimp, dried bamboo shoots and a sweet-and-sour sauce and thus the Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish is complete in color, shape, and flavor. The dish tasted crisp and soft, sour and sweet. What is more interesting, when the fried Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish is ready and pored steaming hot bittern, there will be a sound as the squirrel is cheeping.
Steamed White Fish
As the name implies, white fish is white in color. Steamed White Fish is a favorite dish for local people. White fish to be steamed should be carefully selected, and weighing around 0.5 kilogram. The dish is usually prepared with shredded ginger with red and green pepper being delicately used. This dish has a good taste, pleasant texture and an aromatic smell.
Whitebait Soup
Whitebait is a kind of small fish noted for its soft texture. Suzhou locals widely use whitebait as ingredient for cooking. This light, delicious soup is seasoned with ham, bamboo slices, green vegetable leaves, and includes the whitebait’s liver.
Biluo Shelled Shrimp
Biluo Shelled Shrimp is named after Bi Luo Chun tea, one of the finest green tea of China, which is produced in Suzhou. Biluo Shelled Shrimp is prepared using the tea to flavor the shrimp, allowing for a unique taste. To cook this dish, fresh, plump shrimp are shelled, stir-fried and then coated in a light, translucent sauce highlighted by the precious tea leaves.
Little Wonton
Little Wonton is greatly favored by people live in the region of Yangtze River Delta. Little Wonton features almost transparent wrapper, fresh pork filling and aromatic flavor. Little Wonton is often served in a common white ceramic bowl, with egg strips and shrimps to enhance its flavor.