Suzhou has seen various seasonal foods come into the market since the beginning of October. It’s right the time to feed yourself with these delicacies that are available in autumn only.
Suzhou Hairy Crabs
Female crabs are in their best in the eighth and ninth lunar month and males after the tenth. Among others, the famous Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs have the nicest flavor.
Recommendable store: Agritainment Resorts in Yangcheng Lake Scenic Spot
Chinese Chestnuts
The Chinese chestnuts grown in Dongshan and Xishan areas by the Taihu Lake are usually ripe in September. There are many ways to eat them: roasted (in sand) with brown sugar, cooked with chicken and pork, etc.
Recommendable store: Xiaoliwang (小栗王)
Osmanthus Food
Osmanthus flower, the city flower of Suzhou, normally burst into full bloom in October. In addition to its sweet fragrance, the osmanthus flowers are good to eat as well. Osmanthus syrup, made from osmanthus flowers and white sugar, is one of the essential ingredients in many local snacks, such as lotus roots stuffed with glutinous rice, osmanthus cakes, etc.
Recommendable store: Xiangxin Eating House
Cangshu Mutton
Among the mutton restaurants that can be seen everywhere in the city, Cangshu Mutton is definitely the best-known one. Butchered alive and cooked to order, the brand mutton best preserves the original flavor of the meat.
Recommendable store: Cangshu Mutton Food Street
Chongyang Cake
Chongyang cakes are a traditional food for Chongyang Festival, also known as Double Ninth Festival. It falls on the ninth day of the ninth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. In Suzhou, Chongyang cake is made from rice flour and sugar, with jujube or red bean paste as the stuffing.
Seasonal Fruits
What’s the fruit that first comes to your mind in October? Persimmons, pomegranates, oranges are all ripe in the season and you can buy fresh seasonal fruits at local farmers’ markets.
Recommendable store: Fengmenheng Street