Without traveling far, you can enjoy an authentic taste of Nanjing, the capital city of east China's Jiangsu province, right here in Guangzhou from April 13 to 21 during the Canton Fair period.
The renowned Jinling Hotel in Nanjing and the iconic five-star city-resort White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou have joined hands to present the Jinling Classic Food Festival. The festival kicked off on April 12 at the Flavors of China, a Michelin Guide Selected Restaurant. Nanjing, formerly known as Jinling, was the capital of six dynasties in ancient China.
During the food festival, a chef team from the Jinling Hotel will be showcasing their culinary skills at the Flavors of China restaurant in the White Swan Hotel, serving authentic Jinling Cuisine and Nanjing snacks to guests from around the world.
From cold dishes to hot dishes and dim sum, there are so many options that can tantalize your senses and satisfy even the most discerning palates. More importantly, each dish has a unique story behind it.
The Jinling Salted Duck (金陵古法盐水鸭) is a keystone of Jinling cuisine - part of Jiangsu cuisine and one of the eight culinary styles of China. It was identified as China's geographical indication agro-product in 2012. Located on the south bank of the Yangtze River, Nanjing has a long history of raising ducks. Some historians believe that ducks were raised as livestock in the former capital as early as two thousand years ago. The salted duck is braised using a moist-heat cooking technique to make the meat succulent and leave the skin taut.
The Jinling Salted Duck
The Stewed Meat Ball with Crab Meat (金陵蟹粉狮子头) was invented by a famous chef when Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty (AD581-618) visited Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province. This dish combines quality streaky pork and crab meat. The pork is stewed until all the fat is removed and is then mixed with the fresh crab meat, creating a delightful taste experience. It has been one of the signature dishes served at the Jinling Hotel since its opening 40 years ago.
The Stewed Meat Ball with Crab Meat
The Sweet Cake with Mashed Red Bean (金陵方糕) is made from the finest rice flour and bean paste. The dim sum is as white as frost and has a soft and sweet taste. It has been served at many large-scale state banquets and presented at important events overseas as one of Jinling's special delicacies. The Jinling Hotel logo on the cake has become the identification mark of this snack.
The Sweet Cake with Mashed Red Bean
Other classic dishes include Smoked Mandarin Fish (烟熏鱖鱼), Sweet and Sour Squirrel-Shaped Mandarin Fish (金陵松鼠鳜鱼), Thick Soup of Bean Curd with Ham & Mushroom (文思豆腐羹), Pan-Fried Dumpling Stuffed with Assorted Vegetables (金陵一品锅贴), and more, waiting for you to savor.
By launching the food festival, the White Swan Hotel aims to bring a gourmet feast to diners in Guangzhou and promote the exchange and integration of food cultures between Nanjing and Guangzhou.
Reporter | Monica
Editor | Nan, James
Photos provided to GDToday
