Zhenjiang cuisine belongs to the category of literati cuisine, which focuses on the artistic conception and the taste from the light flavor. While every dish has its culture, every banquet bears unique allusions. In the past, some scholars and writers would visit the village especially for the famous delicacies. After every meal, they would compose articles praising the fat Jiaoshan Shad, the tender Yangtze Saury, the crispy Dongxiang Long Fish, and the delicious Yangtze Channel Catfish. Besides, there are also the Laba Porridge from Jinshan, the sweet-scented osmanthus-glazed ginkgo from Jiaoshan, the Hundred-Flower Tribute Wine from Hengshun, the Crystal Pig’s Trouters from Yanchun, and the Juicy Crab-egg Bao from the Tongxinglou Restaurant. Mr. Guo Moruo, a famous Chinese writer, once praised, “after enjoying the shad, the unforgettable taste still lingers in the mouth.”
Channel Catfish Meatballs
There are dozens of famous banquets in Zhenjiang, which can be roughly divided into three types. The first kind of banquets reflect the long history and profound cultural heritage in Zhejiang, which include the Qianlong Imperial Banquet, the Three Kingdoms Banquet, the Xinglu Seafood Banquet, and the Dragon and Phenix Banquet. The second kind is the signature feasts that represent scenic spots, historical sites, and local customs of Zhejiang, such as the Jinshan Premium Feast, the Nanshan Longevity Feast, the Buddhist Vegan Feast, the Halal Feast, and the Peasant Feast. The third kind is the feasts that are named with their typical ingredients and dishes, including the Whole-sheep Feast, the Whole-duck Feast, the Feast from the River, the Crab Feast, and the Dim Sum Feast.
Saury in Three Wines
However, the Qianlong Imperial Banquet remains the top among all Zhenjiang banquets. According to historical records, Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty stopped in Zhejiang every time during his six trips to the south of the Yangtze River. Wherever he visited, he would taste all the delicacies and cuisine. By repeatedly sieving through nearly 100 rare dishes in the Qianlong Imperial Banquet, the renowned chefs from Zhenjiang Hotel have improved the dishes with modern cooking methods and local flavors to continue the tradition with the “New Qianlong Imperial Banquet”.
The Qianlong Imperial Banquet
Source: Sea Viewing Tower
The Qianlong Imperial Banquet in Zhenjiang is famous for its exquisite dishes with delicious taste, where four sets of seasonal recipes are dedicated to mid-spring, mid-summer, golden autumn, and winter, respectively. Since its launch in 1982, the special royal banquet has been well received by both domestic specialists and international culinary circles. The banquet has impressed many famous faces, including former Kenyan President Moi, Cambodian Prince Sihanouk, and the renowned writer Jin Yong.
