Wenlou (Beimen Street Branch)
文楼
A century-old landmark at the entrance to Hexia Old Town, famed for crab-roe soup dumplings, which are named a 'China Famous Snack', plus soft-tail eel and other Huaiyang classics
Wenlou dates back to the mid-Qing dynasty and got its name from the literati who often gathered here in Hexia Old Town. Its old brick-and-timber building is one of the town's landmarks. The house specialty, crab-roe soup dumplings, have paper-thin skins and plenty of broth, and they were named a 'China Famous Snack' in 1997. Each costs about 30 yuan. Sip the soup first, then eat the dumpling. Other highlights include soft-tail eel, Pingqiao tofu, dried tofu shreds in broth, and pork meatball soup. The main branch is at 819 Beimen Street, about 100 meters south of the east entrance of the Zhuxiang Street archway; a second branch is on Huaxiang Lane inside the old town. Average spend is about 90 yuan. As a scenic-area restaurant, opinions on the taste are mixed.
Opening hours
6:00-13:30, 17:00-20:30 (per Ctrip)
Nearby sights
- Former Residence of Wu Cheng'en
- Hexia Ancient Town
- Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall
- Huai'an Prefecture Office
- Wentong Pagoda & Shaohu Lake
- China Grain Transport Museum
- Former Residence of Zhou Enlai
- Zhenhuai Tower