Wenlou Huaiyang Cuisine and Huai'an Morning Tea (Hexia Ancient Town)

Wenlou Huaiyang Cuisine and Huai'an Morning Tea occupies a spot inside Hexia Ancient Town, the historic quarter of Huai'an in Jiangsu province, China. The address is No. 67 Huaxiang Lane off Shiban Street, roughly 300 metres from the entrance on the left-hand side, which places the restaurant within walking distance of the old merchant lanes that once served the Grand Canal trade. The cooking follows the Huaiyang tradition, one of the four great regional cuisines of China, known for fine knife work, gentle seasoning and an emphasis on the natural flavour of river and lake ingredients. The restaurant is best known as an old-brand Huaiyang house and a specialist in Huai'an zaocha, the local morning-tea custom in which diners linger over dumplings, noodles and small plates before midday. Signature dishes include Wenlou crab-roe soup dumplings, soft-pocket eel (ruandou changyu), Pingqiao tofu, cattail-vegetable meatballs and loofah served with tea-fried dough twists. Several of these dishes are emblematic of Huai'an itself: soft-pocket eel and Pingqiao tofu are regularly cited as local classics, while cattail vegetable is a regional ingredient prized for its tender stalk. The dining room suits relaxed family meals and visitors exploring the ancient town, with a traditional atmosphere that is busiest during the morning-tea period. Average spending is about 90 yuan (roughly 13 US dollars) per person, placing it in the mid-range for the city. Reservations are possible by phone at 0517-85806560, a number listed on Ctrip, though walk-ins are normal; arriving early for morning tea improves the chance of a table without waiting, especially at weekends and public holidays when Hexia Ancient Town draws day-trippers. Tea or a light beverage accompanies most meals, and no formal wine programme is a focus of the house. Dress is casual and the noise level is lively at peak hours.