Mountain Delicacies vs. Time-Honored Brands: Get Ready to Eat Till You Drop!

During my recent trip to Ningbo, I walked over 20,000 steps around Tianyi Square, fueled entirely by two amazing restaurants! One was a Zhejiang cuisine eatery specializing in mountain delicacies, and the other a century-old dim sum shop. My wallet survived, but my stomach nearly exploded! ▶️ Yue Shan He · Mountain Delicacies: A Mountain Dweller's Feast Hidden within the mall, this restaurant is a "mountain treasure transporter," with each dish seemingly plucked straight from a bamboo forest! Preserved Pork and Wild Bamboo Shoot Casserole 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 The aroma hits you the moment the lid is lifted! The preserved pork is savory and smoky, the wild bamboo shoots are as crisp as young sugarcane, and the golden broth is so good you could drink three bowls. The guy from Northeast China at our table nearly licked the pot clean... Steamed Egg with Squid 🌟🌟🌟🌟 The steamed egg is so smooth you can see your reflection in it! Chewy squid pieces hide within, launching a surprise attack of seafood umami blended with the fragrance of eggs. Even my grandma would have to praise its comforting taste. Pan-Fried Golden Short-Tailed Sillago 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨ Ningbo locals truly have a knack for frying fish! The skin is crispy like a potato chip, while the flesh is tender and melts in your mouth. A squeeze of lemon juice elevates the freshness to another level. Just be warned, there are quite a few bones, so avoid this if you're impatient! ▶️ Gang Ya Gou: A Century-Old Shop with New Tricks I initially thought this was just a cute, trendy spot, but I was quickly humbled by the wisdom of tradition... Sesame Oil Steamed Wontons 🌟🌟🌟🌟 The steamed wontons are surprisingly even more flavorful than the soup version! The wrappers are thin enough to see through yet remain intact, and the aroma of sesame oil fills your senses. I recommend adding vinegar, otherwise, the fifth one might get a bit rich. Taicai Rice Mantou 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Just how much do Ningbo people love taicai seaweed?! Soft, glutinous millet cakes are coated in crumbled seaweed, creating an addictive sweet and salty combination. Fresh from the steamer, they have a delightful wok hei flavor. Eat them while they're hot, and you could easily devour half a steamer basket. They can get a bit fishy when cold. 💡 Foodie Tips: 1️⃣ Yue Shan He is perfect for groups of 3-4, while Gang Ya Gou is ideal for afternoon tea. 2️⃣ Expect long queues during peak hours on weekends. Try to visit during off-peak times (don't ask how I know). 3️⃣ Gang Ya Gou's tangyuan (glutinous rice balls) are supposedly incredible, but I was too full to try them... Any brave souls willing to take one for the team? Eating in Ningbo is like opening a blind box. Even chain restaurants in malls offer unexpected culinary delights! I recommend wearing stretchy pants...