The spring delicacies of Rudong county, Nantong, Jiangsu province, are fresh and long-lasting.

"My lover never gets tired of eating fried river snails and chives, which are among the most popular spring foods in Nantong. The chives are fatty and the river snails are tender. The chef stir fries them over high heat without heavy seasoning, preserving the freshness and flavor of the ingredients," said a tourist.

Clam is another must-try spring delicacy in the county. Its tender and delicious meat has been praised by many Chinese emperors and scholars throughout history.

A dish stir fried with spring vegetables and shredded meat. [Photo/WeChat account: Nantong Daily]

Nantong Liuqiaowai Restaurant makes delicious dishes using local clams in Rudong county. "While continuing the tradition of Nantong cuisine, our chef has added chicken soup as a base in the traditional teppanyaki, enhancing the layered flavor of the clam dishes," said Chen Liling, the restaurant manager.

There are many local vegetables in Rudong in spring, such as wild celery and Shepherd's purse. The way to eat them depends on personal preference. Some are blanched in boiling water and then chopped and cold mixed, while others are stir fried over high heat and served on a plate. If you add some shredded meat or bamboo shoots, they taste even better.