Clam pancakes. [Photo/WeChat account: ntwgx6]

When visiting Nantong, you won't want to miss the local delicacy from the Yellow Sea: clams. For centuries, clams have been an indispensable part of the local dining experience, offering a burst of fresh flavor that is truly unforgettable.

While clams are available year-round, they reach their peak plumpness and succulence in late spring and early summer, providing a mouthful of juicy goodness with every bite — a quality that has earned them the title of the "world's finest delicacy".

Chefs in Nantong are skilled at preparing clam dishes, employing a variety of cooking styles that have made this "world's finest delicacy" famous far and wide.

One classic dish you can often find in Nantong seafood restaurants is iron-plate clams. The clams are quickly cooked on a high-temperature iron plate, which locks in their fresh flavor and allows diners to fully savor their pure taste.

Tourists enjoy "sea disco" at Xiaoyangkou Resort in Nantong. [Photo/WeChat account: ntwgx6]

Clam pancakes are a traditional snack in Nantong and symbolize nostalgia for the locals. Making clam pancakes is a cherished custom during important festivals and family gatherings. These pancakes feature fresh clam meat as the main ingredient, often combined with pork, loofah, water chestnuts, eggs, and flour. These ingredients are chopped or minced into a batter, which is then pan-fried or deep-fried.

Clams live just a few to several centimeters beneath the sandy beach, creating small air holes on the surface. Fishermen walk continuously on the beach where these holes appear, prompting the clams to rise to the surface. They use small rakes to gather the clams and place them directly into baskets to take home.

Modern enthusiasts have creatively dubbed the rhythmic action of clam harvesting as "sea disco", which has become a unique coastal tourism experience in Nantong. "Sea disco" is a core attraction at Xiaoyangkou Resort, with the best time to enjoy it being from May to October each year.