I came for the legendary Haimen lamb, but ended up
If you visit Haiman in Jingsu Province, China, you cannot miss the the local mountain lamb! 🐑
📍 Taohua Island · Ba Xi Tang (Yulin Huafu Branch) 【Haimen DIstrict, Jiangsu Province, China】
💰 Avg. Cost per person: ¥150+
✨ First surprise: FREE “upgrade” to a private room!
It was a weekday lunch, so the place was empty. The staff led us straight to a private room! Got the private room experience for the main hall price—total win! 🆙
✨ Coolest ordering system: Point at the FOOD MODELS!
No paper menu. You order by looking at super realistic plastic food models! So visual, a lifesaver for the indecisive. A fun local quirk!
⚠️ Only downside: It was FREEZING inside 🥶
Do places in Haimen not use heating? Had to keep my puffer jacket on the whole meal, and the food got cold way too fast…
We ordered their top 3 must-tries:
1️⃣ 【Haimen Mountain Lamb】CN¥159 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Golden, glossy, and smelled amazing with scallions! The stewed lamb with skin was tender, not greasy, with that classic Southern sweet-savory taste. Zero gameyness! The meat fell right off the bone with chopsticks. 👏
✅ Local pro tip: They say the leftovers are even better the next day! Cook some greens in the leftover sauce—the veggies soak up all the flavor and might even taste better than the lamb! So, take the leftovers home!
2️⃣ 【Crispy Beef】CN¥139 - THE SHOWSTOPPER! 🏆 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
ORDER THIS!!! Came for the lamb, but this dish BLEW MY MIND!
The texture is like a durian puff—the outside has this incredible, shatteringly crisp shell (Maillard reaction!), while the inside is perfectly pink, medium-rare beef that’s SO tender.
There’s no gradual transition from crisp to tender. It’s like the tender beef got armored in a crispy shell, then coated in a sweet glaze. One bite, and I was amazed.
3️⃣ 【XO Sauce Crab Roe with Vermicelli】CN¥59 🌟🌟🌟
Huge portion, could be a carb main. Crab roe + shrimp + egg strips + celery, all boosted by the savory XO sauce. It was good, but just couldn't compete with the two stars above.
🍉 To top it off, the restaurant gave us a complimentary plate of watermelon. Even in winter, free watermelon is an absolute delight!
Went in for the lamb, but my heart (and stomach) was stolen by the Crispy Beef! 🤤
The lamb was delicious as expected, but the beef was an out-of-this-world surprise!
Locals of Haimen, where’s YOUR favorite spot for lamb? Point me in the right direction in the comments!👇
Friends visiting, you gotta check out 「Taohua Island · Ba Xi Tang」! It’s worth it for the Crispy Beef alone!
#chinaadventures #chinaguide #chinafoodie #chinatraveltips #jiangsu
Visiting Haimen in Jiangsu Province is a fantastic opportunity to dive deep into the local culinary scene, especially when it comes to their famous mountain lamb. The stewed lamb, characterized by its tender meat that falls off the bone and its sweet-savory flavor profile, truly reflects the region’s traditional cooking style. However, what surprised me most was the Crispy Beef — a dish that offers a unique textural contrast that delighted my palate. The Maillard reaction on the beef’s exterior creates a remarkably crisp shell, while the inside remains pink and tender, providing a complex eating experience that’s both crunchy and juicy. One notable aspect of dining here is the innovative ordering system based on realistic plastic food models. This not only reduces language barriers but also helps indecisive diners make confident choices by visually selecting their meals. This quirky local charm adds a fun twist to the experience. A practical tip for future visitors: the leftovers from the mountain lamb dish, especially the sauce, transform into an excellent flavor base for cooking greens the next day. This tradition highlights how local flavors can be extended and appreciated beyond the initial meal. While the dining atmosphere was warm in spirit, note that the restaurant’s lack of heating during colder months might be a drawback for some. Bringing a warm jacket is advisable to stay comfortable throughout the meal. To round off the dining experience, the complimentary watermelon served was a refreshing palate cleanser, proving that even small gestures can enhance overall enjoyment. For travelers seeking authentic Jiangsu cuisine with a twist, Taohua Island’s Ba Xi Tang is a spot worth visiting—not only for the iconic Haimen lamb but also for the unexpectedly phenomenal crispy beef and flavorful XO sauce crab roe vermicelli. When you next visit Haimen, don’t miss this gastronomic gem and share your favorite local lamb spots to deepen the culinary exchange!
