Wenlou soup dumplings are one of the most celebrated items in Huai'an's culinary repertoire: delicate pleated dumplings with thin, almost transparent wrappers, each containing a filling of minced pork and a thimble of rich, gelatinised broth that liquefies when the dumpling is steamed. The technique for eating them — bite a small hole, sip the broth, then eat the rest — is essential to getting the full effect, and the best versions at good restaurants in the old city are worth the experience.
Several restaurants in the old Huai'an district specialise in this style, with the most reputable establishments on or near Huaifu Road. Breakfast is the traditional time for soup dumplings in this region, and early-morning queues at the better spots are a reliable quality indicator. Prices are low.