The soup dumplings from Jingjiang, the county-level city on the south bank of the Yangtze within Taizhou's municipal area, are among the most prized local specialities in Jiangsu. These are large, delicate parcels filled with hairy crab roe mixed with pork and broth — they arrive at the table resting in a small bamboo basket, the skin so thin it trembles, and eating one requires the careful technique of biting a small hole and sipping the scalding liquid before the skin collapses.
A full order is usually four dumplings, enough for a light lunch alongside a bowl of clear soup. The ones worth eating are made to order and should feel heavy for their size. The best versions appear from October to December when the hairy crab season is at its peak, though good restaurants serve them year-round. Ask your hotel to recommend which places are currently most reliable — the dumplings are widely imitated across the city.