The combination of Panjin river crab and Panjin rice is the canonical local meal, and autumn is the time to eat it. The river crabs — fattened through the summer in the estuary's nutrient-rich waters — are at their best from late September through November, when the roe fills and the flesh sweetens. They are served steamed, with small bowls of vinegar, ginger, and sugar for dipping, and the local rice is served alongside or underneath.
Restaurants serving this combination are concentrated in the central districts of the city and in the tourist strip around the Red Beach approach road. Prices are lower than Shenyang or Dalian for equivalent quality; a full crab meal for two with rice costs around 150–200 yuan at a mid-range restaurant. The rice alone — available as a take-home product at supermarkets and specialty shops throughout the city — is worth bringing back.