Nanjing Impressions is a popular restaurant chain based in Nanjing but with outlets all over China. They specialize in Huaiyang cuisine and in particular Jingling (Nanjing) dishes.

Stepping into Nanjing Impressions is as if you have stepped a few hundred years into the past into a traditional inn (客栈). They have paper lanterns hanging in the air and you seat at dark wooden tables and benches. There is also a pavillion where you get to enjoy traditional musical performances.

Huaiyang cuisine centres around meticulous stewing, braising and careful steaming over a low fire. 金牌蜜汁藕 (or caramelised lotus roots), one of Nanjing Impressions' signature dishes, is a fine example of this. The crunchy lotus roots are stuffed with soft fluffy glutinous rice and coated with a delectable sweet sauce made from reducing pear juice. Simple yet superb.