Songhelou was founded in the 22nd year of the Qianlong reign — it has a long history.
Tips
memory
松 pine + 鹤 crane is a stock pair of Chinese longevity symbols — the name was chosen specifically to wish diners long life. Many Qing-era restaurants and temples used the same auspicious pairing.
Historic Suzhou restaurant on Taijian Alley (太监弄), founded 1757 (Qianlong 22). Its signature 松鼠桂鱼 (Squirrel-Shaped Mandarin Fish) — scored, deep-fried whole, and drenched in sweet-and-sour sauce so the flesh curls like a squirrel's tail — is the canonical dish of 苏帮菜 Suzhou cuisine. A state banquet regular for visiting heads of state.
