We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

“Mid-price Suzhou cuisine”

SongHeLou CaiGuan (ShanTangJie)
Ranked #33 of 858 Restaurants in Suzhou
Restaurant details
Reviewed April 16, 2015

We decided to head out somewhere more fancy on our last night in Suzhou, and ended up in this place partly by accident. Menu had pictures and English descriptions, which were needed as the staff did not really speak any English. Staff was very helpful though and we got understood eventually (don't bother going here if you don't feel comfortable without a common language).

Food was very delicious, especially the fish, the beef in sour sauce and dumplings we ordered. Expect to spend about 100 RMB per person for a meal and a large beer.

Date of visit: April 2015
    • Value
    • Service
    • Food
Thank Mari H
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviews (66)
Traveler rating
Traveler type
Time of year
Language
  • More languages

10 - 14 of 66 reviews

Reviewed December 27, 2014

We had dinner here after strolling along Shantang Street. The restaurant is cozy but staff were not so attentive although there were not many people on a Friday evening.

According to our local Chinese friend, Suzhou Cuisine tends to be sweet thus one or two dishes were not so acceptable to us. Other than that, the cold starter and hot dishes such as the famous sweet & sour fish, San Yuan Ti (braised pork belly) and sauteed mushroom which we ordered were good. It was towards the end season of hairy crab so our friend bought some from a reliable seafood shop elsewhere for us to try. The restaurant was willing to cook for us at a fee of RMB20 per piece even though they have hairy crab in their menu.

In terms of price, our friend said this outlet seemed higher as compared to their 1st outlet at Guanqian Walking Street.

Date of visit: December 2014
    • Value
    • Atmosphere
    • Service
    • Food
Thank chanlil
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed September 30, 2014

When showing friends around Suzhou I usually arrive at Shantangjie in time for lunch. The Songhelou provides traditional food with an Attempt at a Suzhou atmosphere. The menu accords to traditional Huaiyang style so it is fit for introducing guests to the culinary delights of Jiangnan food.
The main problem is that the restaurant is a remnant of the old state system so the staff are a bit work shy, even to the point of being rude, they often pretend they don't have a spare table just to save work. They close between 2 and 6 so you must be early.
Still it fits in with the Shantangjie experience so i'll keep going back.

Date of visit: September 2014
    • Value
    • Atmosphere
    • Service
    • Food
2  Thank AlfredC
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed September 11, 2014 via mobile

We had a great meal here - pork, mushrooms, noodles, etc. Pleasant space and decent service (not sure they speak English but we had a guide). Bought some moon cakes on the way out, which we just ate this week and were delicious.

Thank CRPalma
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed October 24, 2013

As European I cannot speak any Chinese. Fortunately the menu' was translated but there was no sign the food was going to be super cold almost frozen!!
Ordered some beef which came super cold, some mushroom and carrots stuff which was horribly cold and then the taste was bad. The prawn dish was basically prawn from the freezer with ice! i asked to have it hot and they say no we will not! Aaked twice with my iphone app translator! So they understood what I wanted. They kept laughing all night and taking the piss as we could not speak Chinese. Leak dumpling were way too full of garlic!! Spent over 225 yuan! The prawn dish: some prawn straight from the freezer cost 58 for about 50 grams of prawn!!!! Way to expensive! Really terrible experience!

Date of visit: October 2013
    • Value
    • Atmosphere
    • Service
    • Food
3  Thank Michelem637
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Travelers who viewed SongHeLou CaiGuan (ShanTangJie) also viewed

 

Been to SongHeLou CaiGuan (ShanTangJie)? Share your experiences!

Write a Review Add Photos & Videos

Owners: What's your side of the story?

Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.

Claim Your Listing
© 2024 Tripadvisor LLC All rights reserved.

This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu.