- Project: Taste Jiangnan Restaurant
- Architect: LDH Design
- Location: China, Golden Eagle World Hotel, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province
- Area: 800 m2
- Photography: Lu Haha
A Restaurant Rooted in Jiangnan Culture
The name Taste Jiangnan (Shijiu) speaks of savoring both food and memory. “Simmering” evokes the slow preparation of delicacies, while “tasting” celebrates the enjoyment of flavor. Together, they embody not only a culinary tradition but also the lifestyle, rhythm, and poetic culture of Southern China’s Jiangnan region.
Located on the 50th floor of the Golden Eagle World Hotel, the restaurant offers a commanding view of Nanjing’s skyline, Qinhuai River, and Zhongshan Mountain, setting the stage for an elevated dining experience that bridges history and modernity.
An Architectural Dialogue of Past and Present
Designer Liu Daohua interprets the essence of Jiangnan water towns—graceful bridges, winding rivers, and poetic courtyards—through a contemporary lens. His design pays tribute to Huaiyang cuisine’s refinement while embedding the atmosphere of Jiangnan into the space.
Guests are greeted by a teahouse-inspired entry sequence, where a winding path simulates the meandering lanes of a traditional garden. This spatial promenade unfolds into areas for socializing, contemplation, and leisure, sheltered under deconstructed eaves that reinterpret vernacular architecture.
Interiors Inspired by Jiangnan Elegance
The interior palette is rooted in dark brown tones, enriched with brass accents and log-textured finishes that layer warmth and refinement. Furniture in hues of red-brown, burlywood, and black reflects quiet elegance, while soft shadows and delicate lighting create an immersive atmosphere.
Private dining boxes are designed in the architectural language of Jiangnan towns—independent yet interconnected, evoking both intimacy and ritual. Floor-to-ceiling windows erase boundaries with the skyline, allowing the city’s shifting light to animate the dining experience.
Plum Blossom as Cultural Motif
A recurring theme in the design is the plum blossom, Nanjing’s city flower and a symbol of resilience, beauty, and the “five blessings”. The blossom’s form inspires the ceiling’s sculptural patterns, the custom ceramic tile designs, and subtle decorative accents throughout the restaurant. The motif weaves a sense of continuity, turning the space into a blooming landscape suspended above the city.
Spatial Philosophy and Cultural Resonance
More than a restaurant, Taste Jiangnan is an artistic meditation on place and memory. By reinterpreting traditional architectural forms within a contemporary setting, the design surpasses functional dining needs to foster cultural identity and emotional connection.
As Liu Daohua demonstrates, architecture can serve as a bridge between heritage and innovation, bringing the spirit of Jiangnan’s poetic landscapes into the rhythms of modern urban life.
