淮安是淮扬菜的主要发源地。淮扬菜是中国传统四大菜系之一，历史悠久，底蕴深厚，生生不息。

Huai'an is a major birthplace of Huaiyang cuisine. As one of China's four traditional cuisines, Huaiyang cuisine boasts long history, profound heritage and enduring vitality.

明清时期，淮安因“南船北马”“九省通衢”的地理位置，漕运、治河、盐务、榷关、交通“五大支柱”在此汇聚，四方物产荟萃、南北盐商巨贾云集。独特的区位优势和多层次的饮食需求，推动了淮安餐饮业发展兴盛，当时饮食服务从业人员一度超过十万人。明清以来，在达官豪商的影响带动下，饮食风气由简约质朴渐趋奢靡；旺盛的社会需求，也推动淮扬菜逐渐形成精妙的烹调技艺和独特风味。

In the Ming and Qing dynasties, owing to its geographical location features of “south boats, north horses” and “a thoroughfare linking nine provinces”, Huai'an saw the convergence of "five major pillars": tribute grain transport, river regulation, salt administration, canal customs and transportation. Besides, it gathered commodities, wealthy salt merchants and traders across the nation. Its unique geographical advantages and diverse dining demand fueled the prosperity of Huai'an's catering industry, with the number of people employed in food services  once exceeding 100,000. From the Ming and Qing dynasties onward, influenced by high-ranking officials and wealthy merchants, prevailing dining trend gradually shifted from simplicity and frugality toward extravagance. Driven by strong social demand, Huaiyang cuisine progressively developed its exquisite cooking techniques and distinctive flavors.

淮扬菜具有“就地取材、土菜细作、五味调和、百姓创造”的鲜明特点，善于以寻常原料烹制出美味佳肴，赢得“东南第一佳味，天下之至美”的美誉。其“和、精、清、新”的独特理念，更使淮扬菜成为中华饮食文化中的瑰宝。淮扬菜注重本味，雅俗共赏、荤素皆宜，软兜长鱼、钦工肉圆、平桥豆腐、开洋蒲菜、文楼汤包、茶馓等，均为享誉中外的代表性菜品和名点。正因如此，淮扬菜成为新中国“开国第一宴”的基准菜系，此后许多重要国宴也常选用融合南北、口味适中的淮扬菜。如今，淮安名菜名点已达1300余种。

Huaiyang cuisine is distinguished by its features of using local ingredients, making common dishes with finesse, balancing the five flavors, and drawing on the creativity of the people. It excels at turning ordinary ingredients into exquisite delicacies and has earned the reputation of "the finest taste in the Southeast and the utmost delicacy under heaven." Its distinctive principle of "harmony, refinement, freshness and innovation" further cements Huaiyang cuisine as a treasure of Chinese culinary culture. Huaiyang cuisine emphasizes natural flavors, appeals to all tastes, and accomodates both meat and vegetable preferences. Iconic dishes and pastries renowned at home and abroad include Ruan Dou Eel, Qingong Meatballs, Pingqiao Tofu, Kaiyang Cattail Shoots, Wenlou Soup Dumplings, Tea Fried Dough Twists and so forth. Due to its features, Huaiyang cuisine served as the main cuisine for the first state banquet of the People's Republic of China. With its balanced flavor blending northern and southern styles, Huaiyang cuisine has been frequently served at many important state banquets since then. Today, Huai'an boasts more than 1,300 famous dishes and pastries.

2021年，淮安荣膺联合国教科文组织“世界美食之都”称号，成为中国第五个获此称号的城市。入选“世界美食之都”以来，淮安先后赴葡萄牙布拉加、法国鲁昂等地开展美食展演交流，并在淮举办中泰美食文化交流等活动。以食为媒，淮扬菜成为展示淮安城市形象的重要窗口，持续擦亮“美食之都”城市名片。

In 2021, Huai'an was designated as a "UNESCO City of Gastronomy", making it the fifth Chinese city to receive this title. Since then, Huai'an has organized food exhibitions and exchanges in Braga, Portugal; Rouen, France; and other places. It has also hosted exchange activities such as the China-Thailand Food and Culture Exchange in Huai'an. With food as a bridge, Huaiyang cuisine has become an important window to present Huai'an's image, and Huai'an's reputation as a "City of Gastronomy" has been continuously elevated.

诚挚欢迎世界宾朋常来淮安，品淮扬美食、赏运河风光。

We sincerely welcome friends from around the world to visit Huai'an to savor Huaiyang cuisine and enjoy the scenery along the Grand Canal.