I've been traveling across China for 10 years. These are the 3 cities with the best food — and one that disappointed me.

• Her favorite dining cities include Hangzhou, Shangri-La, and Guiyang.
• In contrast, the subdued flavors she tasted in Nanjing left her disappointed.

Similarly, many rave about the duck blood vermicelli soup, a signature dish of the city, yet the textural symmetry between jelly-like coagulated duck blood cubes and soft vermicelli noodles I find mushy and bland.

Nanjing’s cuisine emphasizes gentle, savory flavors, but for someone accustomed to the bold spices of other regions, it feels flat and, at times, overly sweet, leaving me longing for the robust tastes I have come to love in other parts of the country.