Yilong
Time-Honored BrandYilong · Jiangsu · Founded
A time-honored Jiangsu restaurant brand, Yilong has been preserving the essence of Jiangnan cuisine through traditional Suzhou-style pastries and dishes for over a century.
Brand Story
Yilong traces its roots to Jiangsu, with a history dating back to the mid-Qing Dynasty (around 1800). Although the exact founding year is not officially verified, local chronicles and oral accounts suggest its predecessor was a tea snack shop in the Suzhou area, renowned for handmade Suzhou-style pastries. During the late Qing and early Republic period (1900-1920), the Yilong brand was formally established by the Wang family, a local pastry-making lineage. Known for their meticulous selection of ingredients and exquisite craftsmanship, they gained fame along the Shanghai-Nanjing railway line. During the War of Resistance (1937-1945), Yilong relocated for safety, but resumed operations after the war, adhering to traditional recipes while incorporating modern hygiene standards. In 1956, under the public-private partnership policy, Yilong was merged into a local food factory, retaining the brand but temporarily losing the craft lineage. After the reform and opening-up in the 1980s, the original shop was restored, and the third-generation heir revived classic recipes and trained new apprentices. Today, Yilong upholds the philosophy of 'inheriting tradition while innovating,' preserving ancient methods while developing low-sugar health-conscious series, making it a living example of Jiangnan culinary culture.
“Yilong Centennial, Taste of Jiangnan”
Signature Products
Hand-pulled crispy sugar that melts in your mouth, sweet but not cloying, perfect with tea. (20-40 RMB/box)
Flaky pastry with layered crust, filled with five-nut or red bean paste, aromatic after baking. (15-30 RMB/piece)
Made with glutinous rice flour and osmanthus honey, sweet, soft, and chewy, evoking the autumn atmosphere of Jiangnan. (10-20 RMB/portion)
Stores & Addresses
Located in: Jiangsu（江苏）
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Cultural Note
Yilong adheres to traditional handcrafted techniques, such as the 'pull, fold, and wrap' process for crispy sugar, which must be done in a temperature-controlled room to maintain the silky texture. Their pastries embody the 'refined elegance' of Suzhou cuisine, emphasizing seasonality—offering green rice balls in spring and osmanthus cakes in autumn—reflecting Jiangnan folk customs and festival culture. The craft is passed down through a master-apprentice system, now in its fifth generation, with a dedicated research institute offering hands-on workshops to keep this intangible heritage alive.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a "China Time-Honored Brand" (中华老字号)?
A China Time-Honored Brand is a designation by China’s Ministry of Commerce for brands with a long history that inherit products, craftsmanship or services across generations and have operated continuously to the present.
When was Yilong founded?
Yilong was founded in null, originating in Jiangsu, Jiangsu, primarily in the Dining field.
What is the signature product of Yilong?
Its signature product is Yilong Crispy Sugar. See the "Signature / Buy Online" section on this page for more products and shopping links.
Where can I find the official list of China Time-Honored Brands?
You can log into the MOFCOM "China Time-Honored Brand Information Management System", or browse this site’s brand directory — we have profiled 1,451 time-honored brands.
Sources / References
Brand fundamentals (founding year, heritage level, recognition batch) follow official sources such as the MOFCOM time-honored brand list. Story and encyclopedia: