Five century-old businesses in Taicang, a county-level city of Suzhou, Jiangsu province were named as Suzhou's time-honored brands by the city's bureau of commerce on Sept 3.

The award of time-honored brand is given to brands that have a long history and quality products or service, and it can help them to better protect their intellectual property rights, and upgrade its products or services, therefore increasing its reputation.

A brand must have been established for over 50 years, with unique products, skills or services, distinct traditional cultural backgrounds and regional characteristics, as well as having wide social recognition and praise, to be named a time-honored brand.

The five are Zhongxing Restaurant, Shuangfeng Mengjia Restaurant, Yuchangsheng Mutton Noodle Shop, Laozhonghe Mutton Shop, and Taicang Dried Meat Floss Food Co Ltd.

Shuangfeng Mengjia Restaurant

People from Suzhou have a long history of eating mutton and drinking its soup, as it is believed it strengthens the body. Shuangfeng Mengjia Restaurant was established in 1890 by a man surnamed Meng who was weak in his childhood and ate mutton to get nutrition. The restaurant is famous for its mutton cooking and mutton soup noodles. It has a registered trademark of "Shuangfeng Mengjia".

Location: No 96 Fengbei Street, Shuangfeng town, Taicang, Suzhou, Jiangsu province

Shuangfeng Mengjia Restaurant. [Photo/WeChat account: taicangdaily]