Soft-shelled turtle, particularly the “ soft-shelled turtle with cauliflowers ” in spring and the “ soft-shelled turtle with osmanthus flowers ” in autumn, is nutritious enough for its rich protein, fat, sugar and vitamin. Therefore people in Suzhou usually take soft-shelled turtles as nourishing food in spring and autumn.

The making of the dish includes the removal of the turtle ' s viscera, toes, tail and head, the scraping of the black membrance inside, the shelling and cutting and the seasoning of Chinese yam, bamboo shoot, mushroom, onion, ginger, salt, wine, etc. After it is cooked well the soup is shinning and thick, salty and sweet. It is one of the famous cuisines in Suzhou. .