Hello, food lovers! I’m Emma Lee, an expat food blogger residing in China. My culinary adventures have taken me from the bustling streets to upscale restaurants, all in search of the best flavors. Today, I invite you to explore the gastronomic wonders of Hangzhou with me, as we taste the city’s traditional delicacies.

Summary

Hangzhou’s Must-Try Traditional Dishes

West Lake Sweet and Sour Fish

West Lake Sweet and Sour Fish
  • Introduction: Known locally as Xi Hu Cu Yu, this dish is a Hangzhou classic that draws its name from the iconic West Lake. Famous for its delicate balance of sweet and sour flavors, this dish features tender grass carp, meticulously prepared to enhance its naturally vibrant color and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • Chinese Name: 西湖醋鱼
  • Pinyin: Xi Hu Cu Yu
  • Main Ingredients: Grass carp
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: All year round
  • Bao Zhong Bao Restaurant
    • Address: No. 224 Qingtai Street, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou
    • Hours: Mon-Sun, 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM, 4:30 PM – 9:00 PM
    • Average Price: 101 RMB

Longjing Shrimp

Longjing Shrimp
  • Introduction: Celebrated for its distinctive tea flavor melded with the freshness of shrimp, Longjing Shrimp is a dish that truly encapsulates the essence of Hangzhou’s culinary sophistication. Freshly picked Longjing tea leaves from around Qingming Festival are stir-fried with succulent river shrimp, resulting in a dish that is aromatic and visually stunning.
  • Chinese Name: 龙井虾仁
  • Pinyin: Long Jing Xia Ren
  • Main Ingredients: River shrimp, Longjing tea
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: All year round
  • Hangzhou Restaurant (Yanan Road Branch)
    • Address: 1-3 Floors, No. 205 Yanan Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou (Dragon Bridge Metro Station Exit D, walk 270 meters)
    • Hours: Mon-Fri: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM; Sat-Sun: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM
    • Average Price: 89 RMB

Dongpo Pork

Dongpo Pork
  • Introduction: Named after the famous poet Su Dongpo, Dongpo Pork is a Hangzhou signature that delights with its rich flavors and tender texture. The pork belly is slow-cooked until it’s succulently rich and glazed in a glossy sauce that enhances its melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
  • Chinese Name: 东坡肉
  • Pinyin: Dong Po Rou
  • Main Ingredients: Pork belly
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: All year round
  • Half-Mu Square Meals – Dongpo Rice
    • Address: No. 8 Zhongshan North Road, Gongshu District, Hangzhou
    • Hours: Mon-Sun: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
    • Average Price: 30 RMB

Pian Er Chuan

Pian Er Chuan
  • Introduction: As a traditional Hangzhou snack, Pian Er Chuan is celebrated for its delicious broth and chewy noodles. This dish features a topping made from pickled vegetables, bamboo shoots, and lean pork, all combined to create a mouthwatering experience.
  • Chinese Name: 片儿川
  • Pinyin: Pian Er Chuan
  • Main Ingredients: Noodles, pickled vegetables, bamboo shoots, lean pork
  • Typical Meal Times: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • Recommended Season: All year round
  • Chen Balian Noodle House (Labor Union CC Branch)
    • Address: B1 Floor, Lakeview Yintai in77, No. 245 Yanan Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou
    • Hours: Mon-Sun: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
    • Average Price: 31 RMB

Scallion Stuffed Pancake (Cong Bao Gui)

Scallion Stuffed Pancake
  • Introduction: A unique breakfast dish from Hangzhou, the Scallion Stuffed Pancake combines crispy fried dough sticks and fresh scallions wrapped in a thin pancake. Once cooked, it offers a golden, crispy texture with a delightful onion flavor that’s irresistible.
  • Chinese Name: 葱包桧
  • Pinyin: Cong Bao Gui
  • Main Ingredients: Scallions, fried dough sticks, pancake dough
  • Typical Meal Times: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • Recommended Season: All year round
  • Grandma Sun’s Scallion Pancake
    • Address: No. 391 Zhongshan South Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou
    • Hours: Mon-Sun: 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM
    • Average Price: 11 RMB

Song Sao Fish Soup

Song Sao Fish Soup
  • Introduction: A traditional delicacy dating back to the Southern Song Dynasty, Song Sao Fish Soup is made with tender fish slices and a rich, savory broth. This soup is renowned for its delicate texture and the layers of flavor that embrace the palate.
  • Chinese Name: 宋嫂鱼羹
  • Pinyin: Song Sao Yu Geng
  • Main Ingredients: Bass or grass carp, eggs, mushrooms
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: All year round
  • Fuyuan Restaurant
    • Address: No. 35 Hefang Street, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou (110 meters walk from Jiangcheng Road Metro Station Exit D)
    • Hours: Mon-Sun: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 4:30 PM – 9:00 PM
    • Average Price: 96 RMB

Hangzhou Small Steamed Buns (Zhi Wei Xiao Long)

Hangzhou Small Steamed Buns
  • Introduction: Known for their thin skin and juicy filling, Hangzhou Small Steamed Buns are a must-try local delicacy. These steamed buns are filled with pork or shrimp and a special broth that oozes flavor with every bite.
  • Chinese Name: 知味小笼
  • Pinyin: Zhi Wei Xiao Long
  • Main Ingredients: Flour, pork or shrimp
  • Typical Meal Times: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • Recommended Season: All year round
  • Zhi Wei Guan (Youth Road Branch)
    • Address: No. 23-2 Youth Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou (350 meters walk from Ding’an Road Metro Station Exit A)
    • Hours: Mon-Sun: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
    • Average Price: 25 RMB

Wushan Crispy Cakes

Wushan Crispy Cakes
  • Introduction: Wushan Crispy Cakes are a beloved traditional snack in Hangzhou, known for their golden, flaky texture and rich flavor. Made with layers of dough fried to perfection, these cakes are a delightful treat.
  • Chinese Name: 吴山酥油饼
  • Pinyin: Wu Shan Su You Bing
  • Main Ingredients: Flour, lard, sesame
  • Typical Meal Times: As a snack
  • Recommended Season: All year round
  • Ding Sheng Cake Shop – Jiang Shunfa
    • Address: No. 236 Hefang Street, near Wushan Square, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou
    • Hours: Mon-Sun: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
    • Average Price: 4 RMB

Exploding Eel Noodles

Exploding Eel Noodles
  • Introduction: Exploding Eel Noodles are a specialty at Kuiyuan Restaurant in Hangzhou, featuring crispy eel pieces and fresh shrimp over chewy noodles. The dish combines the crunch of the eel with the tenderness of the shrimp for a unique culinary experience.
  • Chinese Name: 虾爆鳝面
  • Pinyin: Xia Bao Shan Mian
  • Main Ingredients: Eel, river shrimp, noodles
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: All year round
  • Wuzi Noodle Restaurant (Huan Sha Road Branch)
    • Address: No. 116 Huan Sha Road, Wushan Business District, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou
    • Hours: Mon-Sun: 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM
    • Average Price: 46 RMB

Hangzhou Braised Duck

Hangzhou Braised Duck
  • Introduction: Hangzhou Braised Duck offers a delicate blend of savory and sweet flavors, with a tender texture that melts in the mouth. The rich marinade infuses the duck with a deep, aromatic flavor that’s both inviting and satisfying.
  • Chinese Name: 杭州酱鸭
  • Pinyin: Hang Zhou Jiang Ya
  • Main Ingredients: Duck, yellow wine
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: All year round
  • Wan Long Ham Mansion (Wulin Road Branch)
    • Address: No. 367 Wulin Road, Gongshu District, Hangzhou, next to Changhua New Village bus stop
    • Hours: Mon-Sun: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
    • Average Price: 27 RMB

Ding Sheng Cake

Ding Sheng Cake
  • Introduction: Ding Sheng Cake is a traditional Hangzhou dessert made from a mixture of sticky rice and fine rice flour, with a sweet red bean paste filling. The cake is soft and fluffy, offering a cloud-like texture with a beautiful rose-red color.
  • Chinese Name: 定胜糕
  • Pinyin: Ding Sheng Gao
  • Main Ingredients: Glutinous rice flour, red bean paste
  • Typical Meal Times: As a snack
  • Recommended Season: All year round
  • Zhi Wei Guan (Xianlin Bridge Branch)
    • Address: No. 35 Xianlin Bridge Street, Wulin Street, Gongshu District, Hangzhou
    • Hours: Mon-Sun: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    • Average Price: 30 RMB

Deep-Fried Tofu Skin Rings

Deep-Fried Tofu Skin Rings
  • Introduction: Deep-Fried Tofu Skin Rings, known as Gan Zha Xiang Ling in Hangzhou, are a traditional snack characterized by their crunchy exterior and tender inside. This dish captures the essence of Hangzhou’s street food culture, offering a satisfying crunch with every bite.
  • Chinese Name: 干炸响铃
  • Pinyin: Gan Zha Xiang Ling
  • Main Ingredients: Tofu skin
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: All year round
  • Wu Ji Restaurant – Hangzhou Cuisine – Private Kitchen (West Lake Lakeside Branch)
    • Address: No. 77 Xueshi Road, Lakeside Street, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou (170 meters walk from Longxiangqiao Metro Station Exit B)
    • Hours: Mon-Sun: 10:00 AM – 10:30 PM
    • Average Price: 98 RMB

Essential Hangzhou Travel Resources