Must-try foods in Hangzhou：Hangzhou’s cuisine differs from the bold and intense flavors of the north, instead possessing the delicate and refreshing qualities unique to the Jiangnan region, often accompanied by a story waiting to be discovered.
This guide will take you from the century-old towers by West Lake to the breakfast stalls in the old city, allowing you to experience the authentic Hangzhou through your taste buds.
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- West Lake Vinegar Fish
- Dongpo Pork
- Beggar’s Chicken
- Pian’erchuan Noodles
- Longjing Shrimp
- Wushan Roasted Poultry
- Hangzhou Soy Sauce Duck
- West Lake Water Shield Soup
- Scallion Pancakes
- Dingsheng Cake and Lotus Flower Pastry
- Your Culinary Itinerary Planning Service
1. West Lake Fish in Vinegar Sauce: A classic sweet and sour dish passed down for thousands of years
If you had to choose one dish to represent Hangzhou, West Lake Fish in Vinegar Sauce would often be on the list.
Fresh grass carp is selected, cooked, and then topped with a smooth, glossy sweet and sour sauce. Highly recommended for those who prefer a sweeter taste.
- The Way of Tasting:
This dish is best enjoyed within 5 minutes of being served, while still hot to fully appreciate the tenderness of the fish. You can also coat the fish in a sweet and sour sauce to enhance the flavor.
- Average price per person: approximately 120-200 RMB
We recommend trying Lou Wai Lou (No. 30 Gushan Road, Beishan Street, Xihu District) and Hangzhou Restaurant (No. 205 Yan’an Road, Shangcheng District), both of which are century-old establishments.
2.Dongpo Pork: A refined and elegant delicacy enjoyed by scholars, characterized by its tender and fragrant texture.
Dongpo pork is a traditional Hangzhou delicacy. It is said that this dish was created by Su Dongpo, a scholar from the Song Dynasty who once lived in Hangzhou.
Dongpo pork is made primarily from square pieces of pork belly. The fatty parts melt in your mouth without feeling greasy at all, while the lean parts absorb the broth, resulting in a rich and flavorful dish.
- Authentic way to eat:
It’s usually served in a small bowl, about two ounces square, just the right amount for one person.
Then it’s served with rice or small steamed buns. The tender meat chunks are mashed and mixed into the rice, or sandwiched between the soft steamed buns.
- Typical price: Approximately 30-100 RMB per person.
Recommended places: Grandma’s Home, whose signature dish “Grandma’s Braised Pork (Dongpo Pork)” is full of old Hangzhou flavor. Tianxianglou (447 Yan’an Road, Gongshu District) is a century-old restaurant famous for its traditional craftsmanship.
3.Beggar’s Chicken: The fresh aroma of lotus leaves and mud.
The origin of Beggar’s Chicken is said to be that in ancient times a beggar stole a chicken, but had no pot or stove, so he wrapped the chicken in mud and roasted it, and it turned out to be delicious.
The dish has now been modified, with Shaoxing wine added to the soil and the whole chicken wrapped in West Lake lotus leaves before roasting.
- Key Features and Highlights:
It’s usually served as a clay bag, and the server will crack it open in front of you to reveal the dark brown lotus leaf inside—a truly ceremonial touch. No additional dipping sauce is needed to experience the delicate flavor of the lotus leaf and its savory aroma.
- Typical price: Approximately 100-150 RMB (suitable for sharing by 2-3 people).
I recommend visiting Hangzhou Restaurant and Lou Wai Lou Restaurant for a taste.
4. Pian’erchuan: A bowl of fresh noodles that Hangzhou locals can’t forget.
Pian’erchuan, also known as “pickled vegetable noodles,” is a very common bowl of noodles in Hangzhou. It is mainly made by stir-frying pickled mustard greens, dried bamboo shoots, and lean meat in oil, then adding broth and noodles and cooking them together.
- Recommended way to eat:
If you prefer a richer texture, you can add an extra portion of “fried pork cracklings” or “mushrooms” to make the noodles more flavorful.
- Average price per person: 15-35 RMB/bowl
Recommended places: Juying Noodle Restaurant (Zhongshan South Road Branch) is one of the representatives of Hangzhou noodle restaurants, and Kuiyuan Restaurant (Jiefang Road Main Branch) is the birthplace of Pian’erchuan noodles. Kuiyuan Restaurant is known as the “King of Noodles in Jiangnan”.
5. Longjing Shrimp: A perfect match between the aroma of tea and fresh river seafood.
Hangzhou is the hometown of Longjing tea, and ingenious chefs have combined tea with cuisine to create this elegant and famous dish.
Fresh river shrimp are marinated, then lightly cooked in warm oil, and finally topped with tea leaves, preserving both the aroma of the tea and the tender, springy texture of the shrimp.
- General Price: Usually 80-150 RMB per serving.
Recommended Restaurants: Shanwaishan (Hangzhou Botanical Garden Branch), Hangzhou Restaurant
6. Wushan Roasted Poultry: A chicken so delicious that people are willing to queue up for it.
This is a magical place in Hangzhou. No matter when you pass by Wushan Roasted Poultry Restaurant, you can always see a long queue of people.
- Suggested way to eat:
If you are buying alone, you can choose to buy half or a quarter of a bird. The vendor will chop it for you and serve it with their secret seasoning powder.
- Average price per person: Approximately 30-40 RMB per whole bird
You can purchase poultry at Wushan Roasted Poultry (Wushan Store) on your way after visiting Hefang Street.
7. Hangzhou Braised Duck: A flavorful calling card with a rich, savory sauce.
Braised duck is a classic dish of Hangzhou. In the past, it was a traditional delicacy during the Spring Festival, but now it can be enjoyed all year round.
The preparation method involves first marinating the duck in a large vat with salt and soy sauce for several days, then removing it and drying it in the sun. It needs to be steamed or roasted before consumption. The cooked duck is deep red in color and has a rich aroma.
- If you’re looking to buy a Hangzhou specialty souvenir, vacuum-packed braised duck would be an excellent gift.
- Average price per person: Approximately 40-60 RMB per half; 80-120 RMB per whole.
Recommended restaurants include Wanlong Braised Duck (79 Zhongshan Middle Road), a classic example of Hangzhou braised duck, or Hangzhou Restaurant.
8.West Lake Water Shield Soup: A gentle touch on the tongue
West Lake Water Shield Soup is a specialty of Hangzhou. It uses water shield, a type of aquatic vegetable, which grows in West Lake.
The soup is mainly made with shredded ham and chicken breast, and is simmered together.
- Highlights:
Water shield has a layer of translucent pectin, allowing you to experience a wonderful texture where it slides directly down your throat without chewing.
- Average price per person: 30-50 RMB per bowl. Recommended restaurants: Lou Wai Lou and Ling Shan Local Cuisine Restaurant.
9. Scallion Pancakes: A Southern Song Dynasty Legend in Thin Pancakes
The story behind this snack originates from the Hangzhou people’s hatred for the treacherous minister Qin Hui and their remembrance of the hero Yue Fei.
The main ingredient is fried dough sticks and scallions wrapped in spring roll wrappers, then grilled on a griddle until golden brown and crispy, symbolizing “flattening” and roasting the treacherous minister.
- Average price per person: 8-15 RMB
Recommended place: Grandma Sun’s Scallion Pancake (Zhongshan South Road), considered one of the most authentic scallion pancakes in Hangzhou.
10. Dingsheng cake and lotus flower pastry: exquisite Jiangnan-style pastries.
If northern pastries emphasize substantiality, then southern pastries pursue elegance.
Ding Sheng Gao (定胜糕), Lotus Flower Pastry (荷花酥), and pastries from the Ten Scenes of West Lake are characteristic desserts of Hangzhou.
- How to Enjoy:
If you’re purchasing and tasting on-site, pairing it with a cup of Hangzhou’s signature Longjing tea will allow you to experience the charm of Jiangnan. Hangzhou pastries also make excellent travel souvenirs.
- The price of a single pastry is usually between 2 and 5 RMB.
I recommend Zhiweiguan (which mainly serves various famous pastries) and Jiuzhizhai (whose signature dishes are pickled mustard tuber and pork mooncakes and fermented bean curd mooncakes, and are one of the representatives of traditional Hangzhou pastries).
Practical Tips for Food and Travel in Hangzhou
Explore two distinct styles in one day by area:
- West Lake Loop (High-end restaurants + lake views): Restaurants like Lou Wai Lou, Hangzhou Restaurant, Shan Wai Shan, and Grandma’s Home are concentrated near Beishan Street, Yan’an Road, and the Botanical Garden. Ideal for lunch or dinner, followed by a stroll and lake views.
- Old City South Loop (Local snacks + vibrant atmosphere): The Zhongshan South Road and Hefang Street area is home to Juying Noodle Shop, Grandma Sun’s Scallion Pancakes, Wushan Roasted Pork, and Wanlong Braised Duck. Perfect for a morning or afternoon snack adventure; remember to visit on an empty stomach
Time management: Avoid peak hours and reduce queuing
- Wushan Roasted Poultry: The shortest queues are around 3-4 PM, while the longest are in the morning and evening. Juying Noodle Shop: It’s recommended to go after 10:30 AM or 2:00 PM to avoid the lunch rush.
- West Lake Vinegar Fish, Beggar’s Chicken, and other main dishes are made to order and take time. When ordering, you can tell the server to serve them “while they’re hot,” and prioritize eating the fish (the golden 5-minute window).
When to buy souvenirs
- Soy-braised duck, lotus flower pastry, and Dingsheng cake are best purchased on the last day. Zhiweiguan and Jiuzhizhai both offer vacuum-packed and gift-boxed items, which can be sealed on-site for easy carrying.
Seasonal Tips
- The best time to eat water shield soup is from May to September (when the water shield is fresh and tender). In winter, you can choose warming dishes such as braised duck and Dongpo pork. Longjing shrimp is most in season during the spring tea season.
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