Hangzhou - Eating
Hangzhou is famous for its traditional cuisine, hearty yet light on the palate. Some of the signature dishes are Beggar’s Chicken baked in fragrant lotus leaves, West Lake fish, which can be steamed or stewed, and Dongpo Pork stewed in soy sauce, a dish invented and named after ancient China’s most famous poet nine centuries ago. This is a divine dish where the meat is cooked to such tenderness it melts in the mouth.
Zhi Wei Guan Restaurant
An institution in itself, Zhi Wei Guan was founded in 1913, proudly claiming a history of almost 100 years. There is an old saying that people stop their carriage attracted by aromas from the Zhi Wei Guan restaurant and dismount from their horses. Today, the restaurant sticks to the concept of quality above all and with excellent service, it still ranks as the top restaurant in Hangzhou.
Louwailou Restaurant
Louwailou, which literally means “a house set outside another building” in Chinese, is located at the foot of Gushan, near the beautiful West Lake. More than 150 years old, Louwailou has served many famous persons in history including China’s most famous revolutionary, Dr. Sun Yat-sen and the late Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai.
1917 Garden Restaurant
This is a luxurious restaurant in a villa with nostalgic style, which mainly serves bird’s nest, abalone, shark fin and other extravagant gourmet dishes.
Zhangshengji Restaurant
Guided by ancient secret recipes and the principle that “food and medicine have the same origin”, Zhangshengji has invented various new dishes for all seasons, as good for the body as it is on the palate.
Hongni Chinese Casserole Restaurant
“Hongni” means “red earth” in Chinese and Hangzhou Hongni Chinese Casserole Restaurant engages in the traditional Chinese casserole cuisine, which combines the great taste of Hangzhou cooking with styles from other parts of the province.
