1. Hangzhou Snack – Hangzhou Crispy Chicken
Crispy Hangzhou Chicken (Photo source: Collected)
When it comes to Hangzhou cuisine , you definitely cannot miss crispy chicken - a street snack that makes visitors fall in love from the first try. The chicken is marinated with rich flavors, rolled in a smooth layer of flour and then fried until golden brown in boiling oil. What makes the unforgettable flavor special is the layer of bread crumbs on the outside, creating an attractive crispy crust. Hangzhou crispy chicken reminds many people of "Chinese version of KFC", but has its own unique features thanks to the soft, juicy meat inside, rich in traditional flavors. This is a street specialty suitable for all ages, from children to adults, and is worth a try when exploring the sophisticated and rich Chinese cuisine.
2. Beggar's Chicken
Beggar Chicken (Image source: Collected)
To enjoy this specialty, you will need a rather special tool – a small hammer. Not to smash the chicken or chop the bones, but to break the layer of clay covering the chicken after roasting. The dish is also known by the popular name “clay-baked chicken”. After cleaning, the chicken is stuffed with nutritious ingredients such as lotus seeds, ginseng, onions, pepper, ginger, spices and herbs. Next, the chicken is wrapped in fresh lotus leaves, covered with clay and then roasted in the oven. Under the heat, the layer of clay hardens, making the chicken cook evenly, the skin is golden and crispy. The light aroma of lotus leaves permeates the meat, creating a very unique flavor – both refreshing and rich. When you separate the clay layer, you will feel the soft, sweet meat, easy to separate from the bone, mixed with the aroma of traditional spices. This is one of the signature dishes that contributes to the sophistication of Hangzhou cuisine, and you can find this dish at many famous restaurants in Hangzhou – where the full flavor of a unique traditional Chinese dish is preserved.
3. West Lake shrimp stir-fried with Longjing tea leaves
West Lake's beauty (Photo source: Collected)
If West Lake and Longjing Mountain are considered the poetic symbols of Hangzhou, then stir-fried shrimp with Longjing tea leaves is a delicate blend of nature and cuisine. This dish is not only famous for the sweet taste of fresh shrimp, but also attractive thanks to the characteristic aroma of Longjing tea leaves - one of the most famous teas in China, known for its many health benefits.
However, due to the high value of this tea, many restaurants may use alternative leaves. Therefore, to truly experience the essence of the West Lake specialty, you should choose famous restaurants in Hangzhou that specialize in serving dishes with genuine Longjing tea. This is an experience not to be missed if you want to fully explore the uniqueness of Hangzhou cuisine.
4. Sweet and sour West Lake fish
Not only famous for its West Lake Shrimp dish, fish caught from the West Lake area also brings a unique and unforgettable flavor. The fish meat is firm, rich in natural flavor and is processed by stewing with a mixture of vinegar and sugar, creating a harmonious sweet and sour taste. This is a typical dish that contributes to enriching the culinary map of Hangzhou, making it impossible for visitors to miss when coming to this city.
5. Dongpo Pyramid Pork
Dong Po Braised Pork (Photo source: Collected)
Dongpo Pork is associated with the name of the poet Su Dongpo - a famous scholar of the Song Dynasty. According to legend, while cooking, he transformed the traditional braised pork dish by adding Shaoxing wine (Huangjiu) - a popular light wine in China - to enhance the flavor. The meat chosen was pork belly, cut into square pieces like chess pieces, about three knuckles thick. In Hangzhou alone, this dish is presented in a unique pyramid shape, not only eye-catching but also showing the sophistication of Hangzhou cuisine. This is one of the typical Hangzhou dishes that many diners love when exploring traditional Chinese flavors.
6. Pian Er Chuan Noodles
Pian Er Chuan Noodles (Photo source: Collected)
A great way to start the day, Pian Er Chuan is a signature dish of Hangzhou cuisine. A hearty bowl of noodles with thinly sliced pork, rich bone broth, fresh greens and crispy bamboo shoots. This is one of the best breakfast dishes in Hangzhou, often mentioned in culinary shows such as A Bite of China, which celebrates the essence of traditional Chinese noodles.
7. Cat ear noodles
Appearing during the Qianlong Dynasty of the Qing Dynasty, this dish has nothing to do with real cat ears. Cat ear noodles are small noodles twisted into the shape of ears, combined with minced chicken, shiitake mushrooms, dried shrimp and scallops, creating a light but attractive flavor. This is one of the typical dishes when mentioning Hangzhou cuisine, very popular with tourists thanks to its sophistication and elaborate preparation.
8. Dingsheng Rice Cake
Dingsheng rice cake (Image source: Collected)
The name of this cake comes from the Chinese phrase "定胜糕" - Dingsheng, meaning "steadfast victory" or "undefeated". Historically, the cake was used to encourage the fighting spirit of soldiers in the Southern Song Dynasty. The soft, smooth crust combined with the sweet red bean filling is a distinctive highlight. The cake not only has nutritional value but also reflects the depth of Hangzhou culinary culture, making it an indispensable choice for tourists who want to explore traditional Chinese flavors.
9. Roll Cake – Congbaohui
Congbaohui, also known as scallion dumplings, is a typical Hangzhou delicacy. Originating from the Southern Song Dynasty, this dish was once a favorite of the famous prime minister Qing Hui.
The traditional way of preparing it is very special: meat is wrapped around a stick, stir-fried with green onions, then wrapped in a thin pastry shell. The filling is often mixed with sweet bean sauce to enhance the flavor. However, many restaurants now serve it with a separate bowl of sauce, bringing a new experience to diners.
The combination of salty, sweet and aromatic flavors of green onions makes the roll one of the Hangzhou specialties that cannot be missed when exploring traditional Chinese cuisine.
10. Xiao Long Bao – Shanghai Soup Dumplings
Xiao long bao is one of Hangzhou's most famous delicacies, originating from the lower reaches of the Yangtze River during the Southern Song Dynasty. The distinctive name comes from the traditional way of preparing the dumplings: steaming them in small bamboo steamers.
Unlike regular dumplings, xiao long bao skin is made from unfermented flour, creating a super thin and smooth skin. The special thing about this dish lies in the rich soup inside. When enjoying it, you should use chopsticks to gently separate a small slit on the bun to let the hot soup flow out, sip this water first, then the soft and fragrant meat filling, and finally the thin, melting skin. This is a delicate and unique experience of Hangzhou cuisine in particular and Chinese cuisine in general, very worth trying when exploring traditional Chinese dishes.
11. Lotus root stuffed with sticky rice
Lotus root stuffed with sticky rice (Photo source: Collected)
When it comes to Hangzhou cuisine, we cannot miss lotus root stuffed with glutinous rice – a delicate dessert imbued with the flavor of the West Lake. The crispy slices of lotus root are stuffed with fragrant sticky rice, mixed with a delicate sweetness, creating a harmonious combination of traditional ingredients and skillful preparation. If you have the opportunity to visit Hangzhou, do not forget to enjoy this dish at restaurants that use fresh lotus root from the West Lake region to fully experience the unique flavor here.
Hangzhou cuisine is not simply delicious food but also the crystallization of culture, history and spirit of the land and sky of Southern China. Each dish carries a story, a unique mark that makes anyone who has enjoyed it linger. If you have the opportunity to set foot in Hangzhou, do not forget to take the time to explore this sophisticated culinary world to fully experience the beauty of a city that is not only beautiful in scenery but also rich in flavor.
Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/am-thuc-hang-chau-v17312.aspx
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