Hangzhou Food Guide 2025: What to Eat in Hangzhou

Hangzhou is not just known for its beautiful scenery, but also for its amazing food. From the famous West Lake Vinegar Fish to the tasty Longjing Shrimp, there’s so much to try. Whether you're by the lake or walking through the streets, these dishes will show you the true taste of Hangzhou. Here’s a simple guide to what to eat in Hangzhou.

1. West Lake Vinegar Fish

The fish glistened in a dark, fragrant sauce, and I could immediately smell the sweetness of vinegar mixed with the fragrance of ginger and garlic. As I took my first bite, the fish was tender, the sauce tangy yet sweet, with just the right amount of depth.

📖 About West Lake Vinegar Fish

This dish is a local legend, originating from the area around West Lake. The fish, typically caught from the lake, is cooked with a special vinegar-based sauce that gives it a unique sweet-sour flavour.

🍴 Best Places to Try

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect For

Perfect for food lovers who enjoy a mix of savoury and tangy flavours. Ideal for family dinners or anyone wanting to try a truly iconic Hangzhou dish.

💡 Pro Tips

• Order the fish with steamed rice to balance the tangy sauce.
• Locals often pair it with a cup of Longjing tea to enhance the flavours.

2. Longjing Shrimp

The shrimp, plump and juicy, were glistening in a light sauce infused with the aroma of Longjing tea. As I took my first bite, the flavour was subtly earthy, with a perfect balance of sweetness from the shrimp and the subtle bitterness of the tea. It was a refreshing yet complex dish, and the tender texture of the shrimp paired beautifully with the sauce.

📖 About Longjing Shrimp

This dish combines two of Hangzhou’s greatest treasures: Longjing tea and fresh shrimp. The shrimp are lightly stir-fried and then coated in a sauce made from Longjing tea, giving it a unique, fresh flavour that’s both delicate and fragrant.

🍴 Best Places to Try

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect For

Ideal for those who appreciate fine dining, delicate flavours, and seafood.

💡 Pro Tips

• Pair this dish with a pot of Longjing tea for a perfect match.
• Locals often recommend ordering this dish as a main for a lighter, more refined meal.

3. Dongpo Pork

The tender pork belly was bathed in a soy-based sauce, and as I took my first bite, the richness of the meat melted in my mouth. The sauce was a perfect balance of sweet and savoury, with hints of wine and ginger. The fat of the pork was so tender that it practically dissolved, leaving behind a melt-in-your-mouth experience.

📖 About Dongpo Pork

Dongpo Pork is one of Hangzhou’s most beloved dishes, named after the famous poet and gastronome Su Dongpo. Legend has it that Su created this dish to celebrate his promotion, and it quickly became a staple in Hangzhou.

🍴 Best Places to Try

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect For

This dish is perfect for meat lovers, those seeking a comforting meal.

💡 Pro Tips

• Order with steamed buns to soak up the delicious sauce.
• For an authentic experience, enjoy it with a cup of locally brewed tea.

4. Zhiweiguan Pastries

The moment I took a bite of the Tiaotou Cake (条头糕), its soft, chewy texture delighted my taste buds. The sweetness was subtle, with a hint of nuttiness. But my favourite was the Longjing Tea Biscuit (龙井茶饼), where the delicate fragrance of the famous Longjing tea infused each bite, leaving a refreshing aftertaste.

📖 About Zhiweiguan Pastries

Zhiweiguan has been serving Hangzhou’s beloved pastries for its dedication to traditional recipes, the bakery creates famous treats like Tiaotou Cake, Dingsheng Cake, and Longjing Tea Biscuits.

🍴 Best Places to Try

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect For

These pastries are perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth, especially those who enjoy light, traditional desserts.

💡 Pro Tips

• Grab a variety of pastries to taste the different textures and flavours.
• Try pairing the Longjing Tea Biscuit with a pot of—you guessed it—Longjing tea!

5. Lotus Root Powder

The powder, mixed with warm water, created a smooth, slightly sweet soup with an earthy flavour. The texture was silky, almost like a gentle hug for the soul. The powder itself had a subtle lotus root taste, with a soft, natural sweetness that was refreshing yet soothing.

📖 About Lotus Root Powder

This traditional Hangzhou delicacy is made by grinding dried lotus root into a fine powder, which is then mixed with water to create a smooth, sweet drink. Often enjoyed as a dessert or a snack, it’s a favourite among locals for its health benefits, as lotus root is believed to have cooling properties.

🍴 Best Places to Try

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect For

Perfect for those looking for a light, soothing snack or dessert.

💡 Pro Tips

• Often served warm, but it’s just as refreshing cold—especially in summer!
• Locals sometimes pair it with small pastries, creating a light, satisfying snack.

6. Crab Roe Noodles

As soon as the bowl of Crab Roe Noodles (蟹黄面) arrived, I was greeted by the rich aroma of fresh crab and a delicate, golden broth that shimmered under the light. The noodles were perfectly cooked—slightly chewy, with a satisfying bite. The real star was the crab roe: rich, creamy, and slightly sweet.

📖 About Crab Roe Noodles

Crab Roe Noodles is a Hangzhou speciality, combining delicate noodles with crab roe. The dish is typically served with a light, savoury broth made from crab and sometimes enriched with a dash of wine or vinegar.

🍴 Best Places to Try

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect For

Perfect for seafood lovers, especially those who enjoy rich, luxurious flavours.

💡 Pro Tips

• Ask for extra crab roe if you want to elevate the flavour.
• Pair it with a simple side of steamed buns to balance the richness.

7. Hangzhou Braised Duck

The moment Braised Duck arrived, the glossy, dark brown sauce gleamed on the tender duck, its aroma filling the air with a blend of soy, spices, and a slight sweetness. As I took my first bite, the meat was perfectly cooked, with a slightly crispy skin that added texture to each mouthful.

📖 About Hangzhou Braised Duck

Hangzhou Braised Duck is a classic local dish known for its rich, savoury flavour. The duck is first marinated and then braised in a sauce made from soy sauce, sugar, and a variety of spices, giving it its distinctive dark colour and deep taste.

🍴 Best Places to Try

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect For

This dish is perfect for meat lovers and anyone who enjoys a savoury, rich meal.

💡 Pro Tips

• Best enjoyed with a side of steamed rice to soak up the delicious sauce.
• Ask for extra sauce; it adds so much depth to the dish!

8. Su Yu (酥鱼)

The fish, fried to a perfect golden crisp, was topped with a delicate sweet and savoury sauce. As I took my first bite, the crunchy exterior gave way to tender, flaky fish that was wonderfully moist. The combination of the crispy skin and the soft flesh was satisfying.

📖 About Su Yu (酥鱼)

Su Yu, or Crispy Fish, is a classic Hangzhou dish where the fish is deep-fried until golden and then coated with a sweet, savoury sauce.  The sauce is made with soy, sugar, and a hint of vinegar. The fish used is usually freshwater, and the frying technique ensures a crisp, delicate outer layer while keeping the flesh juicy and tender.

🍴 Best Places to Try

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect For

This dish is perfect for seafood lovers, those who enjoy a crispy texture.

💡 Pro Tips

• Enjoy it with a side of steamed rice to soak up the delicious sauce.
• Ask for extra sauce if you like a bit more flavour with each bite.

9. Pian Er Chuan (片儿川)

The noodles were thin and slightly chewy, perfectly cooked in a clear, fragrant broth. As I took a spoonful of the soup, there’s a delicate balance of savoury with a hint of sweetness. The dish was topped with slices of tender pork, fresh vegetables, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs, all of which added depth and texture to each bite.

📖 About Pian Er Chuan (片儿川)

Pian Er Chuan is a traditional Hangzhou noodle soup known for its light, clear broth and simple, yet flavorful ingredients. Pian Er Chuan has comforting and refreshing qualities. 

🍴 Best Places to Try

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect For

Perfect if you’re seeking a simple, wholesome dish with authentic Hangzhou flavours.

💡 Pro Tips

• Add a little chilli paste if you prefer a bit of heat with your soup.
• Locals love pairing this with a side of pickled vegetables to add an extra zing.

10. Mei Gan Cai Pie (梅干菜饼)

The pie had a golden, crispy crust that cracked satisfyingly with each bite, revealing a rich, savoury filling of pickled mustard greens (mei gan cai). The greens were deeply flavourful—earthy, slightly tangy, and packed with umami, which contrasted perfectly with the buttery, flaky crust.

📖 About Mei Gan Cai Pie (梅干菜饼)

Mei Gan Cai Pie is a traditional Hangzhou snack made with pickled mustard greens, a popular ingredient in Chinese cuisine known for its tangy and salty flavour. 

🍴 Best Places to Try

It can be found everywhere. Choose a random local restaurant and you can find the authentic flavour.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect For

Perfect for those who enjoy savoury snacks with a bit of tang, especially those who appreciate traditional, flavourful bites.

💡 Pro Tips

• Enjoy it with a cup of Longjing tea to balance the savoury flavours.
• Order a couple of pies to share with friends, so you can try different flavours.

Eat Your Way Through: Best Hangzhou Food Street

1. Shenglihe Food Street

Shenglihe Food Street is located along the scenic Shengli River, this food street is famous for its vibrant atmosphere and wide selection of Hangzhou’s traditional snacks.

🍽️ What to Try

• West Lake Vinegar Fish (西湖醋鱼)
• Crab Roe Noodles (蟹黄面)
• Wufan Cake (乌饭糕)

2. Qinghefang Street

Qinghefang Street is one of the most famous food streets in Hangzhou, steeped in history and vibrant with traditional architecture. Here, you can stroll through a bustling market filled with local snacks, handcrafted souvenirs, and street food vendors

🍽️ What to Try

• Tiaotou Cake (条头糕)
• Shengjianbao (生煎包)
• Longjing Tea Biscuits (龙井茶饼)

3. Wushan Night Market

Wushan Night Market is a popular evening spot where you can experience a mix of Hangzhou's traditional street food and modern eats. Located near Wushan Square, this vibrant food market is full of local vendors selling everything.

🍽️ What to Try

• Grilled Skewers (烧烤)
• Fried Rice (炒饭)
• Sweet Lotus Root (糖藕)

Discover Hangzhou’s Unforgettable Food Journey

No trip to Hangzhou is complete without indulging in its delicious food. Every corner of the city offers a unique taste of Hangzhou’s rich culinary heritage. So, next time you find yourself in this beautiful city, be sure to take your time, explore Hangzhou food streets, and let your taste buds experience the best Hangzhou has to offer. Happy eating!