Die-Die-Must-Try Hangzhou Cuisine

(1) West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy (西湖醋鱼)

West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy is a famous dish with traditional flavor. It is cooked with live grass carp. The fish need to be put in the cage to hunger it for two or three days, to let go the trash in its bowels and the smell of soil. The fire need to be strictly controlled when cooking it. In the 1950s, the best West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy was at Lou Wai Lou.

(2) Braised Dongpo Pork (东坡肉)

It is said that Braised Dong Po Pork was firstly made by the great litterateur Su Dongpo (Su Shi), he helped people in the flood on Xuzhou when he was the governor. In order to thank him, citizens send him plentiful pork when knowing that he was fond of that. Su Dongpo accepted the gifts and cooked them in his special way. He sent the cooked pork to citizens, they were deeply moved by Su Dongpo. This tasty dish was then called Braised Dong Po Pork. Braised Dong Po Pork Restaurants are Lou Wai Lou, Zhi Wei Guan, Huang Fan Er and Wai Po Jia.

(3) Beggar's Chicken (叫花鸡)

It is said that this dish was first made by a beggar. One day, the beggar got a chicken but he can't cook it since he has neither cooking equipment nor seasonings. Finally he wrapped the chicken in mud and baked it. To his surprise, the chicken was very tasty with his cooking method. A restaurant heard this and made some improvement to this dish, the dish was thus named. Several hundred years has passed, the cooking process was well developed and this dish has then become one of the most famous Hangzhou cuisines. Beggar's Chicken Restaurants are Lou Wai Lou, Zhi Wei Guan and Tian Wai Tian.

(4) Fried Shrimps with Long Jing Tea Leaves (龙井虾仁)

This dish was originated from Imperial Palace. It is said that Emperor Qian Long got some best Long Jing tea when he was on the royal progress. He brought the tea back to the Palace and the imperial cook made a dish with Long Jing tea and shrimps. When tasting the dish, Emperor Qian Long was very happy and he rewarded the cook. Later, there is a dish called Fried Shrimps with Long Jing Tea Leaves in Hangzhou Tian Wai Tian Restaurant. The dish is fragrant with both smell of Long Jing tea and shrimps, it had been one of the best Hangzhou cuisines from then on. Best Fried Shrimps with Long Jing Tea Leaves Restaurants are Lou Wai Lou, Tian Wai Tian, Shan Wai Shan and Huang Fan Er.

(5) Chun Cai Soup (西湖莼菜汤)

(6) Oil Rapid Shoot (油焖春笋)