Hangzhou China Video

Street Foods of Hangzhou China to Try

Hangzhou, the capital city of China’s Zhejiang province, is known for its scenic beauty, cultural heritage, and of course, its delicious street food. From savory snacks to sweet treats, Hangzhou’s street food scene offers a wide array of flavors and culinary delights. In this article, we will take you on a culinary journey through the streets of Hangzhou, exploring the must-try street foods that will tantalize your taste buds.

Hangzhou Cuisine: A Fusion of Flavors

• West Lake Fish in Vinegar Sauce: This iconic Hangzhou dish features tender, succulent fish fillets cooked in a sweet and sour vinegar sauce. The delicate flavors of the fish combined with the tangy sauce create a harmonious balance of taste.
• Dongpo Pork: Named after the famous Song Dynasty poet Su Dongpo, this braised pork belly dish is a true Hangzhou specialty. The meat is slow-cooked until it becomes incredibly tender, and the rich flavors of the sauce permeate every bite.
• Longjing Shrimp: Longjing tea is a prized local specialty, and it’s often used to infuse a unique flavor into dishes like Longjing Shrimp. Fresh shrimp are stir-fried with the fragrant tea leaves, creating a delightful combination of flavors.
• Beggar’s Chicken: This traditional Hangzhou dish involves marinating a whole chicken in a mixture of spices, wrapping it in lotus leaves, and then baking it slowly. The result is incredibly tender and flavorful chicken with a hint of smokiness.
• Lotus Root Starch Noodles: Made from the starch extracted from lotus roots, these translucent noodles have a unique texture and are often served in a savory broth with various toppings.

Section 2: Breakfast Delights

• Jianbing: A popular Chinese breakfast item, Jianbing is a savory crepe made from a batter of wheat and mung bean flour. It is filled with various ingredients such as eggs, scallions, cilantro, and crispy wonton crackers, then folded and served with a tangy sauce.
• Youtiao: These deep-fried dough sticks are a staple of Chinese breakfast cuisine. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, they are often enjoyed with a bowl of warm soy milk for dipping.
• Huangzhou Congee: A comforting rice porridge, Huangzhou Congee is slow-cooked with various ingredients such as minced pork, preserved vegetables, and century eggs. It is a popular choice for a hearty breakfast in Hangzhou.
• Stinky Tofu: Although the smell may be off-putting to some, stinky tofu is a beloved street food in Hangzhou. The tofu is fermented in a special brine, giving it a pungent aroma and a unique flavor. It is often deep-fried and served with spicy sauce.
• Qingtuan: These vibrant green glutinous rice dumplings are a seasonal treat during the Qingming Festival. They are filled with sweet red bean paste and wrapped in leaves, creating a delightful combination of colors and flavors.

Section 3: Lunchtime Delicacies

• Wushan Grilled Fish: This famous Hangzhou dish consists of a whole fish marinated in a spicy sauce, grilled to perfection, and served with a variety of vegetables. The smoky flavors and tender flesh make it a must-try street food.
• Hangzhou Soy Sauce Duck: Roasted duck is marinated in a special soy sauce blend and then braised until the meat becomes incredibly tender. The rich flavors of the soy sauce permeate the duck, creating a mouthwatering dish.
• Stir-Fried Rice Cakes: Made from glutinous rice flour, these chewy rice cakes are stir-fried with various ingredients such as vegetables, meat, and soy sauce. The result is a satisfying and flavorful dish.
• Shengjian Bao: These pan-fried buns are filled with a mixture of minced pork and broth, creating a juicy and flavorful bite. The buns are crispy on the bottom and soft on the top, making them a popular street food choice.
• Yang Chun Noodles: These springy noodles are served in a flavorful broth with various toppings such as braised pork, pickled vegetables, and soybeans. The combination of textures and flavors makes it a comforting and satisfying lunch option.

Section 4: Afternoon Snacks

• Phoenix Rolls: These crispy and flaky pastries are filled with a sweet bean paste and shaped like a phoenix. They are a popular snack during festivals and are often enjoyed with a cup of tea.
• Osmanthus Jelly: Made from the fragrant osmanthus flowers, this translucent jelly is sweet and refreshing. It is often served chilled and makes for a delightful afternoon treat on a hot day.
• Wonton Soup: These delicate dumplings are filled with a mixture of minced pork and spices, then boiled in a flavorful broth. They are often served with noodles and vegetables, creating a comforting and satisfying snack.
• Crab Shell Pastry: Shaped like a crab shell, this flaky pastry is filled with a sweet lotus seed paste. The pastry is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, making it a popular choice among locals and tourists alike.
• Silk Stocking Tofu: This silky smooth tofu is made by repeatedly boiling soy milk and then cooling it until it solidifies. It is served with a sweet syrup or ginger syrup, creating a light and refreshing snack.

Section 5: Evening Delights

• Steamed Dumplings: These dumplings are filled with a variety of ingredients such as pork, shrimp, or vegetables, then steamed to perfection. They are often served with a dipping sauce and make for a satisfying and flavorful evening snack.
• Fried Stinky Tofu: For those who enjoy the pungent aroma of stinky tofu, the fried version offers a crispy and flavorful twist. The tofu is deep-fried until golden brown and served with spicy sauce, creating a unique and delicious street food experience.
• Sweet Osmanthus Rice Balls: These glutinous rice balls are filled with a sweet osmanthus paste and served in a fragrant osmanthus syrup. The combination of the chewy texture and floral flavors makes it a delightful dessert option.
• Grilled Squid: Fresh squid is marinated in a flavorful sauce, then grilled until tender and slightly charred. The smoky flavors and tender texture make it a popular street food choice for seafood lovers.
• Scallion Pancakes: These savory pancakes are made with a dough infused with scallions, then pan-fried until crispy. They are often enjoyed with a dipping sauce and make for a satisfying and flavorful evening snack.

Section 6: Sweet Treats

• Xiao Long Bao: These small steamed buns are filled with a flavorful broth and minced pork, creating a burst of flavors with each bite. The thin dumpling skin and juicy filling make them a must-try street food in Hangzhou.
• Red Bean Pancakes: These thin pancakes are filled with a sweet red bean paste and pan-fried until golden brown. The combination of the crispy pancake and the creamy red bean filling is a delightful treat.
• Dragon Well Tea Cake: Made with the famous Longjing tea, these tea cakes have a fragrant aroma and a delicate flavor. They are often enjoyed with a cup of tea and make for a perfect souvenir to take home.
• Glutinous Rice Balls in Fermented Rice Soup: These sticky rice balls are served in a sweet and tangy fermented rice soup. The combination of the chewy rice balls and the flavorful soup is a popular dessert choice in Hangzhou.
• Ice Cream Pineapple Bun: This unique dessert combines the soft, fluffy texture of a pineapple bun with a scoop of ice cream. The contrast between the warm bun and the cold ice cream creates a delightful sensory experience.

Section 7: Night Market Delicacies

• Grilled Lamb Skewers: These tender and flavorful skewers are a popular street food choice in Hangzhou’s night markets. The lamb is marinated in a mixture of spices and then grilled to perfection.
• Stir-Fried Spicy Clams: Fresh clams are stir-fried with spicy chili peppers, garlic, and other seasonings, creating a mouthwatering dish with a kick of heat.
• Fried Chicken Wings: Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, these fried chicken wings are a favorite late-night snack among locals and tourists alike.
• Braised Snails: These tender snails are braised in a flavorful sauce, creating a unique and savory street food experience.
• Stir-Fried Squid: Fresh squid is stir-fried with vegetables and seasonings, resulting in a delicious and satisfying dish that is perfect for a late-night snack.

Section 8: Vegetarian Delights

• Buddhist Vegetarian Delights: Hangzhou is home to several Buddhist temples that serve delicious vegetarian cuisine. From mock meat dishes to flavorful tofu creations, these vegetarian delights offer a unique and healthy culinary experience.
• Vegetable Dumplings: These dumplings are filled with a mixture of fresh vegetables and seasonings, then steamed or pan-fried to perfection. They are a popular choice for vegetarians and vegans.
• Stir-Fried Seasonal Vegetables: Hangzhou’s street food scene offers a variety of stir-fried vegetable dishes made with the freshest seasonal produce. From bok choy to lotus root, these dishes showcase the natural flavors of the vegetables.
• Tofu Skin Rolls: These rolls are made with tofu skin and filled with a mixture of vegetables and tofu. They are often served with a flavorful sauce and make for a delicious and nutritious vegetarian snack.
• Vegetarian Hot Pot: Hangzhou’s vegetarian hot pot is a delightful communal dining experience. A variety of fresh vegetables, tofu, and mushrooms are cooked in a flavorful broth, creating a healthy and satisfying meal.

Section 9: Regional Specialties

• Guang Bao Ji: This traditional Hangzhou dish features tender chicken cooked in a fragrant sauce made with ginger, soy sauce, and Shaoxing wine. It is often served with steamed buns or rice.
• Xi Hu Carp Soup: Made with the famous West Lake carp, this soup is cooked with ginger, scallions, and other seasonings, creating a rich and flavorful broth.
• Qian Tang Dried Fish: Hangzhou is known for its dried fish, which is often marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, and spices, then air-dried to perfection. The dried fish can be enjoyed as a snack or used in various dishes.
• Shrimp with Longjing Tea Leaves: Fresh shrimp are stir-fried with Longjing tea leaves, creating a dish that highlights the delicate flavors of the tea and the sweetness of the shrimp.
• Hangzhou Beggar’s Chicken: This traditional dish involves marinating a whole chicken in a mixture of spices, wrapping it in lotus leaves, and then baking it slowly. The result is incredibly tender and flavorful chicken with a hint of smokiness.

Section 10: Conclusion