On a calm night, I walk between the numerous food kiosks purposely organized to produce a myriad of sweet smelling spicy, mild and brawny scents redolent of Chinese food; which got me thinking of my first time in China- I had just arrived from the airport
On a calm night, I walk between the numerous food kiosks purposely organized to produce a myriad of sweet smelling spicy, mild and brawny scents redolent of Chinese food; which got me thinking of my first time in China- I had just arrived from the airport with a grumbling stomach and the nearby food streets I visited only served Chinese food.
Photo: dreamstime
A year down the line, and I could shove lumps of dumplings into my throat, with no stress. Don’t get me wrong, but sometimes it feels like I am the only one among my foreign friends, who is absolutely interested in Chinese cuisine. Many other foreigners just coil up when they hear Chinese food and are only interested when they are desperately in need of food to fill their hungry bellies. But the best part of living in Hangzhou is that the cuisine served here is very classic. It definitely has nothing to do with fried grasshoppers or roasted snake, and is the type you should definitely try.
Forget what you read online about broths and fishes that cost more than 1000RMB in a restaurant (at least close, lol). This article aims to help foreigners try out the different, ready-to-go dishes on food trucks and small kiosks in food streets and local spots in Hangzhou.
Photo: Ctrip
From noodle meals to even simple snacks like as jianbing, Hangzhou foods are mostly very spicy with a touch of pepper; definitely hot enough to keep the cold weather away from your body. Hangzhou cuisine is a sweet and sour bursting with different savory flavors.
Photo:Cy8
Jimifan (鸡米饭): this can literally be translated as Chicken rice food. It is basically rice with chicken soup. Jimifan is mostly, if not always, eaten hot and you can order your desired level of peppery taste in the soup. In some shops, the soup contains ingredients like toudoufu, mushrooms, potatoes and some greens. What I like about this dish is that the meat is always tender and soaks up the flavor of the soup providing that orgasmic thrill from every piece dropped into your mouth. Like any other street food, jimifan is cheap and more than worth its price. This meal can be found in numerous food streets, you just have to look a little harder, then, Voila! A moment of victory and satisfaction. A meal of jimifan a day will definitely keep the hungry bear away. You should definitely check out the Nansongyu Jie Food Street in the evening. Zhongshang Nan Lu, Shancheng District, Hangzhou. Take bus numbers: 8, 59,87, 189, 190, 198, 208, 301, 404, 510,514, 801,808, 834, k195, k315, y6 to Gulou.
You can also visit the Shenglihe food street by taking these buses: 193, 82,41,76, 198, 33, 69, 403, and 191.
Photo: Dianping
‘Banmian’ noodles with pork fat(拌面):the thought of this meal gives me chills! It is absolutely a must try. It is noodles with a sauce that tastes like soy sauce. The surface layer may be covered with pork and some greens then comes the noodles of life- mix the noodles with the sauce and then get ready to munch on a great deal of pleasure. Speaking of noodles, there are a countless number of noodle shops that serve deep fried noodles sautéed with cabbage, eggs and carrots that add that crispy, fresh smelling aroma to the noodles which is absolutely to die for. You could visit Hefang Lu for delicious noodles. In factHefang Lu serves customers with a wide variety of noodle dishes to choose from like the Hangzhou-styled noodles, shrimp and eel noodles and many others. Buses that go there include 16, 35, 52, 814, 198, 151,220
Photo: nipic
DongPo Pork(东坡肉): this is a very popular delicacy here in Hangzhou. It is usually found in restaurants. You can take a trip to the Guangfu Lu Food Street where you can buy Donggo Pork for a much cheaper price. The fatty and lean pork is very tender and well-seasoned in sweet and sticky sauce. You can try it with some boiled rice or just gobble everything in and wash your tongue off with some chilled beer. Guangfu Lu Food Street provides a variety of delicious snacks and Chinese cuisines like the Beggar’s chicken and even rarely seen dishes like rabbit’s head and mock turtle soup. You should definitely visit this bustling food street that invites tourists from all around due to the numerous stalls that serve appetizing dishes. Guangfu Lu is pretty close to the Hefang Lu. Buses that go to Guangfu lu include 7, 8, 16, 60, 103, 198,151, 230.
The next time you step into Hangzhou you should be willing to try the amazing delicacies that await you. Instead of digging into an ordered meal by a native and wondering what kind of food that is, make a bold choice and try something new, then you will be amazed how Hangzhou cuisines actually make your head spin while at a standstill.
