Discover the Essence of Spring in Hangzhou: A Culinary Journey Through Seasonal Dishes
Spring in Hangzhou is a time when the landscapes awaken in a lush tapestry of greens, and the dining tables are adorned with vibrant spring dishes. The region of Jiangnan is susceptible to the arrival of spring—it stirs a longing for the fresh and fleeting flavors that this season brings. As the air warms and nature blooms, the culinary scene in Hangzhou is primed to offer travelers an unforgettable gastronomic experience.
I recently had the pleasure of exploring Hangzhou’s spring dishes thanks to my friend Su, who guided me through numerous local restaurants. My culinary journey was nothing short of delightful, with each dish offering a unique taste of spring. If you crave to savor the “first bite of freshness,” Hangzhou is the place to be.
The Value of Spring Dishes
Spring dishes in Hangzhou are not just about taste—they’re also remarkably cost-effective. This is mainly due to the abundance of fresh, locally sourced spring vegetables like Chinese toon, spring bamboo shoots, broad beans, and Malan heads. After a season of heavier, greasy foods in winter, spring offers a refreshingly light palate. Additionally, some river fish and seafood are in peak season, resulting in plentiful supply and great prices.
The Prime Delight: Chinese Toon
Chinese toon (Toona sinensis) stands as a quintessential spring ingredient in Hangzhou. With its brief one-month peak season, toon dishes have become a sought-after delicacy that signifies the essence of spring. While ubiquitous dishes like scrambled eggs with toons are every day, I explored more unique offerings to share with you.
At **Lan Xuan**, the toon sauce vegan abalone is a revelation. This dish features finely chopped toon blended with vegan abalone, creating an aroma and flavor profile that is unmistakably springtime. **Peony Hall at the West Lake Hotel** serves a simple yet elegant dish of chopped toon with square tofu, seasoned lightly with sesame oil and salt, allowing the freshness of the toon to shine through.
**Jiangnan Yi** introduces sautéed eel with toon, a perfect marriage of two seasonal favorites. The gelatinous feel, enhanced by the fragrant toon and a touch of red pepper, provides a mild heat that accentuates the dish’s freshness. For the ultimate toon experience, **Ru Yuan** offers a bold toon and crab dish, where crispy fried toon pairs harmoniously with tender Matsuba crab, each bite a blend of land and sea.
Additionally, **La Gauche Eatery and Wine**, a hidden gem in Hangzhou, presents an inventive toon oil-drizzled pasta. Rich and flavorful, this dish epitomizes the freshness and vibrancy of spring.
Celebrating Spring Bamboo Shoots
Spring bamboo shoots are another hallmark of Hangzhou’s spring cuisine, often hailed as the “first of mountain treasures.” These tender shoots are not only delicious but also affordable during this season. At **Ru Yuan**, you can savor the mugwort spring bamboo shoot box, an innovative creation featuring tender bamboo shoots filled with smoked fingerling fish and lush mugwort.
**Jiangnan Yi’s** three-cup spring bamboo shoots adopt the Taiwanese three-cup chicken method, blending the slight bitterness of bamboo shoots with a sweet sauce for a delightful contrast. Meanwhile, **Lan Xuan**’s steamed spring bamboo shoots with Nuodeng salted pork balance the freshness of Jiangnan bamboo shoots with the rich flavors of Yunnan salted pork.
For those who appreciate the quintessentially Hangzhou flavor, **Ban Leng Xixi** offers organic spring bamboo shoot tips harvested in the morning dew and served by noon, highlighting their unparalleled freshness. Chef Fu Yueliang’s famous braised pork belly at Ru Yuan incorporates dried bamboo shoots, enhancing the dish with a touch of time’s essence.
Expanding the Spring Menu
Hangzhou’s spring offerings extend beyond toon and bamboo shoots. Broad beans and peas make their seasonal debut in various delightful dishes. **La Gauche Eatery and Wine** serve a broad bean and ham mushroom sandwich, perfect for a springtime lunch. **Lan Xuan** fries broad beans with snow mushrooms, ending up with a crunchy, aromatic snack.
**Ru Yuan** delights with salted pea meal rice, a traditional Hangzhou favorite that combines simple ingredients to create a tender and savory dish. **Ban Leng Xixi**’s spring stone pot baked rice features spring bamboo shoots, lilies, peas, and salted pork, a true aromatic bliss.
For those craving Malan’s heads, **Yueji’s** spring pancakes filled with Malan head and dried tofu offer a refreshing bite, ideal for a spring day.
Embracing River Fish and Seafood
Spring also marks the prime season for river fish and seafood in Hangzhou. The most cherished river delicacies are snails and Zhe fish. **Jiangnan Yi** offers a delectable soup of snails, where snails are boiled in a rich, mildly spicy broth bursting with flavor. **Nanshan Renjia**’s sauced stir-fried snails are rich in aroma and limited daily—arrive early to taste this treat.
**Yueji** prepares a unique Shaoxing-style red-braised snail, using local soy sauce for a richer depth of flavor. For Zhe fish, **Fuyuanju**’s snow vegetable spring bamboo shoot Zhe fish combines the treasures of the mountain and lake, resulting in a remarkable dish.
Longjing shrimp is another notable spring seafood. It is best enjoyed at places like Jinsating, Ziwei Hall, and Ru Yuan, where fresh Longjing tea lends a unique flavor to the shrimp.
A final Treat: Qingtuan
No spring meal in Hangzhou is complete without qingtuan (green rice balls), a dim sum delicacy. **Ru Yuan’s** mugwort qingtuan, with its faint fragrance of mugwort, offers various delicious fillings. **Wang Rong’s Zhuzi family** also makes qingtuan with long lines of eager customers. Their fresh pork with bamboo shoots and snow veggies filling perfectly encapsulates the taste of spring.
Conclusion
Hangzhou in spring is a culinary paradise, with Ru Yuan, Lan Xuan, Nanshan Renjia, Fuyuanju, Yueji, Datang Long Feast, Jiangnan Yi, Ban Leng Xixi, Xi Zi Peony Hall, and La Gauche Eatery and Wine leading the charge in seasonal delights. These restaurants exemplify the essence of spring through their dedication to fresh, local ingredients and creative culinary techniques. Whether you are a seasoned traveler or a food enthusiast, Hangzhou promises a feast for the senses in spring.
For more travel inspiration and culinary adventures, follow and pin this official guide. The seasonal bounty of Hangzhou awaits you!
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