Hangzhou’s cuisine, known as Hangbang cuisine, represents one of the great traditions of Chinese cooking and has a history that dates back over a thousand years. The food from this region is characterized by its light, delicate flavors and its emphasis on fresh, local produce and seafood from the West Lake and the nearby Qiandao Lake and East China Sea. Food in Hangzhou is often cooked using methods such to as stir-frying, steaming, and braising, with a focus on preserving the ingredients' natural flavors.
While enjoying the beautiful scenery of West Lake, tourists can indulge in these exquisite dishes, each telling a unique story about Hangzhou's rich culinary heritage and drawing on the influences from the lake and its surroundings.