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November 13, 2013

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Home » City specials » Hangzhou

Road named for famous temple has heavenly eats

By Wu Huixin | November 13, 2013, Wednesday | Print Edition

Some of Hangzhou’s roads were named after historic sites in the area. Xiangjisi Road is a good example. It was named for Xiangji Temple centuries ago; si means temple in Chinese.

In ancient times, the Buddhist temple drew an endless stream of believers since it was favorably located near the Grand Canal. In status it was a match for Hangzhou’s famous Lingyin (Soul’s Retreat) Temple.

Xiangji (meaning incense accumulation) Temple was built in AD 978 and given its name by Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty (AD 960-1279). It is the only temple in China dedicated to the worship of the Kinnara, a celestial musician and a half-human, half-horse divinity. In parts of Southeast Asia, Kinnara are depicted as half-bird.

Like many other temples that experienced twists and turns due to the changes of dynasties, Xiangji Temple fell into ruin during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). Emperor Hongwu of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) rebuilt it.

In Emperor Kangxi’s reign during the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), two pagodas featuring engraved Buddha figures and scriptures were established in the temple. One was demolished by war, and in 1968, the remaining one was listed as a protected relic.

In 2009, the Hangzhou government restored Xiangji Temple again using tons of copper, which made the temple seem splendid and solemn.

Xiangjisi Road connects with Shiting Road in the southwest and Dongxin Road in the northeast. It is mainly lined with residential buildings but also has boutiques, restaurants and other attractions.

Seoul Furnace

The temperature has dropped recently, making grilled meat popular again with diners. Sitting around a hot grill and sampling sizzling meat is especially enjoyable in late autumn.

Residents on Xiangjisi Road are lucky because an authentic Korean restaurant, Shou’er Huo Lu (Seoul Furnace), is located there, offering tasty Korean cuisine at reasonable prices.

Apart from typical roasted meat, other must-orders here include pickled vegetables, a fermented and spicy appetizer, and bibimbap, rice mixed with assorted vegetables and meat, as well as traditional rice cakes.

Address: 160 Yansan Rd, alongside Xiangjisi Rd

Tel: (0571) 8586-5682

Laodao Pastry

It often has been said that word gets around about great products. That certainly appears to be the case with Tangqi Laodao Pastry.

Although the facade of the shop is inconspicuous, plenty of people are drawn there by its famous and tasty goodies.

Laodao pastry even has its own historical tale shrouded in mystery — it is said that Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) once arrived at Tangqi Town during a southbound trip, tasted Laodao pastry there and found it delicious.

For centuries, sweet-toothed Hangzhou natives have considered Laodao pastry made in Tangqi Town in Yuhang District the best.

Fans of Laodao pastry previously had to spend several hours on the bus traveling to Tangqi to buy some. Now, residents of Xiangjisi Road need not go that far, since a branch shop selling authentic Laodao pastry is there.

Bean crunch candy, walnut slices, sesame cakes and loquat candy are among the best-selling items.

Address: 168-2 Xiangjisi Rd

Tel: 1515-8127-526

Shen Xian Ju Shaobing

This cooked cake, or shaobing, dubbed “Chinese pizza” has a golden yellow, crispy crust, a mouth-watering smell and comes in savory and sweet varieties. Unlike pizza’s toppings, shaobing is stuffed with preserved vegetables and meat.

Considered a grassroots, typical Chinese snack and breakfast food, shaobing rarely appears on menus of restaurants.

It is usually sold on streets, especially in residential communities. Shen Xian Ju is a low-profile store that offers the treat. Customers often line up in front of the oven waiting for batches of hot, fresh shaobing to emerge.

During the wait, they can watch the vendors making it — inserting stuffing into the dough, rolling it into round or elliptical shapes, and topping it with black or white sesame seeds. Then, they put the dough inside the oven.

After about a minute, the shaobing is ready and vendors use long tongs to retrieve the hot and brittle goodness for customers to enjoy.

Address: 302 Xiangjisi Rd


 

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