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Where Binjiang people binge on tasty cuisine
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TODAY, Hangzhou’s Binjiang District is home to Chinese Internet giants such as Alibaba and Netease, as well as offices for international corporations like Bosch and Huawei, and many high-tech enterprises.
But 20 years ago, this area south of the Qiantang River was largely farmland. Beginning in the mid-1990s, plans were launched to turn Binjiang into a new economic development zone, similar to Pudong New Area in Shanghai. Today it is a major hub of China’s high-tech sector featuring wide roads, smooth traffic, new infrastructure, modern office buildings and even a few colleges.
Of course, for the roughly 300,000 people who work, live or study in Binjiang, the area is home to a wide range of restaurants, with options ranging from high-end dining to fried noodle stalls. Today, let’s take a stroll through some of the area’s major dining spots.
Where there’s a school, small eateries offering inexpensive grub to hungry students are usually not far away.
With several colleges in Binjiang District, it’s little surprise that Laxi Street, a street connecting these institutions, has been a magnet for food vendors and restaurants.
In the past, many stalls operating along this strip lacked proper licenses. In fact, it developed the nickname “rubbish street” because of the unsanitary conditions of its small-scale vendors.
Good news came a few months ago, when the local government tore down the illegal buildings, widened the street, and installed public tables and seats, among other improvements.
About 100 vendors are back in the revitalized Laxi Street, all of whom possess relevant licenses and clean kitchens.
Must-try snacks include clams in tinfoil, ice cream on pie, grilled pig feet and fried yogurt — actually frozen yogurt pieces with raisins inside. All items are offered at affordable prices, mostly ranging from 5 yuan (75 US cents) to 30 yuan.
There are over 100 tables lining the street, most of which are sure to be full during dinner time. With patience though, you should be able to grab a free spot.
Binjiang’s Star Avenue consists of a first-phase area east of Binsheng Road, as well as a second-stage project directly on this main thoroughfare.
The first-stage area boasts a shopping center packed with restaurants offering a variety of cuisines.
Wan Oasis offers Southeast Asian cuisine. Authentic Thai curries are its signature dishes, including the sweet massaman curry and the non-spicy yellow.
The curry crab is also recommended. It is coated with a layer of starch before it’s stirred. When it turns yellow, curry, onion, coconut milk and other ingredients are added.
Indonesia chaofan (fried rice) made with nuts, meat floss, raisins, peas and other vegetables is popular among office workers looking for a quick and hearty lunch.
Nearby seafood restaurant Zhen Huo specializes in steamed seafood. Indeed, according to its own slogan, “seafood tastes best when steamed.”
The seafood here is served raw and cooked by diners at a large steamer that can hold up to five dishes, or 10 crabs.
A favorite among foreigners is Marais Bistro, which serves breakfast starting at 8am and also stays open until 2am for late-night revellers.
The restaurant serves up a wide range of early morning staples, including crispy croissants, oven-fresh sandwiches, omelets, cereal porridge and Eggs Benedict. Other recommended dishes include codfish and Angus beef.
At the second-stage area of Star Avenue, one can always find a long queue at Jiang Bu La Ke, which specializes in mutton dishes from the Kunes River area in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
The most remarkable dish is roasted whole lamb. As the name would indicate, diners can expect up to 8 kilograms of golden roasted lamb — so bring your friends and bring your appetite.
Chopsticks won’t work on this beast. Grab a knife and cut into the golden shiny crispy skin, grab the juicy meat with your hands, dip it in cumin or pepper, and have a taste of the real Xinjiang flavor. Be warned though: you’ll have to order in advance for this extravagant lamb feast.
For barbecue, there’s Yingshang French Tepanyaki, where chefs sling flaming hot seafood, meat and vegetables before the eyes of diners.
Frypan offers Korean-style fried chicken and beer. For 45 yuan, diners get seven or eight boneless chicken nuggets; while Korean beer sells for 18 yuan per bottle.
Other choices in this complex include a Thai restaurant, a seafood restaurant and a fusion Chinese restaurant.
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