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April 9, 2015

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Home » City specials » Hangzhou

Where to go to sate late night munchies

By Xu Wenwen | April 9, 2015, Thursday | Print Edition

MAJOR Asian metropolises often include amazing night markets that come to life well after the sun goes down. They feature a tantalizing array of snacks and dishes to take away hunger pangs.

While Hangzhou does not feature a night food market considered a “must-see,” there are several strips in almost every district that serve up a variety of tasty food.

These strips have evolved naturally over time. Today Shanghai Daily explores the popular night food strips around West Lake, except Hefang Street, which is already well known among visitors to the city.

Standing south of West Lake and north of the Qiantang River, Yuhuang Hill is a good hiking place with gorgeous vistas of both waterways. The area has also featured numerous farms for generations.

But rising housing prices around West Lake has meant the number of farms on or below the hill has dwindled. Yet hikers keep coming.

The remaining farmers have opened small eateries and teahouses to attract the hikers. Now it’s a street of nongjiale, or happy farmer houses.

The path known as Kuoshiban is near the China National Silk Museum on Yuhuangshan Road.

Nan Shan Ren Jia is the largest eatery. It and the other happy farmer houses close around 9pm, however, opposite the silk museum is a path leading to Lao Yang BBQ, which has a great reputation among locals and only opens at night.

Every night long queues form at the booth. Lao Yang is famous for its grilled yellow croaker (ask for kao huangyu), but be patient as the wait time can be about 30 minutes.

The eastern area of West Lake is not too far from Hefang Street, a place swarming with tourists, so for a more local experience head to Zhongshan Road S.

Starting from the Drum Tower, Zhongshan Road S. features barbecued foods along with noodles, dumplings, snacks and other dishes from around China.

The northern part of the street, about 500 meters from Shiwukui Lane to Taimiao Lane, has a food plaza. It has a section for stir-fried dishes, snacks from other provinces, wantons, pastries and many other treats. Remember that there is no seating area.

There are, however, a collection of Hangzhou, Sichuan and Cantonese restaurants with plenty of tables and seats.

Try the fried buns at the shop right by the entrance of the Drum Tower. Hangzhou locals flock here in the morning for breakfast.

Bars, cafes and restaurants make Baishaquan a popular hangout spot among locals. The tranquil hilly area has nice views and convenient transportation.

Maya Bar is the first option on the strip, which due to the surrounding trees, has a secluded feel. Maya may not be the newest or trendiest bar in town, but it is still popular because the drinks aren’t overpriced like at some other bars. Light background music and American food make it a good place for conversation. Fengdu Restaurant is next door and serves authentic Hangzhou cuisines.

There’s an international feel to Baishaquan with a French, Thai and Spanish restaurant. There are also two Taiwanese restaurants, a Sichuan eatery and a seafood barbecue joint.

Several street vendors appear at night selling grilled kebabs to customers who have just finished a night of karaoke singing or dancing in nearby KTVs and pubs.

Dozens of youth hostels and boutique hotels sit west of West Lake, an area featuring the most serene and pleasant views of the famous body of water.

This area has retained its natural beauty that has inspired Chinese poets for generations.

Maojiabu Village is in the area and is famous for Longjing tea, one of the most famous and expensive of all green teas in the country.

Maojiabu is down a tiny lane off Longjing Road, but it features natural scenery and interesting architecture, both old and new.

Near the entrance to Maojiabu there are a cluster of nongjiale and other restaurants. Several are along the lake shore.

If possible, come in the late afternoon or early evening when there is still some daylight.

Go for a hike and then try some tea before choosing a nongjiale for a nice meal of Hangzhou dishes.

Hangzhou


 

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