SSAW Boutique Hotel Hangzhou Xixi Park

The restaurant’s location outside the city centre – in Xixi National Wetland Park – doesn’t deter diners! The lush surroundings, charming garden, understated decor and quality food make the trip worthwhile. Taizhou classics like deep-fried hairtail and braised giant yellow croaker are a must. Surprisingly, the kitchen is also well-versed in Hangzhou cooking, such as soft, chewy braised pork intestine, jazzed up with a dash of spiciness.

Ru Yuan stands amid lush vegetation. Though the menu seems to feature familiar dishes like Xihu fish in vinegar sauce or sautéed shrimps with Longjing tea leaves, each one has been extensively fine-tuned and tweaked. The chef’s personal character shines through in the meticulous details. The gold medal braised pork exudes winey aromas; the pork is sliced thinly and shaped into a pagoda for perfect texture and exquisite plating.

Nothing speaks of the ethos of this restaurant serving Wenzhou and Taizhou dishes more eloquently than its name – yes, freshness is key. The freshest seafood from southern Zhejiang, such as razor clams, live oysters and mud whelks are prepared in myriad ways. The springy fishcake bursts with seafood umami. The duck soup with Chinese herbal medicine is both tasty and nourishing. The dim sum, eg rice cake or wheat cake, are rustic and comforting.

Set in a luxury lakeside hotel, amid ponds and manicured gardens, this handsome restaurant is depicted by a classical Chinese vibe. The kitchen team sources seasonal ingredients from all over China to craft Zhejiang neo-classics with a modern twist. Meticulously sliced and perfectly textured, the braised pork belly is well worth the wait. The dim sum lunch is also popular: try crabmeat and roe xiao long bao or sticky rice roll.

The sign says ‘1987’ because that is when the owner became a professional chef. Known for authentic Hangzhou cooking at bargain prices, this neighbourhood joint does not have a paper menu. Pick your own river fish and veggies, and specify how you want them cooked or check out the blackboard for specials. Sweet and sour pork ribs boast a crisp crust covered in a punchy sauce. Finish with sweet glutinous rice wine with osmanthus aroma made from house-made distillers’ grains.

The Zen-inspired, wood-rich room overlooks a serene Japanese rock garden. It serves an eclectic plant-based menu that draws on both Chinese traditions and global influences, featuring top-notch organic produce and combinations that spin with the seasons. In the open kitchen by the entrance, hearty soups are simmered over charcoal – try their hazelnut burdock soup. Dim sum like dark rye wontons are best enjoyed with silky hazelnut-brown rice milk.

Close to Lingyin Temple and Amanfayun resort, this rustic-style restaurant has a serene vibe. On the menu, classic Jiangzhe dishes get a refined makeover with some creative and surprising combinations. The signature double-boiled deboned chicken with termite mushrooms is loaded with deep flavours. The signature rice cake in chopped crab sauce is another standout. House-brewed fruit wines, such as bayberry, plum and lychee, are also worth a try.