Zhiweiguan in Hangzhou is an old and well-known restaurant brand that anyone who has spent some time in the city would recognize. In the past, there were quite a few long-established eateries like Zhiweiguan in Hangzhou — places that tourists would often visit for local food. They were also favorites among locals, especially the elderly, who treated them almost like their neighborhood canteens, often stopping by to buy cold dishes or traditional pastries to take home. For them, it’s the taste of familiarity.
One of the most famous snacks is Honey-Glazed Crispy Lotus Root (蜜汁酥藕), a long-time favorite among the older generation, who would make special trips to Zhiweiguan just to buy it. As for me, I preferred dining in and ordering a bowl of Pian’er Chuan (片兒川) — a classic Hangzhou noodle dish that’s a must-try. Back then, Zhiweiguan’s version was considered one of the better ones — delicious, reasonably priced, and generous in portion.
Their Steamed Pork Soup Dumplings (鮮肉小籠包), however, might not suit everyone’s taste — especially if you’re used to the delicate style of Din Tai Fung’s dumplings. Still, dishes like Gluten and Tofu Skin Wraps (面筋千張包), Beef Vermicelli Soup (牛肉粉絲), Duck Blood Soup (鴨血湯), and Wonton Soup (餛飩湯) are all worth trying. It’s also a good place for solo diners — I often went alone for a comforting bowl of noodles when I lived in Hangzhou.
The last time I visited Hangzhou, I didn’t have time to go to one of Zhiweiguan’s city branches, but I happened to spot one at the Hangzhou Airport before my flight and enjoyed a bowl of Pian’er Chuan there. To be honest, in recent years, it’s become harder to find a truly good bowl of Pian’er Chuan in Hangzhou — it just doesn’t taste quite the same as it used to.
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