5 Hangzhou Restaurants Serving the Best Beggar’s Chicken

China Explorer Tour

·September 25, 2025

·9 min read

Looking for hangzhou beggar’s chicken where to eat? You should check out Lou Wai Lou, Lotus Garden Cuisine, Hangzhou Restaurant, Baozhongbao Shifu, and Fuyuanju Jiulou. These places serve authentic beggar's chicken. You can discover these culinary gems with a tailored foodie adventure from China Explorer Tour.

Key Takeaways

Visit Lou Wai Lou for a taste of history. This restaurant has served Beggar’s Chicken since 1848, offering a classic experience.
Lotus Garden Cuisine uses traditional methods to prepare Beggar’s Chicken. Their unique marination and wrapping techniques ensure juicy, flavorful meat.
Make reservations in advance for Beggar’s Chicken. Many restaurants only prepare a limited number each day, so booking helps avoid disappointment.

hangzhou beggar’s chicken where to eat

If you want to know hangzhou beggar’s chicken where to eat, you have come to the right place. Let’s explore the five best restaurants in hangzhou for this famous dish. Each spot offers something special, so you can find the perfect place for your foodie adventure.

Lou Wai Lou

Lou Wai Lou is a legend in Hangzhou. This restaurant has served locals and travelers since 1848. Many people say the Beggar’s Chicken here is excellent. The chicken comes out tender and full of flavor. Some guests love how the meat falls off the bone and enjoy the fun of unwrapping the lotus leaf. You get a taste of history with every bite. Some reviews mention the service and hygiene could be better, but the dish itself stands out. China Explorer Tour works with Lou Wai Lou to make sure you get an authentic experience. You can relax and focus on the food while your guide handles the details.

Tip: Try the Beggar’s Chicken at Lou Wai Lou for a classic taste and a bit of Hangzhou’s past.

Lotus Garden Cuisine

Lotus Garden Cuisine brings traditional Hangzhou cooking to life. Here, chefs use a special method for Beggar’s Chicken. They marinate and stuff the chicken, then wrap it in lotus leaves, parchment, and mud. This keeps the chicken juicy and locks in the flavors. The lotus leaf gives the dish a unique smell that you will remember. If you want to see how real Hangzhou chefs prepare this dish, this is the place to go. The restaurant’s focus on old-school techniques makes it one of the best restaurants in hangzhou for food lovers.

Hangzhou Restaurant

Hangzhou Restaurant sits near West Lake and has been open since 1921. This place is famous for its Beggar’s Chicken, which has a history of over 300 years. The dish is part of local culture and even appears in the Hangzhou Dish Museum. You can taste tradition in every bite. The restaurant’s long history and tasty food make it a must-visit when you ask hangzhou beggar’s chicken where to eat.

Aspect	Details
Restaurant Name	Hangzhou Restaurant
Founded	1921
Location	Near West Lake, Hangzhou
Dish	Beggar's Chicken
Historical Context	The dish has a history of over 300 years, deeply rooted in local culture.
Recognition	Known for particularly tasty Beggar's Chicken, featured in the Hangzhou Dish Museum.

Baozhongbao Shifu

Baozhongbao Shifu is a favorite for home-style Hangzhou food. This restaurant has been around for over 20 years and is known for good value and great taste. It even has a Bib Gourmand award, which means you get high quality without spending too much. The chefs pay close attention to every dish, from cold appetizers to braised pork. Their Beggar’s Chicken is no exception. If you want to try hangzhou beggar’s chicken where to eat like a local, this spot is a top pick among the best restaurants in hangzhou.

Evidence Type	Description
Home-style Hangzhou cooking	Baozhongbao Shifu is recognized for its home-style Hangzhou cooking and has been a household name for over 20 years.
Bib Gourmand status	The restaurant is noted for its good quality and good value cooking, as indicated by its Bib Gourmand status.
Signature dishes	The meticulous preparation of dishes, including cold appetizers and braised pork, showcases the restaurant's culinary skills.

Fuyuanju Jiulou

Fuyuanju Jiulou gives you a real show with your meal. The Beggar’s Chicken comes wrapped in lotus leaves, sometimes covered in wet clay and straw. Chefs bake it in an open wood fire, just like in the old days. When they crack open the hard clay or dough crust at your table, you get a “wow” moment. The smell of the lotus leaf fills the air, and the chicken inside is soft and tasty. If you want a meal that is both delicious and fun, Fuyuanju Jiulou is where you should go when you wonder hangzhou beggar’s chicken where to eat.

The dish is wrapped in lotus leaves for extra flavor.
Some chefs use clay and straw, baking it in a wood fire.
The dramatic cracking of the crust adds excitement to your meal.

Note: China Explorer Tour can help you book a table at any of these best restaurants in hangzhou. You get local tips and a smooth experience, so you can focus on enjoying your Beggar’s Chicken.

If you want to discover hangzhou beggar’s chicken where to eat, these five places will not disappoint. With China Explorer Tour, you get more than just a meal—you get a true taste of Hangzhou’s food culture.

traditional restaurants

Location

You can find the most famous traditional restaurants for Beggar’s Chicken in some of Hangzhou’s best spots. Many of these places sit near West Lake, a beautiful area that draws both locals and travelers. Here’s a quick look at where you might go:

Restaurant Name	Address	Signature Dishes
Lou Wai Lou	30 Gushan Road, Solitary Hill, Hangzhou	Beggar’s Chicken, West Lake Fish, Dongpo Pork
Tian Wai Tian	2 Tianlan Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou	Beggar’s Chicken, Fried Shrimps with Longjing Tea
Grandma’s Kitchen	2/F, 3 Hubin Lu, Shangcheng District	Beggar’s Chicken, Chicken with Longjing Tea
Shang Palace	78 Beishan Road, Hangzhou	Beggar’s Chicken, Dongpo Pork

You can visit these most famous traditional restaurants with China Explorer Tour. Your guide will help you find the best spots and share stories about each place.

Specialty

The most famous traditional restaurants in Hangzhou keep the old ways alive. You get to taste Beggar’s Chicken just like people did during the Qing dynasty. Here’s what makes these places special:

Chefs use local chickens, Shaoxing yellow wine, and West Lake lotus leaves.
They marinate the chicken, stuff it with seasonings, and wrap it in lotus leaves.
The chicken gets covered in a mix of mud, salt, and alcohol, then cooks for hours in a stove.
The story of the beggar and the Emperor lives on in every dish.

Lou Wai Lou, for example, has served Beggar’s Chicken since 1848. You can see how these traditional restaurants work hard to keep the real flavors and cooking methods alive.

Reviews

People love the experience at these most famous traditional restaurants. Many say 28 HuBin Road serves superb Beggar’s Chicken with a unique taste. Some guests think Lou Wai Lou feels a bit touristy, but they still enjoy the food and the history. You get a mix of fine dining and local tradition. China Explorer Tour can help you read reviews, pick the right spot, and even book your table. That way, you can focus on enjoying every bite.

Tip: Ask your guide about the story behind Beggar’s Chicken. You’ll enjoy your meal even more when you know its history!

China Explorer Tour Local Foodie Experiences

Tailored Culinary Tours

You want more than just a meal when you travel. With China Explorer Tour, you get a food journey made just for you. Your guide helps you taste authentic local cuisine, including the famous Beggar’s Chicken. You can see how chefs wrap the chicken in lotus leaves and mud, then bake it until it is tender and full of flavor. Many travelers love trying this dish at Louwailou Restaurant. Here is what you can expect:

Feature	Description
Dish Name	Beggar's Chicken
Origin	A beggar in Changshu Prefecture, Hangzhou, created the dish by wrapping a chicken in mud and roasting it.
Taste	Savory aroma, tender chicken, served on a lotus leaf, fresher and less greasy.
Recommended Restaurant	Louwailou Restaurant (楼外楼)
Price	168 yuan

You can also try other local favorites. Some guests say the Peking duck in Beijing and the dumpling banquet in Xi'an are must-tries. Lunch at a local home is another highlight. You always get a wide variety of authentic local cuisine on these tours.

Cultural Immersion

You do not just eat the food—you learn the stories behind it. Local guides help you find hidden restaurants and avoid tourist traps. They share the history and culture of each dish, so you understand why it matters. You might even visit a tea village, pick tea leaves, and watch how locals fry and brew the best tea in China. Your guide makes sure you enjoy authentic hangzhou cuisine and see the real side of the city. Every meal becomes a chance to connect with local people and traditions.

Tip: Ask your guide about the meaning of each dish. You will enjoy your food even more when you know its story.

Tips for Enjoying Beggar’s Chicken

Reservations

You might think you can just walk into any restaurant and order Beggar’s Chicken, but that’s not always true. Many places in Hangzhou need you to book ahead, especially if you want this special dish. Some restaurants only make a few each day because the cooking takes hours. If you travel with China Explorer Tour, your guide can help you reserve a table and make sure your Beggar’s Chicken is ready when you arrive. This saves you time and helps you avoid disappointment.

Tip: Call the restaurant or ask your guide to book at least one day in advance for the best experience.

Best Times

You get the best Beggar’s Chicken when you visit during lunch or early dinner. Restaurants often serve the freshest dishes at these times. Weekends and holidays can get busy, so try to go on a weekday if you want a quieter meal. If you join a foodie tour, your guide knows the best times to visit each spot for authentic hangzhou food. This way, you enjoy your meal without waiting in long lines.

What to Expect

When you order Beggar’s Chicken in Hangzhou, you get more than just food. The dish comes wrapped in lotus leaves and clay, making the presentation feel like a little show. At places like Hangzhou Restaurant, you sit near West Lake and watch as the server cracks open the clay right at your table. The smell of the lotus leaf fills the air, and the chicken inside is tender and full of flavor. The staff usually explains the story behind the dish, so you learn something new while you eat. You can expect friendly service, a cozy setting, and a meal you will remember.

Note: With China Explorer Tour, you get local tips and help with everything, so you can relax and enjoy every bite.

You get the best Beggar’s Chicken in Hangzhou at these five spots because each uses time-honored methods like marinating with spices and baking in lotus leaves. Travelers rave about the delicious food and fair prices.

You enjoy real flavors with local guides from China Explorer Tour.
Every tour matches your tastes and dietary needs.
Ready for a true foodie adventure? Discover Hangzhou’s best with China Explorer Tour!

FAQ

What is Beggar’s Chicken?

Beggar’s Chicken is a famous Hangzhou dish. Chefs wrap chicken in lotus leaves and clay, then bake it. You get juicy, flavorful meat with a fun presentation.

Do I need to order Beggar’s Chicken in advance?

Yes, you usually need to order ahead. The dish takes hours to prepare. Ask your guide or call the restaurant before you go.

Can China Explorer Tour help with food allergies?

Absolutely! Let your guide know about any allergies. They will talk to the restaurant and make sure your meal is safe and enjoyable.