Let me tell you... Hangzhou is a food desert

[Cathy Gulgowski]

So if anyone can tell me what's good to eat in Hangzhou, PLEASE let me know! My Sichuan-Chongqing stomach is about to explode. #FoodieTalk #DeliciousPlaces #FoodSavesTheWorld #HangzhouExploration #HangzhouCuisine

If you're coming from the spicy food-loving world of Sichuan or Chongqing, Hangzhou might not be your cup of tea. Hangzhou’s cuisine (called Hang帮cai) tends to be light, fresh, and sweet—completely opposite to the fiery, numbing flavors we love back home. And trust me, it’s hard to find a decently spicy meal here unless you go to a chain restaurant.

For those unfamiliar, Hangzhou is a city famous for its natural beauty like West Lake and Thousand Island Lake, but when it comes to food, well... let's just say it leaves something to be desired for us spice enthusiasts.

Some suggestions that others have mentioned:

• Try the Thousand Island Lake Fish Head Soup. It’s pretty solid, though beware—it comes in MASSIVE portions!
• If all else fails, hit up McDonald’s or KFC and ask them to pile on extra spice.

But seriously, if you’re craving Sichuan/Chongqing-level spiciness, maybe skip Hangzhou and head straight to Chengdu or Chongqing instead.

[Ms. Beatrice Abernathy]

Just grab some instant hotpot seasoning packets and call it a day [wink]