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Hangzhou’s dessert scene ranges from centuries-old pastries to modern French-style bakeries. The city’s sweets are often light, fragrant and seasonal, with flavors like osmanthus, lotus, red bean and green tea. This guide covers the best Hangzhou desserts and where to find them.
Traditional Hangzhou Desserts
Osmanthus Cake (桂花糕)
A soft, slightly chewy rice cake flavored with sweet osmanthus flowers. Best in autumn.
Where to find: Hefang Street, old pastry shops, autumn markets.
Lotus Root Starch (藕粉)
A warm, translucent pudding made from lotus root starch, often topped with nuts and dried fruit.
Where to find: Traditional dessert shops, temple vegetarian restaurants.
Mung Bean Cake (绿豆糕)
A crumbly, mildly sweet cake made from mung beans. Popular as a gift.
Where to find: Bakeries, souvenir shops.
Ding Sheng Gao (定胜糕)
A steamed rice cake with red bean filling, traditionally eaten for good luck.
Where to find: Hefang Street, snack shops.
Tangyuan (汤圆)
Glutinous rice balls filled with sesame or red bean paste, served in sweet soup.
Where to find: Dessert shops, especially during Lantern Festival.
Best Bakeries in Hangzhou
Traditional Pastry Shops
Old shops near Hefang Street and Qinghefang sell packaged pastries perfect for souvenirs.
Modern Bakeries
French, Japanese and local boutique bakeries can be found in shopping malls and trendy neighborhoods.
What to expect:
- Croissants, cakes, bread.
- Prices: ¥15–40 per item.
- Coffee and tea pairings.
Modern Dessert Cafes
Hangzhou has many dessert cafes serving:
- Matcha desserts
- Mango shaved ice
- Cheese teas
- Soufflé pancakes
- Artisan chocolates
Seasonal Desserts
| Season | Dessert |
|---|---|
| Spring | Green tea desserts, cherry blossom treats |
| Summer | Mung bean soup, shaved ice, lotus root starch |
| Autumn | Osmanthus cake, osmanthus jelly |
| Winter | Tangyuan, red bean soup |
Where to Buy Souvenir Pastries
- Hefang Street: Convenient but tourist-priced.
- Local bakery chains: Better value for packaged goods.
- Airport shops: Last-minute options, more expensive.
Best Dessert Shops by Area
West Lake / Hubin
1. Zhiweiguan Pastry Counter (知味观点心)
The most famous pastry shop in Hangzhou. Try the osmanthus cake, lotus root starch, and crispy duck pastries.
Location: 77 Renhe Road | Price: ¥5–20 per item | Hours: 06:30–21:00
2. Nayuki (奈雪的茶) — In77 Branch
Modern tea and pastry shop. The cheese-topped tea and fresh-baked bread are excellent.
Location: In77 Mall | Price: ¥18–35 | Hours: 10:00–22:00
Hefang Street
3. Traditional Snack Stalls
Multiple stalls selling ding sheng gao, osmanthus cake, and sweet lotus root.
Price: ¥5–15 per item | Best: Osmanthus cake (桂花糕) and horse-hoof cake (马蹄糕)
Downtown / Wulin
4. Lady M (West Lake)
Japanese-inspired mille crepe cakes. A splurge but worth it for cake lovers.
Location: In77 Mall | Price: ¥68–98/slice | Hours: 10:00–22:00
5. Heilao Popo (黑老婆婆)
A Hangzhou institution for traditional sweets. The peanut candy and sesame brittle are made fresh daily.
Location: Multiple locations | Price: ¥5–20 | Hours: 08:00–20:00
Traditional Hangzhou Sweets
Must-Try Traditional Desserts
| Dessert | Chinese | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Osmanthus cake | 桂花糕 | ¥5–10 | Fragrant rice cake with osmanthus flowers |
| Ding sheng gao | 定胜糕 | ¥5–10 | Steamed rice cake with red bean, "victory cake" |
| Lotus root with sticky rice | 糯米藕 | ¥10–20 | Sweet lotus root stuffed with glutinous rice |
| Sweet lotus root starch | 藕粉 | ¥5–15 | Warm, comforting soup |
| Horse-hoof cake | 马蹄糕 | ¥5–10 | Translucent, chewy water chestnut cake |
| Walnut crisp | 核桃酥 | ¥5–15 | Crumbly, buttery walnut cookie |
| Peanut candy | 花生糖 | ¥5–15 | Crunchy peanut brittle |
| Red bean paste cake | 豆沙糕 | ¥5–10 | Soft cake with sweet red bean filling |
Seasonal Specialties
- Spring: Green tea cake (龙井糕) — available during tea harvest
- Summer: Mango sago (芒果西米露) at modern dessert shops, ice jelly (冰粉)
- Autumn: Osmanthus everything — cake, tea, wine, jam
- Winter: Sweet rice balls (汤圆), eight-treasure rice pudding (八宝饭)
Modern Dessert Trends
Hangzhou's dessert scene is evolving with Chinese-style dessert cafes:
- Chayan Yuese (茶颜悦色): Tea-based desserts and drinks (no Hangzhou branches yet, but similar shops exist)
- Bakeology: Artisanal baked goods with Chinese flavors
- Heytea (喜茶): Cheese-topped tea and soft-serve ice cream
FAQ
Are Hangzhou desserts very sweet?
Traditional desserts are mildly sweet compared to Western pastries. Modern shops vary.
Can I find vegan desserts?
Traditional rice cakes and osmanthus cake are often naturally vegan. Check for egg/dairy in modern shops.
Are Hangzhou desserts very sweet?
No, they tend to be lightly sweetened compared to Western desserts.
Can I find gluten-free desserts?
Some rice-based desserts are naturally gluten-free, but always ask about ingredients.
What is the best dessert to try?
Osmanthus cake in autumn and lotus root starch year-round.