Chinese STREET FOOD Breakfast Near West Lake - Pancake, Xiaolongbao, Tofu | Hangzhou, China

On the morning of my second day in Hangzhou, I headed out to get some Chinese street food for breakfast. My friend Charlie and I started along an 800-year-old street that is being renovated into a tourist attraction. Hangzhou is known as the Geneva of the East, which didn’t surprise me at all because it had reminded me of Switzerland ever since I’d arrived.
We continued along a road named for a famous Chinese revolutionary. There, we saw depictions of what houses looked like in Hangzhou a thousand years ago and the original city gate. The restaurant is right inside the gate!
We ordered a popular dish with dough, spring onions, tofu skin, and sauces. It dates back over 800 years and had a nice, crunchy layer on top. The tofu inside was really juicy and the spring onion added a refreshing element. There was a nice, sweet sauce in it that also had a slight, spicy kick to it!
Then I went with the xiaolongbao, which only cost 1 Yuan/$0.15 USD each. Xiaolongbao are soup dumplings, and the soup inside is usually boiling hot. So you don’t burn your tongue, you’re supposed to nibble a corner of it, suck the soup out, and then pop the whole bao into your mouth.
This one had a soft top and a crunchy bottom because it was baked. There was also a ball of tasty pork inside!
Next, I tried some tofu soup with spring onions. It was night and light and contained a lot of buttery tofu that slipped right down my throat! I added some chili flakes for some spice, which also added a kick of flavor.
After breakfast, Charlie and I headed off to West Lake, which I had been hearing about for days. I had seen it the previous night, but I couldn’t wait to check it out in the daytime.
On the way, we saw a 1,000-year-old well that was an original water source in Hangzhou!
West Lake is every bit as beautiful as I’d heard it would be! It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011. It reminded me of Lake Bled in Slovenia because of the island in the middle. We arrived at the only natural island on the lake. It served as a forbidden city for the emperor, so only he and his staff could go there.
We headed over to the ferry, in front of which is the old royal palace. A ride only cost 35 Yuan/roughly $5 USD for a round trip. We’d be heading to Fairy Islet.
The boat was a beautiful, spacious, wooden lake boat. It was like a living room inside the boat, and then there was an open-air balcony-like area at the end. It was a replica of the emperor’s cruise boat!
There’s an island that’s not open for tourists, as it’s for nesting birds. There’s another island where the emperor used to go, where there is a tea house. The largest island is Fairy Islet, which has another lake inside it. It got its name because it’s said fairies and immortals live there!
The island has a long path that goes around the inner lakes. There are also spots where you can buy food and areas where you can sit by the water. We reached a viewpoint where we could see across the water, pagodas, mountains, and more. It’s the most iconic view in Hangzhou!
There’s a spot on a bridge where you can turn around and see a structure with three windows. Through each window, you can see a pagoda. It’s been there for 500 years!
There are also beautiful gardens and bridges that connect the little islands. There’s a huge rock near the bridges. The rock has a hole in it. If you can throw a coin inside, it’s good luck! This area is so beautiful. You can switch from city life to relaxing, peaceful environments with lots of nature. It’s so beautiful!
I hope you enjoyed coming with me on my Hangzhou breakfast and West Lake adventure! If you did, please give it a thumbs up and leave me a comment. Also, please subscribe to my channel so you don’t miss any of my upcoming travel/food adventures!
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About Me:
My name is David Hoffmann. For the last decade I have been traveling around the world in search of unique culture, food, and history! Since starting David’s Been Here in 2008, I have traveled to over 1,000 destinations in 73 countries, which I welcome you to check out on my KZbin Channel, travel blog, and social media sites.
I focus a great deal on food and historical sites, as you probably have seen! I love to experience the different flavors that each destination has to offer, from casual street food to gourmet restaurant dining. I’m also passionate about learning about the local history and culture.
P.S. Thank you for watching my videos and subscribing!

[@Davidsbeenhere]

Thank you for watching my Chinese Street Food in Hangzhou video! If you're new to my channel please SUBSCRIBE bit.ly/DBH-SUB for new travel content every week! Also follow me on Instagram to get live updates: instagram.com/davidsbeenhere

[@eChineseLearning-school]

Nice breakfast tour! Don't forget to learn how to order breakfast in Chinese everyone! “我要 (wǒ yào) Want it” + the name of the dish you want. Check us out for more Chinese tips. We have a free trial lesson online as well if you are interested, sign up!

[@EbefrenRevo]

This place is so beautyful.

[@gondvilli]

Awesome series of china...loving it

[@jazzzzyst]

Gorgeous place! Definitely on my bucket list! Great episode David xox

[@93atri]

Wow so scenic and quaint, I love both Suzhou and Hangzhou.

[@行动的巨人]

Atri Chakraborty india is more clean and powerful than China！india is no.1

[@星人喵-u2r]

I love Suzhou! Too shame that none of these vlogs ever showed the real tasty Suzhou food, all they filmed are terribly boring commercial choices. Just sooooooo sad...

[@tinachen9742]

i love hangzhou, it's one of the most romantic city in China, so beautiful and has rich poetic flavour

[@protocolofficer2629]

Hi David: I want you to know that I enjoy your videos a lot especially since you go off the beaten track to show us areas that the normal tourist does not see. Today, for instance, showed me a more traditional China giving me a sense of China before the revolution. And the food??? Sensational with me wanting to try it all. Thanks for sharing all this wealth. Cheers, Colin.

[@junezomoe]

Beautiful lake i will definitely visit one day 👍🏽

[@sambasiva3308]

Where are you from?

[@nobody-mf8lw]

My favorite city in China, combination of natural beauty, Chinese history and culture, great food and modern sense.

[@MrPeterzhu]

NO.1 in China

[@dewi9235]

A lot of history and delicious food!

[@CMUHW]

I lived in Hangzhou for 7 years. Love it!

[@reneeziayadonovan1282]

Beautiful!! Would love to see it one day!

[@ricardotongol567]

Bam chilies to spice up the food...love your blog. Thank...hmmm nice scenic views.

[@kenyup5424]

The views were really beautiful

[@maryreynolds5310]

I love the sound of the birds in China!

[@ricardotongol567]

Hmm so good. Now more good hot food. Charlie good guide. Thank you for the blog.

[@可惜不是你-b7q]

I also went shopping in Hefang street during the day today 🤣

[@dahunzkharsyntiew1612]

Beautiful place n amazing food😋

[@Fuchs7456]

Amazing video! As an "Old Fart" (!) I remember the Cultural Revolution and Mao's Little Red Book being waved in the air, Nixon's visit to China to try and effectively normalise relations and so on and so forth. Then I see this video - great to see that history and traditions are being respected - and yes, the area looks absolutely beautiful. Food looks great, too! Dave - keep up the good work. The more international respect and understanding we have in this day and age, the better! Cheers, Keith (Brit in Berlin, Germany)

[@perfectseconds3384]

It's a great place, I like it so much.

[@khaiuzzamanprince4039]

Love the video David keep it up !!

[@Shaaylene_]

Loving your China series!!

[@David-dz2wo]

Greet video. You said we're not supposed to touch any Chinese food by hands，then you never try Peking duck yet. That's not hot but you are not able to enjoy it without hand touching :) That is one of few dishes to be touched in China though.

[@govindkrishan192]

Superb food

[@hong3170]

This is not called xiaolongbao. It is shenjianbao. Dry fry bao. Xiaolongbao are steamed.

[@svlog3947]

I love China. Im from Northeast state. In india.

[@rtgtx]

His guide may not know either. He doesn't look like a local.

[@xiaozhang5433]

And he kept saying Yen instead of Yuan for some reason.

[@hong3170]

@@xiaozhang5433 he has problem to pronunce some Chinese words.

[@Cindrbell]

Beautiful.

[@vishumagar4636]

Amazing

[@jacobberg5584]

Don't forget to visit the Great Canal from Hangzhou to Beijing.

[@ArifGilgitiVlogs]

Love from Pakistan

[@Myth520]

Enjoy your trip in China

[@peterArtStudio582]

i want to eat，enjoy

[@tuitam5474]

Hmmm... I’m hungry now...great video mate 👍 PS. Please could you reply for my request? 🙏 It will be ok 👌? If I’ll use 20 sec. of your Bangkok drone footage for my video from Bangkok? I’ll be really appreciate 🙏 many thanks in advance 👍🤩🎞

[@NangongReng1973]

You can use your finger in Chinese meal , unless it is necessary like eating a chicken drumstick or a big meat bun. Also, Chinese has intolerant to milk mainly because of the diet which consists of hot soup. Soup + Milk results in stomach ache.

[@gyin9098]

West lake is not the most beautiful lake in China but the most historical lake in China

[@zhangbohaoovid]

u meant historic?

[@babypandajixiao9935]

yes you are right,more beautiful rivers are in Westchina

[@aibajin5891]

豆花要喝甜的 大兄弟

[@Rahulkumar-ol8rg]

Can I ask you one thing. How much money u earn in a single video from you tube🤔 .pls don't get offended BTW love ur videos

[@jayavardhanguntupalli8912]

😍😍

[@指鹿为马-s1h]

😍

[@shiwangibaraily9026]

Nice one David love from India 💜

[@debangasaikia4999]

Hei milf

[@shiwangibaraily9026]

Boka ko hosh tho mo jaysukai comment garum Sala tero thopra dekcha as if ur from slum

[@TheHokkaidogaijin]

There goes the Indian hate, you guys really hate each other Huh?

[@行动的巨人]

Shiwangi Baraily India a shit country！

[@venkadanathan1855]

@@shiwangibaraily9026 I 💜 you from india.

[@peckcecilia4373]

Go back to China with Food Ranger. That will definitely increase your subscribers. So far good job but can much better👍

[@hayman122]

why are chop sticks in china longer then ones in america. whys it not the same. also holy hell, thats amazing the islands and the views of everything is amazing china is beautiful but i wouldent want to go alone

[@cstephen4695]

usually, chopstick for fast food is shorter than the one that can use for a long time. you can come and never be alone, there are too many people. you can make friends online first and then come.

[@wiliy3042]

It is better post your videos into the Bilibili or weibo.

[@afunguynamedkawhi7959]

I gonna repeat it again: you eat a lot but you don't gain weight. Gene detection LOL.

[@Putin-presidantRussia]

竟然碰到一个福建莆田人哈哈哈哈

[@venkadanathan1855]

David try home foods in china. 🇨🇳

[@jetxu1150]

That’s not “XiaoLongBao”, We called it “Sheng JianBao”.😂😂😂

[@kamalkrishnaboruah8089]

#Love #Davidsbeenhere #Assam

[@zdl-gg4491]

看得我都馋了😄

[@maryreynolds5310]

Now David, you often tell us that nowhere in China are you saposto touch your food and eat. Yet you yourself often do it. I don’t think you realize it though. It’s ok David, I’m sure people there understand, you weren’t raised believing in that. We here often eat with our hands.

[@digitalbondhubitupan8231]

Jorhat miss you

[@爸爸-e7q]

呱呱呱

[@jojo-xb4ff]

爸爸 小井蛙😏

[@NangongReng1973]

You Zha Gui = Oil Fried Ghost

[@mikeo728]

You keep saying not to use your hands then get peak handsieness with whatever thing. The "panini" thing in this video 🤣 you have to be trolling at this point

[@riyadey7734]

U know the begoli and southindia nuclear bombm #RD

[@jacobberg5584]

The most famous dish of Hangzhou is West Lake Vinegar Fish. It's a specialty of Lou Wai Lou.

[@riyadey7734]

Crush 😍 u R not isssssssss

[@NYCrandomstuff]

Dear David, please have mercy on us lol. It's been 25 videos of China non stop everyday 😭 People want to see *India* and other places. ✌️

[@tuitam5474]

Hmmm... I’m hungry now...great video mate 👍 PS. Please could you reply for my request? 🙏 It will be ok 👌? If I’ll use 20 sec. of your Bangkok drone footage for my video from Bangkok? I’ll be really appreciate 🙏 many thanks in advance 👍🤩🎞