West Lake water-shield soup 西湖莼菜汤
West Lake water-shield soup is featured among the local specialties of Hangzhou.
Tender water-shield leaves give this mild soup a slippery texture. Ask whether ham or chicken is included in the broth before ordering.
How it is made
Water-shield leaves are added to a lightly seasoned soup, sometimes with chicken, ham or other fine ingredients. Gentle cooking preserves the leaves' delicate form.
Flavour & texture
The plant's natural coating gives a slippery, silky mouthfeel, while the broth remains mild and savory.
Local roots & traditions
Water shield is associated with West Lake's traditional food imagery and Hangzhou cuisine.
How to order West Lake water-shield soup
Ask about the stock and added meat before ordering, and try a small bowl if the unusually slippery texture is unfamiliar to you.
More dishes to compare
Explore related local specialties and compare their names, preparation notes and ordering guidance.
West Lake fish in vinegar sauce 西湖醋鱼 →
Freshwater fish is gently poached and covered with a thickened vinegar-and-sugar sauce. Kitchens differ in the fish used and in how sharply they balance the sweet and sour elements. The fish should remain tender beneath a glossy, assertive sauce. It has no fried crust, so the flesh and sauce provide the main contrast.
Qiantang bamboo shoots with fermented greens 倒笃春笋 →
Spring bamboo shoots are cooked with daoducai, a preserved mustard green made through drying, salting and fermentation. The greens supply much of the dish's seasoning. The shoots offer a fresh, tender-crisp bite against the greens' concentrated savory aroma. It is a small-ingredient pairing with a pronounced flavor contrast.
Questions before you order
What name should I show when ordering?
Show 西湖莼菜汤 for West Lake water-shield soup.
Sources & reading
Recipes and servings vary between kitchens.