Jin Sha
Hangzhou, China Mainland
â1 Star
The Experience
From Michelin Guide
In a luxury lakeside hotel, stands this handsome restaurant furnished in classical Chinese style amid ponds and manicured gardens. The kitchen team uses seasonal ingredients sourced all over China to create Zhejiang neo-classics with modern twists. Try braised pork belly with abalone which tastes rich, but not greasy. CrÚme brûlée with Longjing tea ends a meal the perfect way. Besides the array of teas and wines, also check out the range of Huangjiu on offer.
Unique Things
From Visitor Experiences
- Innovative Use of Local Ingredients: Jin Sha incorporates fine seasonal ingredients sourced from across China, blending traditional Zhejiang flavors with modern twists.
- Unique Dessert Offerings: The restaurant features a distinctive dessert like the Longjing Tea-Flavoured Cream Bruleé, which combines the essence of longjing tea with a delicate sweetness.
- Elegant Setting with Nature: The dining experience is enhanced by its location within the Four Seasons Hotel at West Lake, offering scenic lakeside vistas and Bill Bensley-designed gardens.
Ingredient Stars
From Visitor Experiences
The most honored or signature ingredients at the Michelin-starred restaurant Jin Sha in Hangzhou are:
Longjing Tea: This famous local green tea is used not only as a beverage but also as a key flavoring ingredient, notably in dishes like the Longjing Tea-Flavoured Cream BruleĂ© and river shrimp sautĂ©ed with longjing tea, imparting a delicate, aromatic sweetness that reflects Hangzhouâs terroir.
Chinese Yellow Wine (Huangjiu): A traditional fermented rice wine from the region, yellow wine is essential in classic dishes such as Dongpo pork and the Steamed Pumpkin Blossom dish, where it enhances flavor complexity and tenderizes meat.
Fresh Local Seafood: Jin Sha emphasizes premium, fresh seafood from the nearby waters, including hairy crab meat, dried scallops, Bombay duck, and river shrimp. These ingredients are skillfully prepared to showcase Zhejiangâs coastal bounty, often combined with local herbs and sauces.
Free-range Chicken: Used in signature preparations like Jin Sha Crispy Chicken with spicy salt and soy sauce, this ingredient highlights the restaurantâs commitment to quality and local sourcing.
Seasonal Local Vegetables and Specialty Ingredients: Items such as watershield from West Lake, white radish from Xiaoshan, and pumpkin blossoms are utilized in innovative ways to celebrate the regionâs seasonal produce and culinary heritage.
These ingredients are central to Jin Shaâs culinary identity, blending traditional Hangzhou and Zhejiang flavors with refined techniques to create dishes that are both authentic and innovative.