Hangzhou: Beggars Chicken

This tender treat is a specialty of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. Beggars Chicken is rinsed in Shaoxing rice wine, flavoured and wrapped in palm leaves, before being slow-baked in mud. The result is chicken so succulent that it falls off the bone and a rich meaty gravy laced with the sticky sweetness of the rice wine.

As a visitor to China, you may be considered special enough to be treated to a dish of Beggars Chicken by a kindly host, and perhaps even have the honour of cracking open the hardened mud encasement.

As guest of honour at this imaginary banquet, you will also have the chance to regale your friends with the story of how this dish came to be. Chinese people love a good yarn, and the tale of Beggar’s Chicken is a juicy titbit for sure.

Apparently, Beggar’s Chicken was the creation of a roaming hobo in Changsu, Jiangsu province. In order to survive, this young chap would steal chickens from the gardens of local farmers. To avoid suspicion, he would wrap them in lotus leaves and bury them beneath his campfire – where they would slowly cook, out of sight of any curious passers-by. Soon this bum became popular amongst his fellow transients, who would crowd around his fire, and beg to share his dinner.

Oh, how delicious the irony.

Back to future times, Beggar’s Chicken can be enjoyed in restaurants throughout China, but visitors seeking an authentic experience should seek out Lou Wai Lou Restaurant on Solitary Hill.

Founded in 1848, this gem was a favourite of Zhou Enlai, who dined here ten times during his lifetime. A meal here remains one of China’s finest restaurant experiences.

Address: 30 Gushan Road, Hangzhou,

地址：中国杭州孤山路30号