Bold and Innovative: Longjing Shrimp

The first time I saw it was in a restaurant decorated in a very unique, almost shabby style, with the words ‘Zhejiang Cuisine: 100-Year-Old Restaurant’ written on the door.

My first encounter with this dish was a journey in itself.

When I walked inside, a particularly distinctive dish caught my eye. I pointed at the picture on the menu and told the owner I wanted to order it. Since there was only a picture (and no description), even as a Shanghainese, I couldn’t name it. So I politely asked the owner what it was called, and he replied in heavily accented Mandarin, ‘Longjing Shrimp’ (Dragon Well Shrimp)

The owner of the restaurant shouted, “Table 3, Longjing shrimp is ready!” I froze for a moment, looked at this “mysterious” dish, and said to my companion, “Is…is this gonna be good?”

The owner took the initiative to ask, “Is this your first time trying this dish?” I nodded, and he smiled as he explained, “We freshly stir-fry these shrimp with Longjing tea leaves,” then called over a waiter to tell us about its origins.

The Story Behind Longjing Shrimp

Longjing Shrimp is a famous traditional Hangzhou dish, beloved for its excellent color, aroma and flavor. There is also a legendary story behind this dish.

According to legend, during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, a Hangzhou official named Chen Hongshou was very fond of shrimp but found the shrimp available in the market neither fresh nor tasty enough. Thus, he devised a method of cooking shrimp with Longjing tea leaves.

Chen Hongshou steeped Longjing tea leaves and cooked them with the shrimp. He discovered that shrimp prepared this way were not only tender and delicious but also carried a delightful tea fragrance that left a lasting impression. Hence, the dish came to be known as “Longjing Shrimp.”

Later, this dish spread among the common people and became one of Hangzhou’s signature specialties. Today, Longjing Shrimp remains a popular dish in both time-honored restaurants and family dinners in Hangzhou. It’s a must-try when you visit Hangzhou.

It is one of the famous dishes of Zhejiang

Hangzhou cuisine embodies the soul of Jiangnan flavors, and Longjing shrimp undoubtedly reigns supreme on every “must-order” list! These crystal-jade-like shrimp, wrapped in tea fragrance, offer such tender meat with the first bite that you’ll instantly crave more. The intoxicating aroma of Longjing tea elevates this dish to what we might call a “tea-flavored masterpiece” – truly an unforgettable culinary experience!

Longjing Shrimp Recipe