My trip to Hangzhou would have never been complete if I hadn’t discovered the mosques and halal food, honestly speaking. Having access to these necessities as a Muslim traveler has made my travel experience in China a whole lot more worthwhile. I may not be blessed with a plethora of options at times, although knowing there is at least something for me gives me greater comfort when traveling.
To my Muslim travelers, have no fear you’ll definitely have options in Hangzhou and good ones.
With that being said, I’ve learned to strategically and mindfully plan my trips with regard to my proximity to what I will need.
Here’s a travel guide to all things mosques and halal food in Hangzhou. Enjoy!
Mosques in Hangzhou
There were two particular mosques I visited during my time in Hangzhou. The Hangzhou Mosque and the Pheonix Mosque, both of which were located in the city. During my visits to the mosques, I luckily became acquainted with a few individuals who assisted me in either finding halal food or exchanging valuable information about the Muslim community in the city.
Hangzhou Mosque (Xinyang Mosque)
Hangzhou Mosque was the first mosque I visited and since I arrived on a Friday, I was able to make it for Jummah prayer.
The mosque is located in the Gongshu District and was built in the 1980s. The structure of the mosque has a beautiful and modern design, and it can’t be missed from afar. I took my time after prayer to explore the area and the facility, and I was very impressed by how well-equipped the space was for the local Muslim community. You’ll even find a restaurant and store connected to the mosque.
The architecture of the Hangzhou Mosque was definitely one I appreciated dearly for how spacious and detailed the interior and exterior are.
Phoenix Mosque (Fenghuang Mosque)
The Pheonix Mosque is the largest mosque in Hangzhou and is located in the Shangcheng District. It was originally built in 1221 during the Southern Song Dynasty and has been renovated several times over the centuries.
Unfortunately, the mosque was closed due to Covid restrictions, so I was unable to enter the mosque. If you plan to visit Southern Song Imperial Street you’ll easily spot the mosque gate if you enter the street by the pedestrian overpass bridge.
How to find halal food
For starters, typing “halal restaurants” into Google Maps when traveling in China may not always give you many options. You’ll typically have better luck if you type “qīngzhēn” or “清真” (copy and paste into your search engine) which is the Chinese character for “halal” when looking for food.
Halal food at Southern Song Imperial Street
If you’re on Southern Song Imperial Street, you’ll find the Pheonix Mosque, halal restaurants in the area, and the Muslim street on Zhongshan Road. You’ll find various options of food stalls and restaurants that serve things like kebabs, dumplings, noodles, hotpot, and more. You will also come across local Muslims who can appoint you to where you can get the best local cuisine.
What to eat
Here are some of the delicious delicacies I indulged in during my visit to Hangzhou.
Halal pastries
The first shop I entered once I found the Muslim Street was a cute halal bakery. One thing I’ve had to learn about bakeries in China is, they frequently use lard in their products or there’s a high chance there is cross-contamination. It is what it is, and to avoid these issues I always buy a little extra from halal bakeries I come across.
Since it was China’s National Holiday, I decided to try a traditional mooncake filled with black bean paste. Mooncakes are usually a hit or miss for me because of the filling, and I surprisingly really enjoyed the black bean paste.
Beef buns & savory pastries
The beef buns I had in Hangzhou were on a different level! I tried a couple of different halal vendors that sold beef buns, and the one on the Muslim Street was by far the best and juiciest. From the restaurant window, you can watch the variety of savory snacks being made, and if you’re lucky enough to get one fresh and hot, you are truly a winner!
Beef buns are also an all-time favorite snack in China, and personally one of my favorites. You’ll find different variations of bread, meat, vegetables, and seasonings, and they all come with a unique and appetizing taste.
Please do not sleep on beef buns!
Malatang
Malatang, also known as “spicy hot soup”. It’s a version of hotpot, but the ingredients are chosen by the customer, then they’re cooked and served. This is one of my favorite Chinese dishes and is usually my go-to when I need something to warm my soul and body.
It’s definitely an excellent comfort food.
Tofu
If you love street food, I recommend strolling the Muslim street during the evening to look for street food vendors and shops. Tofu is an excellent street food option because there are so many variations in how they look, taste, and most importantly how they’re made.
Beef noodles
Another very classic dish. In every city in China, it’s likely you’ll find a Muslim-owned Lanzhou noodle shop, also known as “Lanzhou lamian”. You can never go wrong with this dish, it’s simple, cheap, delicious, and very filling.
There will always be options for noodle soups and added ingredients, like tomatoes, eggs, cubed meat or sliced meat, and more. My favorite has always been the noodle soup with tomato and eggs. It’s *chef’s kiss*.
Hangzhou must-try food
Beggar’s Chicken: a popular Hangzhou dish that is made by wrapping a whole chicken in lotus leaves and baking it in a clay pot.
West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy: a classic Hangzhou dish that is made with freshwater fish that is cooked in a sweet and sour sauce.
Lamb Skewers: a popular street food in Hangzhou.
Sesame Seed Cake: a sweet snack that is made with glutinous rice flour, sesame seeds, and sugar.
For specific locations where to find halal restaurants in Hangzhou, check the list here.
Hangzhou is a city of wonderful history, people, and cuisine, and one you cannot miss when visiting China. As I mentioned earlier, my time wouldn’t have been nearly the same had I not found halal food and mosques to accommodate my needs. For this reason, this city must be on your list of places to visit, especially when deciding on cities to visit in China. Soak up this city guide catered to your Muslim needs and enjoy all the wholesome food and mosques. If you need more reasons to visit Hangzhou, here’s a 5-day city guide to complete your trip.
As always, happy travels!
