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West Lake vinegar fishPopular

West Lake vinegar fish

Live grass carp cooked in sweet-sour vinegar sauce. A Hangzhou classic with 800-year history.

FoodFood & Night Markets
★★★★★4.5(18 reviews)

$9–$18

1–2 hrs

Hangzhou city guide →

Overview

Key takeaway

Live grass carp cooked in sweet-sour vinegar sauce. A Hangzhou classic with 800-year history.

Time & cost

Plan 1–2 hrs. Budget: $9–$18.

Best for

Best if you want a local plate without explaining yourself at the counter — show the Chinese name on this page.

Practical

Price$9–$18
Duration1–2 hrs
WhereLou Wai Lou (Gushan Rd), Mama Wang

Tips

Pay

Nearby stalls usually take Alipay or WeChat. Foreign-card terminals are rare — set up Alipay before you go.

Show this

Show the Chinese name “西湖醋鱼” to drivers and staff. It beats a long English explanation.

Show to staff

你好，我想点不那么辣的。可以少放辣椒吗？谢谢。

Nǐ hǎo, wǒ xiǎng diǎn bù nàme là de. Kěyǐ shǎo fàng làjiāo ma? Xièxie.

Hi — I'd like something milder. Can you use less chili? Thank you.

Location & how to go

Lou Wai Lou (Gushan Rd), Mama Wang

MetroLou Wai Lou (Gushan Rd), Mama Wang
BusCity buses serve the area, but routes change. Use Amap/Baidu for the live stop and last bus near West Lake vinegar fish.
Taxi / DidiDidi or a licensed taxi is the simplest door-to-door. Set destination to “西湖醋鱼” and pay in-app with Alipay/WeChat.

Reviews

★★★★★4.5· 18 verified reviews

Editor verification notes

Operational notes from the ChinaPie editorial team — not traveler ratings, and not counted toward stars.

  • ChinaPie Editors
    Editor verification note

    We verified a partner table-booking style flow end-to-end where linked — request, confirm, deposit; Mandarin is helpful but not always required.

  • ChinaPie Editors
    Editor verification note

    Peak-hour wait was about 20 minutes on a weekday verification. The skip-the-queue tip in this guide is worth using.

Guide Q&A

Where should I try West Lake vinegar fish in Hangzhou?

Lou Wai Lou (Gushan Rd), Mama Wang

How much does West Lake vinegar fish cost?

$9–$18

How long does a West Lake vinegar fish stop take?

1–2 hrs

Any ordering tips for West Lake vinegar fish?

Show the Chinese name on this page, confirm the price before sitting, and pay by Alipay or WeChat QR when possible.

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