If tea terminology is unfamiliar, pay for a cup before buying a large packet. Longjing, West Lake Longjing and tea from a named hillside are not interchangeable labels. Hangzhou's origin-label rules define the West Lake production area.
A small, practical first order
Menu name: 龙井茶 / What it means: Longjing green tea / Check first: Per cup, person or pot; refills
Menu name: 龙井虾仁 / What it means: Shrimp with Longjing tea / Check first: Shrimp, marinade, egg, thickener and cooking wine
Menu name: 西湖醋鱼 / What it means: Fish with sweet-and-sour sauce / Check first: Whole fish or smaller portion; per fish or by weight
Menu name: 东坡肉 / What it means: Dongpo-style braised pork / Check first: Number of pieces, fatty texture and wine
For two people, start with one main dish, vegetables and rice. If ordering a whole fish, postpone another large meat dish. Solo diners can ask for a smaller shrimp portion or an individual meal. Tea works well after a lake walk, when you are not rushing to a timed ticket.
Show this sentence: “我们两个人，先点小份。请说明每道菜的份量和全部费用。我们今天只喝茶，不买茶。” It asks for small portions, full prices and a tea service without a purchase.
When buying tea, check the sealed label, producer, origin, net weight and traceability markings, and keep the receipt. Aroma alone cannot establish authenticity.
Longjing contains caffeine. Dish names cannot establish whether egg, wheat, shellfish or alcohol is absent. Ask the kitchen to check the full recipe; if it cannot, choose something it can explain or another restaurant. For a caffeine-free option, choose water or a drink explicitly containing neither tea nor coffee.
Checked 2026-10-22. Hangzhou tourism's tea-house article supplies cultural context, not current venue endorsements or prices. The table is an ordering aid; actual recipes vary.
Editorial archive date: 2026-02-02. This guide was compiled later; use the source-check dates stated in the text.
