Why Is It Called West Lake Soup?
West Lake Soup is named after a scenic freshwater lake in Hangzhou, China called West Lake. Legends say that the soup was first created during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) by a chef who worked at a restaurant near the lake. The soup’s beauty and deliciousness were said to be inspired by the stunning scenery of West Lake, and thus it was named after the lake. Today, West Lake Soup is a popular dish in Hangzhou and is considered a culinary treasure of the region.