Jin Sha

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Kitchen Rooted in Terroir and Tradition

At Jin Sha, the cooking begins with a clear sense of place. Situated within the Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake, the restaurant is dedicated to traditional Jiangsu-Zhejiang cuisine — a regional tradition that prizes seasonal ingredients, precise technique and a deep respect for local produce. Senior Executive Chinese Chef Wang Yong, who brings nearly three decades of professional experience to the kitchen, shapes every dish around what he calls a marriage of "craftsmanship with generosity, where every dish tells a story of terroir, memory and expertise." His curiosity drives the menu: "Every time I travel to a different place, I'm always excited to see and try local cuisine," he says. "Chatting with companions also gives me a lot of inspiration."

What Arrives at the Table

The kitchen works strictly with local and seasonal ingredients, which means the menu shifts with the calendar. Autumn is a particularly rewarding time to visit, when hairy crab takes centre stage — served boiled, tucked into steamed dumplings, and braised with bean curd. Among the signature dishes, Braised Pork Belly and Abalone with dried bamboo and sweet soy sauce speaks to the richness of the Zhejiang pantry, while Sanmen Crab steamed with wine rice or soy sauce keeps things clean and direct. Crispy Half Chicken with spicy salt rounds out a menu that also elevates street-level classics — scallion pancakes and pork and vegetable wontons — to fine-dining precision. Desserts are treated with equal seriousness: housemade ice cream in ginger, honey and walnut flavours, a longjing pudding, and red bean cheesecake reflect both local ingredients and genuine pastry ambition.

The Setting

The restaurant is built in a traditional architectural style that sits in harmony with its surroundings. On fine days, the 34 outdoor seats shaded by oaks and willows, overlooking a manicured classical Chinese garden, are the most sought-after in the house. For private gatherings, eleven stand-alone dining pavilions — each with walls of windows, a terrace and garden views — offer a more secluded experience. The combination of lively ambience and considered landscape makes the space feel grounded rather than formal.

Recognition Worth Noting

Jin Sha's consistency has drawn sustained attention from the world's most rigorous dining guides. The restaurant holds a Michelin star (2023–2026), three diamonds in the Black Pearl Restaurant Guide (2018–2026), a place on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list, recognition from Tatler's Best Asia-Pacific Restaurants 2025, and a Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star rating — a body of recognition that reflects not a single strong season but years of disciplined, ingredient-led Jiangsu-Zhejiang cooking at the highest level.