外婆家 Grandma’s Home Hangzhou Review
Hi my lovely readers!
外婆家 (Wàipójiā / Grandma’s Home) is one of those restaurants that has a reputation across China before you even walk in the door. The In77 (银泰in77, Yíntài in77) branch in Hangzhou is so convenient, right inside the complex, steps from 西湖 (Xīhú / West Lake), that it is almost impossible not to end up here at some point during your Hangzhou trip. And honestly? It is good. But how much you enjoy it really depends on what you order, so let me save you some trial and error.
We went around 2:30pm on a Saturday and waited about 15 minutes to get in, so do factor in a short wait even during the afternoon lull.
What We Ordered and Ate
The two dishes you absolutely have to get are the 外婆茶香鸡 (Wàipó Chá Xiāng Jī / Grandma’s Tea Smoked Chicken, RMB 58 / SGD 11) and the 蒜蓉粉丝虾 (Suàn Róng Fěnsī Xiā / Garlic Vermicelli Prawns, RMB 48 / SGD 9). These two were the clear highlights of the meal and the ones I would go back for without hesitation.
The 外婆茶香鸡 (Wàipó Chá Xiāng Jī / Grandma’s Tea Smoked Chicken) has this really subtle tea fragrance that lingers, it is not overpowering at all, just enough to make it feel a little special and distinctly Hangzhou. The 蒜蓉粉丝虾 (Suàn Róng Fěnsī Xiā / Garlic Vermicelli Prawns) is the kind of dish that disappears from the table before anyone even talks about it. Garlicky, savoury, the vermicelli soaks up all the sauce and it is just really good.
The rest of what we ordered was fine but honestly unremarkable. The 干煸花菜 (Gān Biān Huācài / Dry Fried Cauliflower, RMB 26 / SGD 5) was competently done but nothing you could not find elsewhere. The 西湖牛肉羹 (Xīhú Niúròu Gēng / West Lake Beef Soup, RMB 28 / SGD 5) was a bit safe and did not stand out. And the 杭州小笼包 (Hángzhōu Xiǎolóngbāo / Hangzhou Steamed Dumplings, RMB 22 / SGD 4) did not hit the same heights as dedicated xiaolongbao spots. If you have already been to 莱莱小笼 (Lái Lái Xiǎolóng) in Shanghai, these will feel like a step down. [LINK: 莱莱小笼 Xiaolongbao Shanghai Review]
One thing I noticed, nearly every table around us ordered the 酸菜鱼片汤 (Suāncài Yúpiàn Tāng / Pickled Vegetable Fish Soup) and it looked incredible every single time it went past. We really wish we had had the stomach space for it. If you are going, add that to your list.
Three of us, RMB 172 total. About RMB 57 a head, which is around SGD 11 per person. Decent value for the location.
Tip: Do not try to over-order here. Pick two or three dishes you actually want and do them properly. The chicken and the prawns are non-negotiable, get those, add the 酸菜鱼片汤 (Suāncài Yúpiàn Tāng / Pickled Vegetable Fish Soup) if you have the room, and skip the xiaolongbao unless you have not had them anywhere else on the trip.
The Vibe
Comfortable, casual, and very popular, this is a well-known chain so it has that reliable, well-run energy. The In77 (银泰in77, Yíntài in77) location at 255 延安路 (Yán’ān Lù / Yan’an Road) is bright, easy to navigate, and the staff are used to tourists. [LINK: Hangzhou In77 Complete Guide]
If You Are Travelling Solo
I would order just the 外婆茶香鸡 (Wàipó Chá Xiāng Jī / Grandma’s Tea Smoked Chicken) and the 酸菜鱼片汤 (Suāncài Yúpiàn Tāng / Pickled Vegetable Fish Soup), that is a complete, satisfying solo meal for around RMB 80 to 90 (SGD 15 to 17) and you get the two best things the restaurant has to offer. Skip the 杭州小笼包 (Hángzhōu Xiǎolóngbāo / Hangzhou Steamed Dumplings) unless you have not had xiaolongbao anywhere else on the trip. And the 蒜蓉粉丝虾 (Suàn Róng Fěnsī Xiā / Garlic Vermicelli Prawns) is technically a sharing dish, but honestly, if you love prawns, nobody is stopping you.
Solo Female Tip: The In77 (银泰in77, Yíntài in77) mall setting makes this one of the easiest restaurants to walk into alone in Hangzhou. Bright, busy, English menus are available, and the staff are used to tourists. Perfect for a solo lunch stop between 西湖 (Xīhú / West Lake) and shopping.
Getting There
📍 255 延安路 (Yán’ān Lù / Yan’an Road), 1F, In77B District, 上城区 (Shàngchéng Qū / Shangcheng District), Hangzhou 🚇 龙翔桥站 (Lóngxiáng Qiáo Zhàn / Longxiangqiao Station), Metro Line 1, Exit D1 🕐 We waited about 15 minutes at 2:30pm on a Saturday, factor in a short wait whenever you go 💰 Around RMB 57 per head (SGD 11), solo meal around RMB 80 to 90 (SGD 15 to 17) 📱 Check Meituan (美团, Měituán) for deals before you arrive, purchase on the spot
Before You Go, Meituan and WeChat
Pull up Meituan (美团, Měituán) before you sit down and check for deals. You can purchase the deal on the spot here, no advance planning is needed. That said, if you would rather skip the Meituan deal altogether, that is completely fine too. We actually found that ordering à la carte gave us more flexibility to get exactly what we wanted without being tied to a set. So weigh up whether the savings are worth it for you or whether you would rather just order freely.
Every table has a WeChat (微信, Wēixìn) QR code to pull up the photo menu and WeChat Pay (微信支付, Wēixìn Zhīfù) works for payment. Full guide on setting up WeChat here [LINK: Essential Apps to Download for China] and everything on payments here [LINK: How to Pay for Things in China].
Handy Mandarin Phrases
服务员！(Fúwùyuán!): how you get a waiter’s attention.
招牌菜是什么？(Zhāopái cài shì shénme?): What is the must-order dish?
我要这个 (Wǒ yào zhège): I want this one.
一个／两个／三个 (Yī gè / Liǎng gè / Sān gè): one / two / three.
少放盐 (Shǎo fàng yán): less salt.
不要辣 (Bù yào là): no spice. Or if you want it:
要辣 (Yào là).
买单 (Mǎidān): the bill.
微信支付 (Wēixìn Zhīfù): WeChat Pay.
FAQ — 外婆家 (Wàipójiā / Grandma’s Home) Hangzhou In77
What is the must-order dish at 外婆家 Hangzhou? The 外婆茶香鸡 (Wàipó Chá Xiāng Jī / Grandma’s Tea Smoked Chicken) and the 蒜蓉粉丝虾 (Suàn Róng Fěnsī Xiā / Garlic Vermicelli Prawns) are the two non-negotiables. If you have room for a third dish, nearly every table around us had the 酸菜鱼片汤 (Suāncài Yúpiàn Tāng / Pickled Vegetable Fish Soup) and it looked incredible, we really wish we had ordered it.
How much does 外婆家 Hangzhou cost per person? We spent around RMB 57 per head (SGD 11) for three people. For a solo meal focusing on the tea-smoked chicken and the fish soup, expect to pay around RMB 80 to 90 (SGD 15 to 17). Good value for a restaurant this well-located in Hangzhou.
Is there a queue at 外婆家 In77 Hangzhou? Yes, expect a wait. We went at 2:30pm on a Saturday, which is off-peak and still waited about 15 minutes. At peak lunch and dinner hours, the queue will be longer. Arriving before noon or after 2pm on weekdays gives you the best chance of a shorter wait.
Where exactly is 外婆家 in In77 Hangzhou? 外婆家 (Wàipójiā / Grandma’s Home) is on 1F of the B District in 银泰in77 (Yíntài in77), at 255 延安路 (Yán’ān Lù / Yan’an Road). Take Metro Line 1 to 龙翔桥站 (Lóngxiáng Qiáo Zhàn / Longxiangqiao Station) and use Exit D1.
What does 外婆家 (Wàipójiā) mean? 外婆家 (Wàipójiā) translates literally as “Grandma’s Home” or “Grandma’s Kitchen.” It is a reference to the kind of homestyle Hangzhou cooking that feels nostalgic and comforting, the food you would expect at your grandmother’s table. The name is part of what makes this restaurant chain feel approachable and familiar rather than fancy.
Can I use Meituan at 外婆家 Hangzhou? Yes, and you can purchase the deal on the spot when you arrive, there’s no need to plan ahead. Check Meituan (美团, Měituán) before you sit down and compare the deal against ordering à la carte to see which works better for what you want to eat.
Is 外婆家 good for solo dining? Very. The In77 (银泰in77, Yíntài in77) mall setting is comfortable and easy to navigate alone, with English menus available and staff who are used to tourists. Order the tea smoked chicken and the fish soup for a satisfying solo meal around RMB 80 to 90 (SGD 15 to 17).
Is 外婆家 suitable for tourists who do not speak Mandarin? Yes. The restaurant has a photo menu accessible via WeChat (微信, Wēixìn) QR code at the table, so you can point at what you want. The Mandarin phrases in this guide will cover most situations and the staff are used to tourists at this branch.
Have you been to 外婆家 (Wàipójiā / Grandma’s Home) before or are you adding it to your Hangzhou list? Drop me a comment below, I love hearing where you all end up eating! And if you are still planning your Hangzhou trip, my full In77 guide has everything you need in one place. [LINK: Hangzhou In77 Complete Guide]
Links
[LINK: Hangzhou In77 Complete Guide]
[LINK: 绿茶餐厅 Hangzhou In77 Review]
[LINK: 莱莱小笼 Xiaolongbao Shanghai Review]
[LINK: Shanghai Food Guide & Hangzhou Food Guide]
[LINK: Essential Apps to Download for China]
[LINK: How to Pay for Things in China]
[LINK: The Ultimate Shanghai Guide & Hangzhou Travel Guide]
