Longjing Stir-Fried Shrimp is a famous Chinese dish from the city of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. It combines the fragrance of Longjing tea leaves (one of China’s famous teas) with fresh shrimp from the West Lake into a delightful blend of aroma and taste. The name of the dish also has an esteemed origin. It was given by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1711 – 1799 AD) while he toured the Jiangnan region.
 
Emperor Qianlong once went on a tour of the Jiangnan region (southeast China) around the Qingming Festival (early April). The spring rains were in full force as he passed by Hangzhou. Seeking shelter at a farmhouse, the emperor was treated to cups of freshly picked Longjing tea from the farm owner. Pleased with the quality of the tea, Qianlong thought that it would be wonderful if they could bring the tea back to the palace. However, it was inappropriate to reveal his position since he was on an undercover inspection. He was also reluctant to implore the owner. When the owner was attending other matters, the emperor grabbed a handful of tea leaves from the container and stuffed them in his emperor’s robes underneath the common clothing.
 
When the rain subsided, Emperor Qianlong thanked the farm owner for his hospitality and continued on his inspection. When he arrived at the West Lake, Qianlong and his entourage entered a small hotel to dine. They ordered a few local delicacies, including a plate of stir-fried West Lake shrimp.
 
While he waited for the food to be prepared, Qianlong suddenly remembered the Longjing tea leaves so he summoned a waiter to steep the tea. As he reached into his pocket for the leaves, the waiter noticed the emperor’s robes. Startled, the waiter frantically ran into the kitchen to tell the owner who was stir-frying the shrimp. Hearing that the emperor had arrived, the owner fell into a panic and finished the dish in a hurry. As the owner brought out the stir-fried shrimp, he noticed that he mistakenly used the waiter’s Longjing tea leaves instead of scallion in the dish.
 
Once the Longjing stir-fried shrimp was placed on the table, it gave off a distinct aroma. Emperor Qianlong quickly took a bite and immediately tasted the tender sweetness. When he looked at the dish, he was ecstatic to find the combination of shiny, translucent shrimp and emerald green Longjing tea leaves. With great joy, Qianlong proclaimed repeatedly, “Magnificent dish! What an amazing Longjing stir-fried shrimp!” Thereafter, this dish became one of the most famous dishes in Hangzhou.
 
龙井虾仁
 
龙井虾仁，是经典杭州名菜之一，结合龙井嫩芽的清香与西湖水产的鲜活，滋味鲜甜，茶香盎然。据传这道菜名来历也不简单，是乾隆皇帝南巡江南时所赐。
 
相传乾隆皇帝下江南时，正值清明时节雨纷纷，路经杭州，在一个农家避雨，接受农家主人款待龙井新茶，感觉甚好。九五至尊的乾隆，心想若能将这好茶带点回宫品尝，那该是何等的雅兴啊！但微服巡访民情不便暴露身份，也拉不下脸来央求，便趁主人分心之际，从茶罐内抓了一把茶叶，塞进了便服内的龙袍里。
 
雨歇放晴，谢别了农家主人盛情的款待，乾隆启程继续探访民情。当来到了西湖畔，与随扈一行人进入一家小酒店用餐，点了几道当地风味料理，包括西湖盛产河虾料理──鲜炒虾仁。
 
等待出菜之际，乾隆忽然想起了身上的龙井茶叶，于是一边召唤店小二前来取茶叶沏泡，一边撩起衣服从口袋中掏出茶叶。店小二在接茶叶时，无意中看见了乾隆的龙袍，心中一惊，赶紧跑进厨房告诉正在炒虾仁的店主。店主一听皇上驾到，惶恐万分，急急忙忙炒完虾仁。送菜时才发现忙中出错，竟将店小二拿进来的龙井茶叶误当成葱段，跟虾仁炒在一起上菜了。
 
龙井茶叶炒虾仁一上桌，清香扑鼻，乾隆很快尝了一口，顿觉鲜美滑嫩；再欣赏盘中的菜色，白嫩晶莹的虾仁上点缀著翠绿的龙井茶叶，煞是好看。于是龙颜大悦，连声称赞：“好菜！好菜！好一道龙井炒虾仁！”此后，这道菜肴便成了杭州名菜而流传至令。