Original Flavours 原製原味 @ Zhoushan

Putuoshan 普陀山 is a misnomer – it is not a mountain but an island. Its claim to fame is that it is the sacred “mountain” of Guanyin, the revered Bodhisattva of Compassion and Mercy.

As one of China’s four sacred Buddhist mountains, this “Buddhist Kingdom on the Sea” attracts thousands of pilgrims visiting major sites like Puji Temple, Fayu Temple, and the 33-meter tall Nanhai (South Sea) Guanyin statue. Darling and I went there for prayers and it took us 5 hours from Shanghai, starting with a bus from Shanghai People’s Square to the ferry terminal in Wusongzhi Wharf that took 4 hours, and then changing to a ferry to the island from the terminal.

There’s nothing else to do on the island except to visit temples dedicated to Guanyin, aka Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. Believers come for a pilgrimage during one of the three major festivals – Guanyin’s birthday, her attainment day and the day she joined the order which falls on the 19th day of Lunar months of February, June and September respectively. We purposely picked dates that avoided these important days, and yet the place was fall of devotees.

I was told that there are few good restaurants on the island, as everything has to be brought from the mainland, but since it’s next to Zhoushan (which is a major seafood fishery port in China), we managed to find this seafood restaurant called Origin Flavours that was highly acclaimed on Dianping (a food guide in China that I don’t particularly trust).

Steamed Razor Clams with Garlic 蒜蓉蒸长街蛏子

Darling picked this steamed razor clams with glass noodles and chopped garlic. Properly executed and quite delicious.

Steamed Eggs with Clams 长街蛤蜊炖蛋

And we picked our favourite dish, steamed eggs with Manila clams, which surprisingly was quite bland.

Raw Marinated Roe Crab cut in Eighteen Pieces 十八斩红膏蟹

I had to order this raw marinated crab and I was not disappointed. It was marinated in the Shanghainese style which is sweeter than the Teochew style. But the crab was really fresh, which is critical for these raw seafood.

It was quick and simple lunch, something we didn’t expect to be found on this island. However I would recommend that if you do plan to come to Putuoshan, don’t stay on the island, as the ferry across the straits is very convenient, and you get better lodging (and dining options) in Zhoushan City nearby).

Original Flavours Select 原製原味·臻选 (普陀山店)
普陀山梅岑路118号2幢一层

Visited Apr 2026