Zheng

The story

Restaurant Zheng, The Hague – Imperial Fusion Dining with Tea Pairings

At Restaurant Zheng in The Hague, dinner is framed as a journey. The setting—blue tones, hand-carved wooden doors, Chinese art and literature—immerses you in an atmosphere that recalls the imperial courts. Here, top chef Han Ji leads a kitchen that draws on the centuries-old tradition of the Zheng banquet, a lavish feast once prepared for the emperor and his highest officials.

The Zheng Banquet

The menu is structured in "chapters," each built around a single main component accompanied by three or four delicacies. Guests can choose from five to eight chapters, with options like the Signature Iconic Crispy Duck—half a Barbarie duck carved tableside, served with Chinese pancakes and five-grain rice. Other chapters feature kombu-infused scallops, Iberico pork loin, or Black Angus beef, each presented with meticulous attention to detail and served on authentic porcelain.

A Fusion Vision

What makes Zheng distinctive is its fusion of Chinese culinary traditions with Western techniques and ingredients. The kitchen’s approach is rooted in the belief that every component should contribute to a balanced, healthy experience. This philosophy extends to the beverage pairings: Zheng is the first restaurant in the Netherlands to offer dedicated tea-and-food pairings, with teas selected by a trained team to complement each chapter. Alongside the tea program, there is also a wine pairing and homemade tea-infused cocktails.

Tea and Health

Health is central to the kitchen’s thinking. Chef Han Ji draws inspiration from Traditional Chinese Medicine, using specific herb and spice combinations that are said to benefit both body and mind. The restaurant’s focus on well-being, combined with its ceremonial presentation, sets it apart in The Hague’s dining scene. The Michelin Recommended distinction, awarded in 2026, recognizes the precision and ambition of this approach.

Restaurant Zheng is a place where the food is presented with ceremony, the tea is taken seriously, and the fusion cuisine tells a story that spans centuries.