Adrien Brill, also known as Zhuowen in Chinese, is an American chef fluent in Mandarin. [Photo/WeChat account: hzmrsb]

On the bustling Wulin Road, near the scenic West Lake in Hangzhou, an unusual culinary creation is drawing attention: "West Lake Vinegar Fish Pizza".

Behind this innovative dish is Adrien Brill, also known as Zhuowen in Chinese, an American chef fluent in Mandarin, who blends Chinese and Western cuisines at his restaurant, "Zhuowen's Little Bistro".

Brill's connection to China began in his childhood when he was cared for by a Chinese nanny. Later, he studied Chinese language at Sichuan University, where he met his wife, Xiaoqiu, from Anhui. Inspired by their love of food, the couple began experimenting with unique recipes at home, sharing them on social media.

Their big break came when Brill combined Huangshan's famous stinky mandarin fish with pizza for a local food competition, earning widespread praise. In 2022, he opened his first pizzeria in Huangshan, later expanding to Hangzhou's vibrant Wulin Pocket Park.

Brill's signature "West Lake Vinegar Fish Pizza" adapts the local classic dish using basa fish instead of bony grass carp. After marinating and battering the fish, it's paired with a sweet and tangy sauce atop a crisp pizza base. Priced at 99 yuan ($13.6), the pizza has become the restaurant's second most popular dish, especially among young couples.

For Brill, Hangzhou's inclusiveness and its blend of natural beauty and urban vibrancy were key to choosing the city for his latest venture. "This city welcomes innovation and celebrates diversity," he shared.

Looking ahead, Brill hopes to create more dishes that capture the essence of China's rich culinary culture while appealing to global tastes. "Like Hangzhou itself, I want my food to be a bridge between tradition and modernity," he said.

Brill's top two pizzas, with the left one featuring Huangshan's stinky mandarin fish and the right featuring West Lake vinegar fish. [Photo/WeChat account: hzmrsb]