Grand China Travel

Home Shanghai Travel Guide Dining in Shanghai

Dining In Shanghai

As the locals in Shanghai put it, 'Blessed are those born in Shanghai as they have the most chances to taste delicious food'. Shanghai Cuisine is not one of the Eight Major Cuisines of China but is a choice blend of the most appealing aspects of these other national styles of food. Also, local chefs are always ready to adopt the best aspects of foreign cuisines and make them their own. Therefore, it may be safely said that you can enjoy all the best food from home and abroad for all budgets when in Shanghai.
 
Local Specialties:
 
Nanxiang Steamed Stuffed Bun (Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao)Steamed Stuffed Buns
It is a famous and popular one originating from Nanxiang Town in the northern Jiading District of the city. Dating back over 100 years, Nanxiang Steamed Stuffed Bun features the typical Shanghai flavor. It is famous for its thin wrap, big stuffing, strong flavor and tender meat.
 
Besides the use of refined flour and pork, Nanxiang Steamed Stuffed Bun has many special ingredients. Water, salt, sugar, soy, sesame and ginger are added to make the stuffing. Even without MSG, shallot or garlic, the buns stay fresh with a delicious flavor. The main pork stuffing is mixed with various seasonal ingredients: bamboo shoot for spring, shrimp for summer and crab for autumn. It's hard to believe that the stuffing is two times larger than the wrap. Miraculous, isn't it?
 
The prepared buns with translucent thin wraps are as small as water chestnuts. The appealing appearance of the buns may make you feel hungry. However, if you are hasty you will probably be hurt by the hot buns. Here are tips for tasting it: bite carefully, sip the soup and dip into special Zhenjiang vinegar. "Wow, yummy!" is then an understandable reaction.
 
The Hong Kong film Leaving Me Loving You, featuring Hong Kong pop stars Leon Lai and Faye Wong, made this snack known to a wider audience.
 
Recommended places to try  Nanxiang Steamed Stuffed Bun:
Guyiyuan: No.238, Guyiyuan Road, Nanxiang Town, Jiading District
Nanxiang Mantou Restaurant: No. 85, Yuyuan Road, Huangpu District
 
Crab-Yellow Pastry (Xie Ke Huang)
This round yellow pastry looks like the shell of a cooked crab, therefore it is named Crab-Yellow Pastry. The main raw material is oil-mixed dough. The dough is split into small pieces, stuffed and squashed to form a flat round cake. It is then wrapped with a layer of sesame and finally baked in an oven.
 
The Crab-Yellow Pastry usually has a salty or sweet flavor. The salty pastries are stuffed with shallot oil, pork, crab or shrimp; the sweet ones with sugar, roses, sweetened bean paste or Chinese date paste.
 
The prepared pastries are crisp and tasty. As early as the beginning of 20th century, this snack prevailed in local teahouses. Today the Crab-Yellow Pastry becomes increasingly popular with the locals.
 
You can try it at Wuyuan Bakery:
No. 255, Yanping Road, Jing'an District
No.1530, West Beijing Road, Jing'an District
 
Fried Stuffed Bun (Sheng Jian Man Tou)
Fried Stuffed BunFried Stuffed Bun with nearly 100 years' history is a typical indigenous snack of Shanghai. The wraps of the buns are made of semi-fermented paste, and the stuffing is made of pork, shallot, ginger, soy, pepper, and sesame oil. The stuffed buns are put in rows in a big pan and fried, being sprayed with water several times during cooking. Finally, sesame and shallot are sprinkled on the buns, and then the wonderful Fried Stuffed Buns are prepared!
With a thin and soft wrap, a golden-colored and crispy bottom, and delicious meat, it tastes best when served hot.
 
Fried Stuffed Buns were first served in many teahouses. Special fried stuffed bun restaurants began to appear in 1930s. At present, there are hundreds of such restaurants. The stuffing is varied to include chicken, crab and shrimp.
 
Recommended places to try Fried Stuffed Bun:
 
Xiaoyang Shengjian (Yang's Fry Dumpling): No. 54 and No. 60, Wujiang Road, Jing'an District
Fengyu Shengjian Eatery: No. 48, Guangling 2nd Road, Hongkou District
Youlian Shengjian: No. 45, Xinzha Road, Putuo District
Feilong Shengjian: 1F, Dongtai Plaza, No. 2002, North Sichuan Road, Hongkou District
Dahuchun Eatery: No. 4-6, Lane136, Pudong Avenue, Pudong New Area
 
Chop Rice Cake (Pai Gu Nian Gao)
Chop Rice Cake is an economic and distinctive snack in Shanghai. It is a fried dish mainly made of a big pork chop and rice cakes. There are two restaurants that are famous for Chop Rice Cake - Shuguang (formerly known as Xiao Chang Zhou) and Xian De Lai. They have been famous since the 1930s. Chop Rice Cakes offered by them are prepared in completely different ways therefore each has its own unique taste. It is hard to tell which is better. So better to taste both!
 
Locations of the two restaurants:
Shuguang: at the intersection of Middle Sichuan Road and Fuzhou Road, Huangpu District
Xian De Lai: No. 69, South Yunnan Road, Huangpu District
 
Vegetable Stuffed Bun (Su Bao Zi)
As the name suggests, this is without meat but the flavor is not reduced at all. For veggies, these buns, stuffed with greengrocery, mushroom, bamboo shoots and dried bean curd, are a good choice.
 
Where to taste:
Chunfeng Songyue Vegetarian Restaurant: No.99, Jiu Jiaochang Road, Huangpu District (near Bailing Road)
 
Leisha Dumpling (Lei Sha Yuan)
This is a kind of glutinous rice dumpling stuffed with meat, sweetened bean paste, or sesame. Covering with a layer of adzuki bean powder, it is tastier and keeps longer.
 
Where to taste:
Qiaojiashan Snack Store: No. 313, South Xiangyang Road, Xuhui District
 
Won Ton (Hun Dun)
Shanghai people, in particular, have a very clear opinion dividing won tons into big ones and small ones. The big ones are stuffed with shepherd's purse and pork while the small ones are stuffed with meat alone. A half kilo of wrapping is sufficient for 50 big won tons or 70 small ones. So you can imagine how thin the wrap is! The soup is also a key element. Generally, broth is for the big won tons and chicken soup for the small ones.
 
Recommended Restaurant:
 
Jin Shifu Won Ton: No. 78, Sinan Road, Huangpu District
 
In addition to the above, there are many other snacks worth trying, including Date Paste Pastry, Gaoqiao Muffin, Yangchun Noodles, Sauced Cold Noodles, Glutinous Rice Dumpling, Fruit Sponge Cake, Cream Spiced Beans, and Mint Cake. In some ancient towns of the region such as Qibao in Minhang District, Zhujiajiao in Qingpu District, and Fengjing in Jinshan District, you can also try many snacks of a distinctive flavor.
 
Best Dining Areas:
 
Shanghai is thronged with delicious food and snacks from all over China. Various kinds of local snacks have distinctive flavor. Food and dishes from other regions of the country are also authentic and popular. Do you have a good appetite? We will lead you to a number of snack streets clustered with restaurants and eateries. They will be sure to satisfy your one-stop tasting.
 
Wujiang Road 吴江路 (wú jiāng lù)
Wujiang Road is the most popular snack street in the city. Located in the southeast of Jing'an District and near the People's Square, it is a good dining place for you to rest and relax after your tired shopping in Nanjing Road. A lot of Chinese and foreign restaurants are clustered here, providing you with various choices.
 
Many old restaurants along this road are famous for authentic and delicious Shanghai snacks. They are usually inexpensive so as to gain popularity among the locals and the visitors. During recent years, many western-style restaurants and cafes opened here. You can try various kinds of western food in Wujiang Road and feel home in the city.
 
Old City God Temple Snack Street 老城隍庙小吃街 (lǎo chéng huáng miào xiǎo chī jiē)
Shanghai snack streetLocated in Huangpu District, it is about ten minutes' walk away from the South Bund Area. It is an ideal dining place during your compact sightseeing schedule.
 
The area around the Old City God Temple deserves the name of 'Shanghai Snack Kingdom'. It is a time-honored and the largest snack street featuring the most famous restaurants and eateries in Shanghai. In accordance with the architectural style of the nearby ancient Yuyuan Garden, restaurants here are all constructed following a style of Ming and Qing Dynasties.
 
In addition, a snack plaza of thousands of square meters is included. You can almost find all the local snacks here, including Nanxiang Steamed Stuffed Buns, Crab-Yellow Pastries, Fried Stuffed Buns, Chop Rice Cakes, Vegetable Stuffed Buns, and Cream Spiced Beans. Various snacks of other areas in China are also available.
 
South Yunnan Road 云南南路 (yún nán nán lù)
South Yunnan Road is an old food street located at the intersection of Yan'an Road and Xizang Road in Huangpu District. It is about ten minutes' walk from the People's Square and adjacent to Dashijie Amusement Park, so it is also called Dashijie Food Street.
 
Restaurants here are mainly Chinese ones, focusing on Shanghai cuisines and Sichuan cuisines. Some have Shandong or Jiangsu cuisines. Western restaurants and food can hardly be seen here, so South Yunnan Road is a good place for Chinese food lovers.
 
Xianxia Road 仙霞路 (xiān xiá lù)
Xianxia Road food street is in Changning District, the west periphery area of the city zone. It extends to Zunyi Road to the east and boasts plenty of restaurants of different styles from hot pot restaurants to western cafes. You can easily find dishes of Shanghai, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia in this road.
 
Delicately furnished teahouses, cafes, and bars are another feature of Xianxia Road. The pleasant environment of these dining places attracts many youths and the prices are acceptable.
 
Huanghe Road 黄河路 (huáng hé lù)
Huanghe Road Food Street is located near the People's Square in Huangpu District. It is packed with a large number of restaurants with distinctive dishes and reasonable prices. Local dishes and seafood are leading delicacies here.
 
In addition, Huqingping Road in Minhang District is a good place to have seafood. Xin Tian Di in Huangpu District, Heshan Road and Grand Gateway in Xuhui District are also popular among gourmands.
 
Best Recommendation:
 
No. 01: Shanghai Classical House  上海老饭店
Cuisine Features: Shanghai cuisines, Eight-Treasure Duck, Sea cucumber in shrimp sauce, Pork with preserved beancurd
Opening Hours: 10:00-14:00 &17:00-21:30
Average Cost Per person: RMB 150
Private rooms: 36
Way of payment: Cash, Credit Card
Chain Restaurants: Yes
 
Restaurant Tags:
There are parking spaces, Xintiandi, the Bund, Yuyuan Garden, People’s Square, Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, business dinner, Shanghai food.
 
Brief Introduction:
Shanghai Classical House opened in 1875. Main dishes are “Eight chili sauce”,”bad bowl”, “salt and pepper ribs”,”Big Bird shrimp reference” and so on. Many famous people from countries have been eaten there. There are more than 30 private rooms which can hold 800 dining together.
Address: No.242, Fuyou Road, Shanghai, China
Phone: (021)63111777
 
No. 02: Tang Gong Yi Hao Restaurant  上海唐宫一号
Cuisine Features: Cantonese cuisines, Hong Kong Snacks, roast pigeon, durian puffs, white sesame pudding.
Opening Hours: 11:00-21:30
Average Cost Per person: RMB 120
Private rooms: 17
Way of payment: Cash, Credit Card
Chain Restaurants: Yes
Restaurant Tags: Luwan District, Hu-Qian Special Line, Times Square, Hong Kong New World Square, Jinjiang Restaurant, business dinner, friends meeting, lovers dating, family getting together.
 
Brief Introduction:
Tang Gong Yi Hao is a Cantonese chain restaurant which offers authentic Cantonese cuisine and Hong Kong snacks. It is good for dim sum and popular for their roast pigeon, durian puffs, shrimp dumplings, and white sesame pudding. There are only about ten table in the hall, others are private rooms.
Address: 3rd Floor, Jinjiang Dickson Center, 400 Changle Road, Shanghai
Phone: (8621) 5757-5777
 
No. 03: Ye Shanghai Restaurant 夜上海
Cuisine Features: Shanghainese, fried rice, steamed dumplings, shrimp balls.Opening Hours: 11:00-14:30 & 17:30-22:30
Average Cost Per person: RMB 240
Private rooms: No
Way of payment: Cash, Credit Card
Chain Restaurants: YesRestaurant Tags:
Metro Line 1, Xintiandi Square, Lujiazui, business dining, lovers dating
 
Brief Introduction:
Ye Shanghai is housed in one of the Shikumen houses, made of grey bricks with stripes of red. We recommend that you sit upstairs as the ceilings are high and the atmosphere is better there. The food at Ye Shanghai is delicious. Ye Shanghai also has some nice touches.
Address: House 6, North Block, 338 South Huangpi Road, by Taicang Road, Xintiandi
Phone: 86 (21) 6311 2323
 
No. 04: Weng Jia Shark’s Fin
Cuisine Features: Cantonese cuisines, Sichuan cuisine, seafood, Shark’s Fin, abalone, cubiloseOpening Hours: 11:30-14:00, 17:30-21:30
Average Cost Per person: RMB 300
Private rooms: 13
Way of payment: Cash, Credit Card
Chain Restaurants: NoRestaurant Tags:
There are parking spaces, Xinchuan Special Line, Yu Garden, People’s Square, the Bund, business dining, banquet, Cantonese cuisine.
 
Brief Introduction:
Weng Jia Shark’s Fin, which is opened in 1994, is a restaurant which offers authentic Cantonese cuisine in Shanghai. The shark’s fins in this restaurant are strictly chosen, and without any chemicals. They are good-tasting and praised by gourmets.
Address: 700 Gangtai Square, Yan’an East Road, Huangpu, Shanghai
Phone: 86 21 53850755
 
No. 05: Yongfoo Elite  雍福会
Cuisine Features: Shanghainese, Imported Japanese Pumpkin braised with Thai Fish Sauce, Korean Style stirfry with Apple and Chicken, Bacon and Cheese baked with Imported Japanese ScallopOpening Hours: 11:00-22:00
Average Cost Per person: RMB 550
Private rooms: 5
Way of payment: Cash, Credit Card
Chain Restaurants: NoRestaurant Tags:
Parking places, Metro Line 1, the former British Consulate, Hengshan Road, Shanghai cuisines, wedding reception, business dining, friends meeting.
 
Brief Introduction:
Yongfoo Elite was originally opened as a member’s only, private club. This Shanghainese restaurant is housed in a wonderful old 1930’s villa, on a lovely phoenix-tree lined street – Yongfu Road. The garden, on your way in to the restaurant, is lovely. The Chinese food at Yongfoo Elite is less than spectacular.
Address: 200 Yongfu Road, near Hunan Road, Shanghai
Phone: 86 (21) 54662727
 
No. 06: Lost Heaven Restaurant  马天堂云南餐厅
Cuisine Features: Yunnan cuisine, Thai cuisine, wild vegetable cakes, Dali style chicken with chili and green onions, Thai Style spring rollsOpening Hours: 11:30-14:00 & 17:30-22:30
Average Cost Per person: RMB 150
Private rooms: No
Way of payment: Cash, Credit Card
Chain Restaurants: YesRestaurant Tags:
Huangpu District, French Concession, exoticism, company gatherings, parking places, Yunnan cuisine, lovers dating, business dining, Yan’an Road, the bund.
 
Brief Introduction:
On a small street in the Former French Concession district of Shanghai, Lost Heaven is housed in a lovely Shanghai-1920’s-style villa. The restaurant upstairs features a very high ceiling and a big buddha statue right in the middle of it all. The cuisine features dishes from the areas of Dali, Lijiang, and Burma which include the foods of the Dai, Bai, and Miao ethnic minority groups.
Address: 38 Gao You Rd, by Fuxing Xi Rd, Shanghai
Phone: 86 (21) 64335126
 
No. 07: A  Shan  Restaurant  阿山饭店
Cuisine Features: Jiangsu and Zhejiang cuisines, Shanghainese, Meizi paste, oil fried shrimp, pork braised in brown sauce.
Opening Hours: 11:00-14:00, 17:00-21:00
Average Cost Per person: RMB 68
Private rooms: No
Way of payment: Cash
Chain Restaurants: YesRestaurant Tags: traditional style, Shanghai zoo, Metro Line 10, Hongqiao Road, friends meeting, family gatherings.
 
Brief Introduction:
“A Shan” is a name of cooker. A Shan Restaurant is an old restaurant in Shanghai. This restaurant specializes in Shanghai cuisine. Simple dining environment fit for friends and families to gather. The price is a little expensive compared with the surroundings.
Address: No. 2378, Hongqiao Road (Near Hongjing Road), Shanghai
Phone: 86 21 62686583
 
No. 08: Di Shui Dong Restaurant 滴水洞湘菜馆
Cuisine Features: Hunanese (spicy), Steamed Fish Head with Diced Hot Red Peppers, spare-ribs with cumin, sour beans with minced meat.Opening Hours: 10:00-22:00
Average Cost Per person: RMB 80
Private rooms: 3
Way of payment: Cash, Credit Card
Chain Restaurants: YesRestaurant Tags:
Parking places, Luwan District, Metro Line 1, Hunan chain restaurant, unpretentious, bustling, chili, spicy, seafood, friends gatherings.
 
Brief Introduction:
Dishuidong is eye-opening, both for its tastiness as well as its very different style to the more popular branches of Chinese cuisine. It’s the red peppers hanging, proudly on display, which give an indication of what this place is about – it’s one of the hottest in Shanghai. If you like spicy food, with food drenched in red peppers, then this is the restaurant in Shanghai for you!
Address: 2nd Floor, 56 Mao Ming South Road, by Change Le Road
Phone: 86 (21) 6253 2689
 
No. 09: M on the Bund  米氏西餐厅
Cuisine Features: western food, Modern European cuisine, China’s flavorful local bounty.Opening Hours: 18:15-22:30
Average Cost Per person: RMB 30
Private rooms: No
Way of payment: Cash, Credit Card
Chain Restaurants: No
Restaurant Tags:
The bund, Credit Card available, “Best Global Cuisine”, roof terrace and stylish Crystal Room, favored by white collars, business dining, lovers dating.
 
Brief Introduction:
Located at the pinnacle of the historic Nissin Shipping Building, built in 1921, M overlooks Shanghai’s most famous sight: the Bund. Here, diners sample a creative menu in a warm, sophisticated space, where references to Shanghai’s glamorous past are updated and given a contemporary spin.
 
Address: 5 the Bund, Zhongshan Yi Road, Huangpu, Shanghai
Phone: (86 21) 6350 9988
 
No. 10: T 8 上海 T 8
Cuisine Features: Fusion, Caramelized Salted Salmon.Opening Hours: 11:00-14:30 & 18:30-23:30
Average Cost Per person: RMB 528
Private rooms: No
Way of payment: Cash, Credit Card
Chain Restaurants: NoRestaurant Tags:
Creative, palatable, parking places, Luwan District, Xintiandi, Taipingqiao Garden, business dining.
 
Brief Introduction:
T8 was named by Conde Naste as one of the top 50 restaurants in the world. T8 is housed in a "Shikumen" house (1920’s Shanghai style) in the Xintiandi touristy area of Shanghai. The decor is rustic, yet comfortable. Open kitchen. Grey brick floors. And the cuisine is designed with food connoiseurs in mind.
Address: House 8, North Block Xintiandi, Lane 181 Taicang Lu, Shanghai
Phone: 86 (21) 6355-8999
Login to post comments