Shanghai Food Guide
As an international metropolis, its culinary scene is highly significant
Shanghai cuisine is known for its delicacy, refinement and diversity. It includes not only a variety of famous traditional dishes, but also a rich variety of snacks and dim sum. Shanghai cuisine is characterized by thick oil and red sauce, moderate saltiness and lightness, keeping the original flavor, mellow and fresh. Commonly used cooking methods are mainly braised, simmered and sweetened.
Table of Contents
Shanghai Specialties
Fried buns(Shengjianbao) (Chinese name: 生煎包)
Shengjianbao is a local traditional snack popular in Shanghai. It originated in Shanghai in the 1920s and has a history of hundreds of years.
The bottom part of the skin of Shanghai Pan Fried Bao is fried in golden brown color, and the top part is sprinkled with some sesame seeds and scallions. Its uniqueness lies in its flavorful soup, which will flow out of your mouth when you take a bite. The aroma of meat, oil, scallions and sesame seeds mix together for a rich flavor.
The preparation of shengjianbao includes steps such as making the skin, wrapping the filling and frying. Usually semi-fermented flour is used to wrap the fresh meat and meat jelly. Cool water is drizzled several times during the frying process and finally sprinkled with chopped green onion and sesame seeds.
Plain Noodles (Yangchun noodles) (阳春面)
Yangchun noodles are a type of noodles that are made without any dish toppings but only soup. By carefully simmering the soup with the right amount of lard and garnishing it with green onions, Shanghai Yangchun Noodles have a unique texture and flavor.
Lard is the finishing touch to Shanghai Yangchun noodles. It is different from sesame oil or scallion oil and brings a smooth texture and aroma to the noodles. The choice of green onions is also a delicate one, and you must use Shanghai’s small aromatic green onions. The scallions are chopped into two or three millimeter long pieces and sprinkled on the noodles to add aroma and color.
Shanghai Soup Dumplings(Shanghai Xiaolongbao) (小笼包)
The history of Shanghai Xiaolongbao dates back to the late 19th century. It was first created by a dim sum store called “Nanxiang Xiaolongbao”. These steamed dumplings are loved by many diners for their delicious aroma, thin skin, tender filling and rich soup.
Xiaolongbao’s meat filling is made from the finest pork, with an appropriate amount of fresh shrimp, meat jelly and other ingredients. The outer skin is made of high-quality flour, which is made into a paper-thin skin and becomes translucent after steaming. When you take a bite, the soup overflows and your mouth is filled with the rich flavor of meat.
Xiaolongbao can be found everywhere in Shanghai. Whether you want to savor the food or experience the culture, Shanghai xiaolongbao is not to be missed.
Braised pork in brown sauce (红烧肉)
Braised pork in brown sauce is popular for its fat but not greasy, sweet and fluffy characteristics. The dish can be traced back to the Qing Dynasty. After centuries of development, braised pork has become a household favorite in Shanghai.
The main ingredient of braised pork is pork belly. After blanching, frying and stewing, the meat becomes tender and absorbs the rich broth. In Shanghai, braised pork is often served with rice, so that the rice also absorbs the broth of the braised pork.
Roast duck with “eight-treasures” (八宝鸭)
Eight Treasures Duck is a Shanghai specialty that is quite popular among the old Shanghainese. Its history can be traced back to the late Qing Dynasty and was created by a Shanghai chef named Zhang Tianfu. Its main ingredients include duck and glutinous rice, and the supplementary ingredients include peas, ham, shrimp, asparagus, chestnuts, dried scallops, chicken gizzard, shiitake mushrooms and chicken.
The duck filled with eight precious ingredients will be roasted in the oven. After roasting, the skin of Eight Treasures Duck takes on a golden color, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a rich and juicy taste. The precious ingredients inside the Eight Treasures Duck blend perfectly with the duck meat, making every bite enjoy the collision of flavors and richness of texture.
Shanghai chopped cold chicken (白斩鸡)
Chopped cold chicken is a traditional Shanghainese dish, famous for its smooth skin and tender flavor. The raw material of this dish is three-yellow chicken, which is made without any seasoning. It maintains the freshness and original flavor of the chicken. It is served with ginger paste, garlic paste and soy sauce to add flavor to the dish.
Pork Ribs with Rice Cake (排骨年糕)
Pork Ribs Rice Cake has a history of more than 50 years. Known for its affordability and unique flavor, this snack is one of Shanghai’s unique street foods. The ingredients for the rice cake with pork ribs are fresh pork ribs and small, thin rice cakes. After deep-frying and boiling, the ribs are golden in color and crispy on the surface. The rice cakes have the rich flavor of pork chops and the softness and crispness of rice cakes. This snack is not only a favorite among Shanghai residents, but also one of the must-try dishes for many tourists in Shanghai.
Sea Cucumber with Shrimp Roe (虾子大乌参)
Sea Cucumber with Shrimp Roe is a famous dish in traditional Shanghai cuisine. The dish is made from larger sea cucumber, which is bloated, blanched, deep-fried, and then broiled with stock and shrimp. It is usually cut into slices and served with a tasty shrimp sauce for a rich flavor. This dish has a rich broth, soft and flavorful sea cucumber, and tasty shrimp, making it an appetizing dish.
Chinese steamed crab buns (蟹黄汤包)
Shanghai Crab Roe Soup Buns are a fusion of pure crab paste, pure crab roe and pure crabmeat, each bite is filled with crab flavor. Shanghai Crab Roe Soup Buns are made with a unique process that requires the crust to be thin enough but not easily broken, and the filling to be juicy enough but not lose its flavor. Every detail is carefully sculpted so that the tasters can feel the high-quality food culture in every bite of enjoyment.
Shanghai crab soup is also extremely rich in nutritional value. Crab meat is rich in protein and trace elements, which are beneficial to the human body. Crab meat is rich in protein and trace elements, which are beneficial to the human body. Crab roe is known as the “gold” of seafood, which is rich in fat and protein, and has the effect of nourishing and nourishing the skin. Diners not only enjoy the delicious taste, but also good for health in the process of tasting.
Sautéed Shelled Shrimps (水晶虾仁)
The history of Sautéed Shelled Shrimps dates back to more than sixty years ago, when the restaurant’s chef created Sautéed Shelled Shrimps by reforming the stir-fried shrimp. It is known for its crystal clear and springy texture. Its main ingredients include shrimp and egg. By stir-frying the shrimp without adding any ingredients, it makes the shrimp distinct and translucent, soft and crispy.
Noodles Mixed with Scallion, Oil and Soy Sauce (葱油拌面)
Noodles Mixed with Scallion, Oil and Soy Sauce is a traditional Shanghai snack that is full of color and flavor. The specialty of Noodles with Scallion Oil is the unique seasoning of scallion oil. The carefully boiled scallion oil makes the noodles not only strong and smooth, but also has a strong scallion flavor.
Pancake with Scallion Oil (葱油饼)
Scallion pancake is one of the special snacks in Shanghai, which is loved by every Shanghainese. The snack is bright yellow in color, fragrant and oily with scallion, crispy on the outside and crunchy on the inside, and is ready to eat.
Shanghai Food Destinations
People's Square (Chinese name: 人民广场)
Shanghai People’s Square is a comprehensive square integrating culture, tourism and commerce. It covers a total area of 140,000 square meters. The square is surrounded by famous buildings such as the Shanghai Municipal Government Building, the Shanghai Museum, and the Shanghai Grand Theater, each of which has its own distinctive features, making it a great place to take photos. For visitors who enjoy good food, the People’s Square neighborhood offers a wide variety of food choices. Everything from traditional Shanghai snacks to international flavor restaurants are available.
Yuyuan Road (愚园路)
This road gathers many excellent historical buildings and old houses, including garden houses and new-style lilong houses, showing the unique sea style of Shanghai. This road has very many interesting small stores and creative food.
Dingxi Road (定西路)
Located in Changning District of Shanghai, Dingxi Road Food Street is a food street that gathers many old Shanghai specialties. If you were to ask which road in Shanghai has the most food, then Dingxi Road would be in the top three. The food on Dingxi Road can satisfy all kinds of taste buds, and you can eat your way through the street for as little as 100 RMB (equivalent to $14).
1192 Lane Old Shanghai Style Street (上海1192风情街)
1192 Lane Old Shanghai Style Street is themed on the flavor of old Shanghai. It restores the historical appearance of old Shanghai in the 1930s through architecture, decoration and food. It gathers all kinds of characteristic elements of old Shanghai, such as the 16th store pier, streetcars, neon streets, vintage light signs, old Shikumen doors, theaters big theaters, folk teahouses and so on, which makes you feel like you have traveled back to the prosperous era of old Shanghai. Here, you can taste the traditional snacks of old Shanghai, such as raw pan-fried buns, Xiaolongbao, fried pork chops, etc., as well as a variety of creative cuisines for you to explore.
Lujiazui (陆家嘴)
Lujiazui, as the financial center of Shanghai, has many high-end restaurants and gourmet stores. Here, you can not only taste the top cuisines from all over the world, but also enjoy the magnificent view of both sides of the Pu River. Whether it’s a French feast, Italian pizza, Chinese dim sum or Japanese sushi, Lujiazui can satisfy your taste buds.
Shippo Old Street (七宝老街)
Shippo Old Street is located in Shanghai’s Minhang District and is an old street full of quaint colors and flavors. The food here is mainly traditional Jiangnan snacks, such as Qibao Soup Dumplings, White Cut Mutton, Bad Marinated Trotters and so on. Strolling along the old street and tasting the authentic Jiangnan snacks, it is as if you have traveled to the ancient Jiangnan water town.
Shanghai Time-Honored Restaurants
Enjoying authentic Shanghai cuisine during your travel in Shanghai.
De Xing Restaurant (Guangdong Road Branch) 德兴馆(广东路总店)
- Established in 1878, Dexing Restaurant is a long-established restaurant with a long history and is one of the birthplaces of Shanghai cuisine.
De Xing Stir-Fried Shrimp德兴爆虾
With a crispy shell and tender, juicy shrimp, these are sweet and fresh—so addictive you can’t stop at just one!
Stir-Fried Eel in Soy Sauce响油鳝糊
This dish showcases the typical flavors of Shanghai cuisine, with a harmonious blend of sweet, salty, fresh, and aromatic notes. It’s rich in flavor and very appetizing.
Spicy Meat Cold Noodles辣肉烤麸冷面
The fragrance of peanut sauce, the heat from chili oil, the bean aroma of the baked gluten, and the wheat flavor of the noodles all complement each other, creating a rich and refreshing dish—perfect for summer!
Address:
471 Guangdong Road, Nanjing East Road, near Fujian Road
南京东路街道广东路471号(近福建路)
Hours:
Monday to Sunday, 6:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Average Spend:
61 CNY (about 8.50 USD) per person
Renhe Restaurant (Zhaojia Bang Road Branch) 人和馆(肇嘉浜路店)
- Renhe Restaurant was founded in the Qing Dynasty (1800) and has a history of over 200 years. The restaurant’s ambience is full of old Shanghai charm, with vintage wooden furniture, old photos on the walls and familiar old Shanghai music.
Crab Roe Mixed Rice蟹粉拌饭
The crab roe, meat, and paste are meticulously prepared, with a glossy golden color that’s incredibly tempting. Drizzled over fluffy rice and topped with crab vinegar, the aroma is intoxicating. Each grain of rice is enveloped in the rich crab flavor—enjoy it hot for an explosion of freshness!
Stir-Fried Eel with Water Bamboo茭白炒鳝丝
With a sweet and savory flavor, the fresh eel pairs perfectly with the crunchy sweetness of water bamboo. Served with white rice, it’s a dish you’ll finish in no time!
Sauce-Braised Pig Liver酱爆猪肝
Tender and smooth, cooked to perfection, each piece is coated in a rich sauce that’s bursting with flavor.
Address:
407 Zhaojia Bang Road
肇嘉浜路407号
Hours:
Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 4:30 PM – 9:30 PM;
Monday to Friday, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Average Spend:
203 CNY (about 28.50 USD) per person
Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant (Yuyuan Branch) 南翔馒头店(豫园店)
- It’s a century-old time-honored restaurant in Shanghai, founded in 1900. Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant not only has numerous branches in China but has also opened locations overseas in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Malaysia.
Signature Crab Roe and Pork Soup Dumplings招牌蟹黄鲜肉小笼包
These dumplings are made fresh to order, so there may be a wait. With thin skin and fresh meat, they have no fishy taste, and you can see the crab roe and broth. Delicious!
Crab Roe Soup Dumplings蟹黄灌汤包
Packed with an abundance of crab roe broth, you can sip it through a straw for a flavorful experience. They’re very delicious, but the skin is a bit thick. Highly recommended!
Spicy Crab Meat Soup Dumplings香辣蟹肉小笼包
The crab meat is fragrant and tender with a hint of spice. Each bite is filled with fresh crab meat, making you feel incredibly happy.
Address:
87 Yuyuan Road
豫园路87号
Hours:
Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM;
Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Average Spend:
105 CNY (about 15 USD) per person
Wang Bao He Restaurant (Huangpu Branch) 王宝和酒家(黄浦店)
- Shanghai Wangbaohe Restaurant is a century-old restaurant known as “King of Crab and Grandfather of Wine”. Founded in 1744, it is one of the earliest restaurants in Shanghai. Wang Bao He Restaurant is famous for its fresh water river crabs.
Steamed Hairy Crab清蒸大闸蟹
Hairy crab is the signature ingredient at Wang Bao He, known for its abundant crab roe. Each bite is filled with a fresh, rich flavor.
Baohua White Cut Chicken宝和白斩鸡
This chicken features a savory flavor profile, infused with a complex aroma of various spices. It seems the spices are ground into a powder and rubbed into the chicken’s cavity for marination.
Address:
603 Fuzhou Road
福州路603号
Hours:
Monday to Sunday, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Average Spend:
271 CNY (about 38 USD) per person
Shanghai Old Restaurant (Yuyuan Branch) 上海老饭店(豫园店)
- Shanghai Old Restaurant was established in 1875 and is recognized as one of the birthplaces of Shanghai cuisine. It is run by a national-level master chef, known for its meticulous ingredient selection and authentic flavors.
Signature Eight-Treasure Duck金牌八宝鸭
The glutinous rice inside is lightly flavored and soft, packed with a variety of diced meats, squid, and mushrooms for rich texture. The duck meat is extremely tender, and the sauce is made from the juices of the duck itself. Enjoying the rice with the duck skin and meat together is incredibly satisfying.
Braised Fresh Bamboo Shoot and Pork腌笃鲜
As a traditional Shanghai dish, it’s becoming rare in many restaurants, but it’s still preserved here. The bamboo shoots are crispy and tender, while the meat is rich and flavorful, creating a thick broth.
Three Shredded Delicacies扣三丝
This dish features shredded Jinhua ham, bamboo shoots, and cooked chicken breast, all served in a clear chicken broth. The fine shreds showcase the chef’s knife skills, and the flavor is relatively light.
Address:
242 Fuyou Road
福佑路242号
Hours:
Monday to Sunday, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Average Spend:
220 CNY (about 31 USD) per person
Lao Zhengxing Restaurant (Fuzhou Road Branch) 老正兴菜馆(福州路店)
- Lao Zhengxing Restaurant originated in 1862 and specializes in using fresh river seafood from the Taihu region. It employs various cooking techniques to create delicious Shanghai local dishes. Not only is it popular domestically, but it has also been awarded a Michelin one-star rating for five consecutive years.
Stir-Fried Eel in Soy Sauce响油鳝糊
The eel is tender and springy, cooked in a rich, dark sauce that meets Michelin one-star flavor standards.
Crispy River Shrimp油爆河虾
Made with river shrimp sized 90-105, cooked for just 18 seconds. They are crispy on the outside, tender inside, and bursting with flavor, complemented by a sweet sauce.
Drunken Chicken正兴醉鸡
Infused with the aroma of yellow wine, the chicken skin is crispy and has a delightful texture.
Address:
556 Fuzhou Road, Nanjing East Road, near Zhejiang Middle Road
南京东路街道福州路556号(近浙江中路)
Hours:
Monday to Sunday, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Average Spend:
188 CNY (about 26 USD) per person
Da Hu Chun (Sichuan Middle Road Branch) 大壶春(四川中路店)
- Shanghai Da Hu Chun is a time-honored restaurant known for its authentic Shanghai-style pan-fried dumplings, established in 1932. Its unique method of using fully fermented dough and less broth has made it the quintessential representative of pan-fried dumplings for old Shanghai residents.
Special Mini Pan-Fried Dumplings特制小锅生煎
Highly recommended! These dumplings stay warm in the pot, with a wonderfully crispy skin. The fluffy dough is perfectly cooked. There are various filling options, including fresh pork, crab roe, and shrimp—each one delicious.
Shrimp Meat Wontons虾肉小馄饨
The shrimp is very fresh, and the wonton wrappers are incredibly smooth. Enjoying them in broth is a delightful experience.
Address:
136 Sichuan Middle Road
四川中路136号
Hours:
Monday to Sunday, 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Average Spend:
28 CNY (about 4 USD) per person
Shen Dacheng (Nanjing East Road Branch) 沈大成(南京东路店)
- Shen Dacheng was founded in 1875 and is renowned for its Su-style pastries and Shanghai snacks. The restaurant emphasizes quality ingredients and craftsmanship, making its longevity cake, osmanthus cake, double-stuffed rice balls, and green dumplings famous throughout Shanghai.
Double Stuffed Rice Balls
A must-try! Filled with red beans and black sesame, these are wrapped in a soft, sticky rice skin and coated with coconut flakes.
Spring Three Delicacies Green Dumplings
A fully vegetarian dish featuring a blend of diced spring bamboo shoots, fresh mushrooms, and shepherd’s purse. With thin wrappers and generous fillings, each bite is incredibly satisfying.
Red Bean Paste Green Dumplings
Made with carefully selected red beans ground into a smooth paste. Stir-fried in vegetable oil, they have a sweet yet not overly rich flavor, with a delightful aroma and a soft, chewy texture—absolutely delicious!
Address:
636 Nanjing East Road
南京东路636号
Hours:
Monday to Sunday, 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Average Spend:
42 CNY (about 6 USD) per person
Xinghua Lou (Fuzhou Road Main Branch) 杏花樓(福州路总店)
- Xinghua Lou was established in the first year of the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty (1851) and is one of China’s renowned time-honored brands. It is celebrated for its authentic Cantonese cuisine and exquisite mooncakes.
Creamy Coconut Mooncake奶油椰蓉月饼
The overall flavor leans towards sweet and creamy, with a rich coconut aroma. The filling is dense, providing a strong coconut presence without being overly cloying. It’s quite sweet, so pairing it with tea is a good option if you prefer less sweetness.
Red Bean Paste Bun豆沙包
The rose-flavored red bean filling is a signature product of Xinghua Lou. It’s smooth and delicate, with the sweet red bean blending perfectly with the fragrant rose, which is just the right intensity. The dough is particularly impressive, resembling old-fashioned fermented dough—soft, chewy, and full of rich wheat aroma!
Chicken Meat Bun鸡肉大包
This bun features a filling of minced chicken mixed with mushrooms, resulting in a tender and smooth texture, with a light and slightly sweet seasoning.
Address:
343 Fuzhou Road (near Shandong Middle Road)
福州路343号（近山东中路）
Hours:
Monday to Sunday, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Average Spend:
260 CNY (about 36 USD) per person
Xiao Shaoxing Grand Hotel (Yunnan South Road Branch) 小绍兴大酒店(云南南路店)
- Shanghai Xiao Shaoxing Grand Hotel was established in 1943. This hotel holds the culinary memories of several generations of Shanghai residents, with its signature dish, white cut chicken, being the most well-known. Renowned for its crispy skin and tender meat, it is often considered one of the representatives of Shanghai local cuisine.
Chicken Oil Rice鸡油拌饭
Extremely fragrant, with each grain evenly coated in chicken oil. The rice has a great texture and becomes more flavorful the more you chew.
White Cut Chicken白斩鸡
“When it comes to white cut chicken, Xiao Shaoxing is the best” has become a common saying among many Shanghai locals. The meat is tender, and the dipping sauce is a perfect balance of sweet and salty, showcasing a distinctive Shanghai flavor.
Address:
75 Yunnan South Road
云南南路75号
Hours:
Monday to Sunday, 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Average Spend:
63 CNY (about 9 USD) per person
