Shanghai China Travel Guide
Shanghai cuisine draws its character from the Jiangnan region's cooking styles. The city's status as a vibrant port and international hub also influenced its food evolution.
This cuisine highlights sweet and savory flavors, often incorporating soy sauce, sugar, rice wine, and ginger. Seafood, pork, and fresh seasonal ingredients appear frequently.
Pork, fish from rivers and lakes, various seafood (especially hairy crab in autumn), river prawns, local vegetables (bok choy, water spinach), fermented tofu.
Balances sweet and savory tastes. Rice wine and ginger often add flavor. This cuisine is less spicy than Sichuan or Hunan cuisine.
Beyond "Benbang," Shanghai offers Cantonese, Sichuan, Hunan, and Xinjiang dishes, alongside a vast selection of international cuisines.
Steamed soup dumplings, typically filled with pork and a flavorful broth. A required Shanghai experience.
Where to find: Jia Jia Tang Bao, Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant, Din Tai Fung.
Braised pork belly in a rich, sweet, and savory soy sauce-based glaze.
Where to find: Local Shanghainese restaurants, home-style eateries.
A seasonal delicacy, available in autumn, famous for its rich roe. Often steamed and served with ginger vinegar.
Where to find: Specialty crab restaurants (Wang Bao He), high-end Shanghainese restaurants.
Soy milk, Plum juice, various teas (green tea, Pu-erh tea).
Regional brews (Tsingtao, Harbin), local rice wine, Baijiu (strong distilled spirit).
Shanghai is home to several Michelin-starred restaurants and high-end dining experiences.
Countless options present various Chinese regional cuisines and international fare.
Explore neighborhood noodle shops, family-run restaurants, and food courts.
Shanghai features a vast array of international cuisines: French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Indian, Thai, American, and more.
Found especially in places such as the Former French Concession, Xintiandi, and Jing'an.
Many expatriate communities and international business hubs bring a range of cuisine options to the city.
These areas cater to global palates with authentic and fusion dining establishments.
Increasingly available. Buddhist vegetarian restaurants exist. Use apps for translation.
Available at Xinjiang (Uyghur) restaurants. Some supermarkets carry Halal products.
Very limited. Chabad House in Shanghai supplies kosher meals and resources.
Challenging due to brown sauce made from fermented soybeans and wheat in many dishes. Written Chinese phrases for allergies are helpful.
Restaurants in skyscrapers (Shanghai Tower) or alongside The Bund provide spectacular city views.
These locations offer an unforgettable backdrop for your meal.
Discovering small, hidden local restaurants in traditional lane houses delivers an authentic experience.
These spots often serve classic dishes in a charming, intimate setting.
Hairy Crab is seen in autumn. Tangyuan brightens the Lantern Festival. Zongzi marks the Dragon Boat Festival. Mooncakes are a Mid-Autumn Festival treat.
These special foods offer a taste of Shanghai's festive essence and culinary heritage.
Xiaolongbao are steamed soup dumplings, typically filled with pork and a rich broth, a typical Shanghai experience.
Jia Jia Tang Bao is an area favorite. Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant in Yu Garden offers a popular spot (though often touristy). Din Tai Fung is an international chain with high-quality offerings.
The delicate pleats and visible soup within the dumpling make Xiaolongbao a visually appealing dish, often photographed before eating.
The classic filling features savory ground pork, providing a sturdy base for the dumpling's combination of flavors.
Regularly combined with a gelatin that melts into broth during steaming.
A more luxurious version includes crab roe, imparting a richer, oceanic flavor, especially well-liked during hairy crab season.
This seasonal delicacy elevates the traditional dumpling.
The delicate folds and juicy interior make Xiaolongbao a feast for the eyes and the palate.
Served fresh from the steamer, these dumplings provide a warming and flavorful experience.
A basket of Xiaolongbao captures a classic Shanghai dining moment, ready for savoring.
Be open to new flavors and experiences.
