Shanghai Bites – Finding Good Local Food

Shanghai Bites – Finding Good Local Food
By Susie Gordon , eChinacities.com

In the grand scheme of things, Shanghainese food gets a bit of a raw deal. It’s not as fiery as Hunan cai, nor as tasty as Sichuan. It doesn’t have the bizarre ingredients of Guangdong food, and it’s not as memorable as Dongbei-style. Most people see it as either too sweet, or else as bland, glutinous fare with little to recommend it. In fact, there’s much more to it than meets the eye.

Known by the moniker 沪菜 (hù cài), Shanghainese food is actually a mixture of the cuisines of neighbouring Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces. Close to the sea, and with many rivers and lakes, the two provinces have traditionally used a lot of seafood and freshwater fish in their cooking. It’s common to see ‘drunken fish’ on menus in Shanghai; this isn’t a bit of amusing Chinglish – chefs actually marinate fish, as well as crabs and chicken, in spirits before steaming them. Sugar is an important ingredient in Shanghainese cookery, giving the food a distinctive flavour that is more sweet-and-sour than just sweet.

Delicacies of the area include hairy crabs from Yancheng Lake which come into season in September, and xiaolongbao dumplings full of thin soup and minced pork. Breakfast fare includes savoury pancakes and rice porridge, and Shanghainese restaurants often serve dessert, which is unusual in China.

So if you like the sound of all that and want to find a place to try Shanghainese food, check out our guide to the city’s best hù cài restaurants:

Jade Garden 苏浙汇
This Shanghainese chain restaurants is a good place to start if you want good quality local food in a luxury environment without shelling out too much money for the experience. Regional classics like crab buns, fried shrimp and boiled vegetables are all here, along with many more choices. The central branches are very popular, so book ahead.

Jade Garden
Hongkou LocationView In Map
895 Dalian Lu, near Feihong Lu, Hongkou District, Shanghai
上海虹口区大连路895号

Pudong Location View In Map
877 Dongfang Lu, near Weifang Lu, Pudong, Shanghai
上海浦东新区东方路877号 

French Concession Location View In Map
127 Maoming Nan Lu, Luwan District, Shangahi
上海卢湾区茂名南路127号  

Jing’an LocationView In Map
1121 Yan'an Zhong Lu, near Huashan Lu, Jing’an District, Shanghai
上海静安区延安中路1121号

Xuhui LocationView In Map
1-2F, Huatai Building, 388 Zhaojiabang Lu, near Taiyuan Lu, Xuhui District, Shanghai
上海徐汇区肇嘉浜路388号华泰大厦1-2楼

Hong Rui Xing 鸿瑞兴
What makes Hong Rui Xing unique are the wax versions of all the dishes from which you can make your choices. Unconventional, but fun. Plus, no nasty surprises when your food arrives. One major criticism of Shanghainese food is the small portions, but this place counters that with decent sized servings. Particularly well-done here is the fish head soup.

Hong Rui Xing
Xuhui Location View In Map
1-3/F, Dongya Building, 1500 Zhongshan Nan Er Lu, near Zhongshan Xi Lu, Xuhui, Shanghai
上海徐汇区中山南二路1500号东亚大厦1-3楼

Yangpu LocationView In Map
163 Dunhua Lu, near Songhuajiang Lu, Yangpu District, Shanghai
上海杨浦区敦化路163号

Putuo LocationView In Map
399 Meiling Nan Lu, near Lanxi Lu, Putuo District, Shanghai
上海普陀区梅岭南路399号

 Whampoa Club黄浦会View In Map
If you’ve got some cash to flash and want to taste Shanghainese food in opulent surroundings, the Whampoa Club is the place for you. It’s on the fifth floor of Three on the Bund – one of Shanghai’s most famous buildings, with stunning interiors to match. The concept is Shanghainese with a modern touch, cooked by experienced Chinese chefs who know what they’re doing when it comes to local haute cuisine.
Add: 5/F, 3 on the Bund, 3 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Guangdong Lu, Huangpu District, Shanghai
上海黄浦区中山东一路3号外滩3号5楼(近广东路)

Wo Jia 我家 (My Home)View In Map
One of the longest established Shanghainese restaurants in the city, Wo Jia (or ‘My Home’) has been offering up local dishes for many years now, and is a good choice for a mid-priced meal in the heart of town.
Add: Bldg 7, 229 Huashan Lu, near Yan'an Xi Lu, Jing’an District, Shanghai
上海静安区华山路229弄7号(近延安西路)

Jin Chun 金醇View In Map
The Hongmei Lu area is popular with expats, and Jin Chun is always well attended by foreigners and locals alike. They’re famed for their chicken dishes, especially the Homemade Braised Chicken, which comes in half or whole portions. The rice vermicelli pot is another favourite. Prices are reasonable.
Add: Bldg 9, 3911 Hongmei Lu, near Hongcao Nan Lu, Shanghai
上海闵行区虹梅路3911号9号楼(近延安西路)

Ye Shanghai 夜上海View In Map
Xintiandi may seem like a Mecca for moneyed tourists, but there’s a good dose of local colour here in the shape of Ye Shanghai. It’s Shanghainese brought bang up to date, and offers business lunches and weekend dim sum brunches, as well as a dinner menu including xiaolongbao, and sweet and sour pork. This is a great place to try Shanghainese dessert – the mango pudding comes highly recommended.
Add: 338 Huangpi Nan Lu, Xintiandi, Shanghai
上海黄陂南路338号新天地广场

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