Shanghai Food Guide
What to Eat, Where to Find It, and How to Order Like a Local
🥢 Must-Try Dishes
XiaolongbaoSoup Dumplings
Thin wrappers encase delicious meat filling and piping-hot broth. Take a small bite to sip the broth first, then dip in shredded ginger and vinegar.
30–50 yuan per basket
Where to Eat
Yu Garden (豫园)→Nanxiang Steamed Bun Shop (南翔馒头店)
Dine-in on the second floor; crab roe xiaolongbao are 45 yuan per basket.
Tips for Ordering Food: Take a small bite first to let the steam escape, sip the broth, then dip it in vinegar. Don’t swallow it whole—it’s extremely hot!
Pan-fried bunsPan-fried Pork Buns
Crispy and golden on the bottom, fluffy on top, with a delicious pork filling and piping-hot broth inside.
10–20 yuan for 4 pieces
Where to Eat
Nanjing Road (南京路)→Dahuchun (大壶春)
A time-honored establishment since 1932, renowned for its fully leavened pan-fried buns.
Tips for Ordering Food: Wait two minutes after it’s served before eating—the broth inside is scalding hot!
🍽️ Restaurant Recommendations
Shanghainese CuisineShanghai Benbang Cuisine
Rich, savory sauces—braised pork belly is fatty yet not greasy; stir-fried shrimp in oil is sweet and fresh with crispy shells.
150–250 yuan per person
Where to Eat
Tianping Road (天平路)→Lao Jishi (老吉士)
One of the most famous local cuisine restaurants—be sure to make a reservation in advance.
Tips for Ordering Food: Shanghainese cuisine tends to be on the sweeter side; if you’re not used to it, order some vegetables to balance it out. Braised pork with rice—mixing the meat sauce into the rice is the key.