Eating in Shanghai
With a rich and storied history spanning over 400 years, Shanghai Cuisine has garnered worldwide acclaim and recognition. Esteemed for its unique and harmonious integration of the most captivating elements from various national culinary traditions, this cuisine stands as a testament to culinary excellence. It skillfully incorporates the finest aspects of international gastronomy, yet manages to infuse them with its own distinctive character, evolving into what is known as Ben Bang Cuisine. The term "Ben Bang" literally translates to "local," emphasizing its deep-rooted connection to the region and its exceptional utilization of fresh, locally sourced fish. As one of the prestigious Eight Major Cuisines of China, Shanghai Cuisine exerts a profound influence on culinary enthusiasts across the globe. Referred to as Hu Cai in Chinese, it holds a special place in the hearts of the local populace, being the most beloved and preferred culinary style among them.
Distinct from Cantonese cuisine, which also prides itself on the use of fresh seafood, Shanghai dishes are characterized by their robust flavors and the vibrant, rich hues imparted by soybean sauce. This culinary tradition is a feast for the senses, offering a symphony of tastes and colors that are both bold and inviting.
Among the myriad of delectable offerings within Shanghai Cuisine, two dishes stand out as quintessential representatives: Xiang You Shan Hu and Ba Bao La Jiang. Xiang You Shan Hu, whose name is derived from the delightful crackling sound produced when hot oil is poured over eel, is a culinary experience that captivates both the palate and the ears. On the other hand, Ba Bao La Jiang, translating to "Eight Auspicious Pepper Sauce," is not merely a condiment but a hearty dish in its own right. This dish is a delightful medley of shrimp, peanuts, pork, bamboo shoots, chicken, tripe, and a savory sauce, each ingredient meticulously combined to create a harmonious and satisfying meal.
Famous Local Food
Nanxiang Steamed Stuffed Buns
Nanxiang Steamed Stuffed Buns feature the typical Ben Bang flavor. This snack xiao long bao, or soup dumplings, with nearly 100 years' history is famous for its thin wrap, heavy flavor, and tender meat. What's more, it varies with the season: bamboo shoot for spring, shrimp for summer, crab for autumn, etc. The translucent soup dumplings are as small as water chestnuts. Visitors can taste this snack at: No.238, Guyiyuan Road, Nanxiang Town, Jiading District.

Braised Pork (Hongshaorou 红烧肉)
If you don't know what to eat in Shanghai "to local standards," try braised pork in soy sauce. After careful washing, the pork is stewed for several hours with caramel water and a typical brown sauce (including Shaoxing sauce, soy sauce and seafood sauce), which is sweet and strong for cockroaches to resist.

Fried Stuffed Buns
What makes the Nanxiang Steamed Stuffed Buns so special is its typical Ben Bang flavor. With nearly 100 years’ history, this snack is famous for its thin wrap, heavy flavor, and tender meat. Besides, it uses different materials along with the season: bamboo shoot for spring, shrimp for summer, crab for autumn, and so on. The translucent buns are as small as water chestnuts. You can taste this snack at: No.238, Guyiyuan Road, Nanxiang Town, Jiading District.

Eight treasure stewed duck
Another Shanghai specialty you must try is Babao stewed duck. The delicious dish features eight essential ingredients (including tender bamboo shoots, dried scallops, glutinous rice, minced pork, shiitake mushrooms, mixed nuts, chestnuts and duck gizzard) stuffed into the duck belly and cooked until tasty. The finished product is soft, melting in the mouth, golden and attractive in color, and extremely rich in nutrition.

Vegetable stuffed Buns
As the name suggests, Vegetable stuffed buns are without meat but the flavor is not influenced at all. For vegetarians, these buns with vegetables, mushroom, bamboo shoots, dried bean curd, etc are a good choice.

Where to taste:
Chunfeng Songyue Vegetable Dish Restaurant
Address: No.23, Bailing Road, Cheng Huang Miao
Shanghai Xie Ke Huang Pan Cake
As the name suggests, Vegetable stuffed buns are without meat but the flavor is not influenced at all. For vegetarians, these buns with vegetables, mushroom, bamboo shoots, dried bean curd, etc are a good choice.

The recommended place to try this is:
Wuyuan Bakery
No.1530, Beijing West Road, Jing'an District
No. 255, Yanping Road, Jing'an District
Recommended Food Streets
Shanghai, renowned as a veritable paradise for culinary enthusiasts, boasts an impressive array of famous food streets that are a testament to the city's rich gastronomic culture. Among these, the most celebrated and frequented include Huanghe Road Food Street, Yunnan South Road Food Street, Zhapu Road Food Street, among others. These bustling thoroughfares are a melting pot of flavors, where a diverse range of authentic Shanghai snacks coexist harmoniously with an eclectic selection of international cuisines. From traditional Shanghainese delicacies to exotic dishes from across the globe, these food streets offer an unparalleled dining experience. They serve as a haven for both locals and tourists alike, providing an extensive variety of dining options that cater to every palate and preference, ensuring that every visit is a delightful gastronomic adventure.
Huanghe Road
With the soaring popularity of the captivating TV series "Blossoms Shanghai," Huanghe Road has rapidly ascended to become one of the most sought-after and bustling destinations in the vibrant city of Shanghai. This surge in fame has also resurfaced and revitalized the rich and vivid narratives surrounding the culinary experiences of people dining on Huanghe Road. Nestled conveniently near the iconic People's Square, Huanghe Road Food Street is merely a leisurely 5-minute stroll away from the nearest subway station, making it incredibly accessible to both locals and tourists alike. This bustling food haven boasts an impressive array of culinary delights, encompassing a diverse spectrum of offerings such as authentic local Shanghai cuisine, traditional tea restaurants, flavorful Korean cuisine, exquisite Japanese food, and an assortment of delectable desserts. Should you find yourself weary from exploring the historic and picturesque Bund, Huanghe Road Food Street provides the perfect respite where you can indulge in a sumptuous feast, satisfying both your palate and your soul.

Zhapu Road
With the soaring popularity of the captivating TV series "Blossoms Shanghai," Huanghe Road has rapidly ascended to become one of the most sought-after and bustling destinations in the vibrant city of Shanghai. This surge in fame has also resurfaced and revitalized the rich and vivid narratives surrounding the culinary experiences of people dining on Huanghe Road. Nestled conveniently near the iconic People's Square, Huanghe Road Food Street is merely a leisurely 5-minute stroll away from the nearest subway station, making it incredibly accessible to both locals and tourists alike. This bustling food haven boasts an impressive array of culinary delights, encompassing a diverse spectrum of offerings such as authentic local Shanghai cuisine, traditional tea restaurants, flavorful Korean cuisine, exquisite Japanese food, and an assortment of delectable desserts. Should you find yourself weary from exploring the historic and picturesque Bund, Huanghe Road Food Street provides the perfect respite where you can indulge in a sumptuous feast, satisfying both your palate and your soul.

Yunnan South Road
"When you take your very first steps onto Yunnan Road, an overwhelming sense of delight will immediately trigger your salivary glands into action," this is the high praise that fervent food enthusiasts and culinary aficionados consistently bestow upon the renowned Yunnan South Road Food Street. Yunnan South Road, a bustling culinary haven, originates from the bustling Jinling East Road in the southern part of the city and stretches all the way up to the vibrant Yan'an East Road in the northern section. Despite its relatively modest length of just 391 meters, this short stretch of road manages to combine an astonishing array of delectable and diverse delights, making it a veritable paradise for anyone with a passion for good food. The street is a melting pot of flavors, where traditional and modern tastes coexist harmoniously, offering a tantalizing experience that keeps food lovers coming back for more.

Chenghuangmiao
Shanghai’s Chenghuangmiao area is a vibrant cultural hub, famous for its historical temple and bustling food street. Located in the heart of the city, the food street surrounding the Chenghuangmiao Temple offers an exciting culinary journey through traditional Shanghainese flavors and street food. One of the must-try dishes here is what we mentioned above, the iconic steamed stuffed buns , with its thin, delicate wrapper filled with piping hot broth and savory pork. There are also a variety of roasted snacks that entice visitors with their irresistible scents. The food street is a sensory experience, with vibrant colors, sounds, and aromas filling the air, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists. Beyond the delicious food, the area is also known for its traditional architecture and local shops selling Chinese crafts and souvenirs, offering visitors a chance to experience both Shanghai’s culinary and cultural heritage.

Recommended Restaurants
For your reference, the following are the restaurants rated most popular by the tourists and also locals:
Lost Heaven(花马天堂云南餐厅)
Lost Heaven is a restaurant in Shanghai's former French Concession, offering an authentic Yunnan cuisine dining experience. The colonial-style building enhances its ambiance.
Add:38 Gaoyou Rd, Xuhui District, Shanghai, China, 200031Tel:86-21-64335126
Din Tai Fung(鼎泰丰)
A Taiwanese chain with global locations is famed for its Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings). Though wrongly linked to Shanghai cuisine, it has made a name globally. With its 18-fold crown and pork & crab roe fillings, Din Tai Fung is hailed by chefs and food writers for serving some of the world's best Xiao Long Bao.
Add:China, Shanghai, Jing'An, Nanjing Rd (W)Tel: 86-21-62899182
Jia Jia Tang Bao(佳家汤包)
When you're in Shanghai, a city mixing old and new, be sure to spare some time for an culinary adventure at Jia Jia Tang Bao. This popular eatery is known for its xiao long bao, or soup dumplings. These are little parcels filled with savory pork and broth, quite irresistible. Originating from a street vendor in the late 19th century, they've become an iconic dish of Shanghainese cuisine.
Add:90 Huanghe Rd, People's Square, Huangpu, Shanghai, China, 200003Tel: 86-21-63276878
Saizeriya Nanjing East Road (萨莉亚意式餐厅南京西路店)
Saizeriya is a popular Italian fast food restaurant among the youth in China,for the fine taste and reasonable price, it’s not a place for fine dinning, but a good place for a quick meal.
Add:B1/F, 555 Nanjing Xi Lu,near Chengdu Bei LuJing'an DistrictTel: 86-21-6255 3754
Xin Rong Ji(新荣记)
Nestled along the vibrant Nanjing West Road, Xin Rong Ji offers an unforgettable dining experience with its exquisite selection of Shanghainese delicacies, blending traditional Taizhou flavors with modern flair. It gained 1 star on Michelin Guide. Every dish is crafted to perfection, making it the perfect spot for food lovers seeking an authentic taste of Shanghai.
Add:No.688 Nanjing West Road, Jing'an District L2 Henderson 688 Square,, Shanghai ChinaTel:86-21-53861717
Indian Kitchen
Add:No. 572 Yongjia Lu, Shanghai, ChinaTel:86-21-64731517
The Grill
Add:Grand Hyatt, No. 88 Shiji Dadao, Pudong, ChinaTel:86-21-50491234
The Grill
Add:Grand Hyatt, No. 88 Shiji Dadao, Pudong, ChinaTel:86-21-50491234
Ashanti Dome
Add:No. 16 Gao Lan Road (near the corner of Si Nan Road)ShanghaiTel:86-21-53066777
Giovanni's
Add:Sheraton Grand Tai Ping Yang, 27th floor, No. 5 Zunyi Nan Lu,Tel:86-21-62758888
1221
Add:No. 1221 Yanan West Road, ShanghaiTel:86-21-62136585
New Shanghai Restaurant
Add:No. 869Nanjing Western Road, ShanghaiTel:86-21-62729605
Hot Pot King
Add:2F, No. 1066 Huaihai Zhong Road (above Planet Shanghai restaurant)Tel:86-21-64746545
Xi Jia Hua Yuan
Add: No. 1 Dongping RoadTel:86-21-62801593
Blue Sky Rotational
Add:No. 161 Changle RoadTel:86-21-64151188-84101
Juelin Vegetarian Restaurant
Add:No.250 East Jinling RoadTel:86-21-63260115
Gongdelin
Add:No. 445 Nanjing Xi Lu, Shanghai, ChinaTel:86-21-63270218
Vegetarian Life Style
Add:1F.No.77 Songshan RdWangbaohe Restaurant
Add:No. 603 Fuzhou RoadTel:86-21-63597665
Grape Restaurant
Add:No. 55 Xinle Lu, Shanghai, ChinaTel:86-21-54040486
Fong's Vietnamese Cuisine
Add:2F, Lippo Plaza, No. 222 Huaihai Zhonglu, Shanghai, ChinaTel:86-21-63877228
Fragrant Camphor Garden
Add:2A Hengshan Lu, Shanghai, ChinaTel:021/6433-4385
Gao Li Korean Restaurant
Add:No.1, 181 Wuyuan Lu, Shanghai, ChinaTel:86-21-64315236