Try Shanghai Authentic Local Food
Shanghai Local Snacks Tasting Guide for Foreign Tourists
Shanghai, a vibrant metropolis, is not only famous for its modern skyline but also for its rich and diverse local snacks. These snacks, with their unique flavors and textures, are an essential part of Shanghai’s cultural heritage. If you’re eager to explore the local food scene, this guide will introduce you to some of the best snack shops in different districts of Shanghai.
1. Huangpu District
Xiao Yang Sheng Jian
- Address: No. 605, Nanjing East Road, Huangpu District.
- Signature Dishes: Sheng Jian Bao, a type of pan-fried pork buns. The buns are filled with juicy pork and hot soup, and the bottom is crispy and golden brown. Their scallion oil noodles are also quite popular, with a rich and fragrant scallion flavor.
Da Hu Chun
- Address: No. 830, Nanjing West Road, Huangpu District.
- Signature Dishes: Sheng Jian Bao here has a distinct taste. The thin dough and large amount of filling make it a favorite among locals. Their fried rice cakes with turnip shreds are a must-try. The soft and chewy rice cakes are stir-fried with fresh turnip shreds, creating a delicious and satisfying dish.
Nanxiang Steamed Bun Shop
- Address: No. 85, Yuyuan Road, Huangpu District (inside Yuyuan Garden).
- Signature Dishes: Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings) are the star product. The thin skin is filled with savory soup and tender pork, offering a burst of flavor in every bite. Their crab roe Xiao Long Bao is a premium version, with a rich and unique taste.
2. Jing’an District
Yang’s Fry Dumplings
- Address: No. 190, Nanjing West Road, Jing’an District.
- Signature Dishes: Their fried dumplings are well-known. The dumplings are pan-fried to perfection, with a crispy exterior and a juicy, flavorful interior. The accompanying dipping sauce adds an extra kick to the taste.
- Signature Dishes: Another popular item is their beef soup. The clear soup is rich in flavor, with tender slices of beef and chewy noodles.
Jia Jia Tang Bao
- Address: No. 99, Weihai Road, Jing’an District.
- Signature Dishes: Jia Jia Tang Bao specializes in Xiao Long Bao. The dumplings are made with fresh ingredients, and the soup inside is abundant and delicious. Their vegetarian Xiao Long Bao is a great option for those who prefer a meat-free diet.
Wu’s Pancake
- Address: No. 123, Yan’an West Road, Jing’an District.
- Signature Dishes: Wu’s Pancake offers a variety of pancakes. The scallion pancakes are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a strong scallion aroma. Their egg pancakes, filled with different ingredients like ham and vegetables, are also very popular.
3. Xuhui District
Da Chang Dumpling Shop
- Address: No. 567, Huaihai Middle Road, Xuhui District.
- Signature Dishes: The dumplings here are handmade with fresh fillings. The pork and cabbage dumplings are a classic choice, with a perfect balance of flavors. Their dumpling soup is also worth trying, with a rich and savory broth.
Hong Kong Style Egg Tart Shop
- Address: No. 89, Tianping Road, Xuhui District.
- Signature Dishes: Their egg tarts are crispy on the outside and smooth and creamy on the inside. The sweet and rich flavor of the egg custard makes it a favorite among dessert lovers. They also offer a variety of other pastries, such as pineapple buns and milk tea.
Laowang Noodles
- Address: No. 345, Zhaojiabang Road, Xuhui District.
- Signature Dishes: Laowang Noodles is famous for its Shanghai-style noodles. The noodles are served with different toppings, such as braised pork belly and fried eggs. The thick and savory sauce coats the noodles perfectly, creating a delicious and filling meal.
4. Pudong New Area
Songhe Tang Bao
- Address: No. 234, Zhangyang Road, Pudong New Area.
- Signature Dishes: Songhe Tang Bao is renowned for its Xiao Long Bao. The soup inside the dumplings is hot and flavorful, and the meat filling is tender and fresh. Their scallion pancake rolls are also a local hit. The soft scallion pancakes are rolled with crispy fried dough sticks and other ingredients, offering a unique texture combination.
Lao Da Fang
- Address: No. 567, Century Avenue, Pudong New Area.
- Signature Dishes: Lao Da Fang’s mooncakes are a must-try. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, their mooncakes are in high demand. But even outside of the festival, their traditional pastries like mung bean cakes and red bean cakes are very popular. These cakes have a smooth and sweet filling, with a delicate crust.
Hai Di Lao
- Address: No. 890, Lujiazui Ring Road, Pudong New Area.
- Signature Dishes: Although it’s a well-known hot pot chain, Hai Di Lao in Shanghai also offers some local – inspired snacks. Their handmade noodles are a great addition to the hot pot. You can watch the chefs perform a noodle – pulling show before adding the fresh noodles to your pot. Their spicy beef tripe is also quite popular among customers who like spicy food.
5. Putuo District
Nanxiang Xiaolongbao (Putuo Branch)
- Address: No. 345, Zhenru Road, Putuo District.
- Signature Dishes: Similar to its counterparts in other districts, this branch is famous for its Xiao Long Bao. The dumplings have a thin and delicate skin, and the soup and meat filling are of high quality. Their pan – fried buns are also worth a try. The golden – brown buns are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
Liangjia Spicy Soup
- Address: No. 678, Zhongshan North Road, Putuo District.
- Signature Dishes: Liangjia Spicy Soup is a local favorite. The spicy soup is thick and rich, with a combination of ingredients like gluten, dried beancurd, and dried bamboo shoots. It has a spicy and savory flavor that warms you up from the inside.
Zhenru Shao Mai Shop
- Address: No. 987, Ziyou Road, Putuo District.
- Signature Dishes: Zhenru Shao Mai Shop’s Shao Mai is a must – taste. The translucent skin is filled with a delicious mixture of glutinous rice, minced meat, and mushrooms. Each bite is full of rich and complex flavors.
6. Yangpu District
Guilin Road Steamed Bun Shop
- Address: No. 456, Guilin Road, Yangpu District.
- Signature Dishes: Their steamed buns are a local specialty. The filling varieties include traditional pork, as well as innovative combinations like pork with black fungus. The dough is soft and fluffy, and the fillings are generous and flavorful. They also offer a great variety of steamed vegetable buns for those who prefer a vegetarian option.
Changyang Road Stinky Tofu
- Address: No. 789, Changyang Road, Yangpu District.
- Signature Dishes: As the name suggests, their stinky tofu is a star item. Despite its pungent smell, the stinky tofu has a crispy exterior and a tender, creamy interior. Dipped in the special sauce, it offers a unique and addictive taste. Their deep – fried rice cakes are also quite popular, with a crispy outer layer and a chewy texture.
Yangpu Noodle House
- Address: No. 23, Guoquan Road, Yangpu District.
- Signature Dishes: This noodle house is famous for its seafood noodles. The broth is made from fresh seafood, giving it a rich and umami flavor. The noodles are served with a generous amount of shrimp, clams, and other seafood ingredients. Their pickled mustard greens noodles are also a great choice, with a refreshing and slightly sour taste.
7. Changning District
Jinling Pastry Shop
- Address: No. 123, Jinling Road, Changning District.
- Signature Dishes: Jinling Pastry Shop is well – known for its Shanghai – style pastries. Their osmanthus cake is a must – try. Made with sweet osmanthus flowers, the cake has a delicate fragrance and a soft, smooth texture. Their red bean paste pastries are also very popular, with a sweet and creamy filling.
Changning Sheng Jian
- Address: No. 567, Zhongshan West Road, Changning District.
- Signature Dishes: Changning Sheng Jian specializes in Sheng Jian Bao. The buns are pan – fried to perfection, with a crispy bottom and a juicy, flavorful filling. They also offer a special version with cheese inside, which combines the traditional taste with a modern twist.
Xijiao Steamed Dumpling
- Address: No. 890, Hongqiao Road, Changning District.
- Signature Dishes: Xijiao Steamed Dumpling’s steamed dumplings are highly recommended. The dumplings come in various fillings, such as pork and leek, beef and carrot. The skin is thin and chewy, and the fillings are fresh and delicious. Their dumpling dipping sauce is unique, adding an extra layer of flavor to the dumplings.
8. General Precautions
- Cash or Mobile Payment: While most shops in Shanghai accept mobile payment methods like Alipay and WeChat Pay, it’s a good idea to carry some cash with you, just in case. Some smaller or older shops may only accept cash.
- Queueing: Popular snack shops are often crowded, especially during peak meal times. Be prepared to wait in line for a while. You can try to visit the shops during off – peak hours to avoid long queues.
- Language Barrier: Some shop owners and staff may not be fluent in English. It’s helpful to have the names of the snacks in Chinese ready, either written down or on your phone, to make the ordering process easier.
- Food Allergies: If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, make sure to communicate them clearly to the staff. Some Shanghai snacks may contain common allergens like peanuts, shellfish, or soy sauce.
We hope this guide will help you have a wonderful and delicious experience exploring Shanghai’s local snacks. Enjoy your culinary adventure in Shanghai!
