Food

---

Shanghai Benbang Cuisine (本帮菜) is known for its "rich oil and red sauce, slightly sweet taste." When visiting Shanghai, be sure to start with these classics:

• 大壶春生煎 (Da Hu Chun Shengjian)

  • Specialty: Old Shanghai "Qingshui style" Shengjian (pan-fried buns) with a thicker dough that has a wheaty aroma. The bottom is fried to a golden crisp, with moderate soup inside and firm meat filling, representing a traditional flavor.
  • Recommended pairing: a bowl of curry beef soup, salty and rich.
  • Location: Multiple branches, classic stores around Yunnan South Road (云南南路) and Sichuan Middle Road (四川中路), within walking distance of People's Square (人民广场) and East Nanjing Road (南京东路).

• 鲜得来排骨年糕 (Xiandelaipai Gu Nian Gao)

  • Specialty: Signature fried pork chop with rice cake. The fried pork chop is crispy outside and tender inside, topped with a sweet sauce and paired with soft, glutinous rice cakes—a typical Shanghai sweet "carb bomb."
  • Location: Recommended store at No. 36 Yunnan South Road (云南南路36号), close to People's Square (人民广场) and Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street (南京东路步行街).

• 舒蔡记生煎菜饭 (Shu Caiji Shengjian Caifan)

  • Specialty: Shengjian potstickers with thin, slightly crispy skin and a light meat filling; freshly baked rice with preserved pork and greens is oily and fragrant with lard aroma, a local favorite for breakfast or a simple meal.
  • Location: Branch on Yunnan Middle Road (云南中路), within walking distance to People's Square (人民广场), Shanghai Book City (上海书城), and Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street (南京路步行街).

• 沪西老弄堂面馆 (Huxi Lao Nongtang Noodle)

  • Specialty: Typical Benbang noodle shop, signature clam & pork liver noodles with a "rich oil and red sauce" broth, slightly sweet with strong scallion oil aroma and chewy noodles; also offers classic scallion oil noodles.
  • Location: Multiple branches including Dingxi Road (定西路), great for experiencing the "old lane" flavor along the way.

• 莱莱小笼 (Lailai Xiaolong)

  • Specialty: Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) with thin skin, large filling, and rich broth. The fresh pork xiaolongbao is a hidden menu item, and the pure crab roe xiaolongbao has a strong crab flavor. Fried pork chops and fried chicken are also popular for their crispy outside and tender inside.
  • Location: Old store on Tianjin Road (天津路), near East Nanjing Road (南京东路), within walking distance to The Bund (外滩) and Yuyuan Garden (豫园).

• 光明邨 (Guangming Village)

  • Specialty: Famous for savory pork mooncakes with a crispy-soft crust and juicy filling that "explodes" with juice; also offers various Benbang dim sum, a popular spot for locals lining up during festivals.
  • Location: Multiple branches concentrated in downtown shopping areas, perfect for takeaway gifts.

• 外滩家宴·上海菜 (Waitan Jiayan Shanghai Cuisine)

  • Specialty: Benbang restaurant, recommended osmanthus braised pork belly, fatty but not greasy, slightly sweet, very appetizing; overall good value for a scenic area.
  • Location: Recommended at 2nd Floor, No. 80 Jiujiang Road (九江路80号2楼) and No. 22 The Bund (外滩22号), near The Bund (外滩) river view. Be sure to check the address to avoid counterfeit stores.

• 李百蟹·蟹黄面·临江餐厅 (外滩·豫园店) (Li Baixie Crab Roe Noodles)

  • Specialty: Focuses on crab roe noodles, with crab roe and crab meat generously covering every strand of noodles; main dishes can be noodles or rice, with free refills available. Also offers crab roe xiaolongbao, Huadiao wine marinated crab, drunken shrimp, and other "crab feasts."
  • Desserts: Strawberry mochi ice, taro mochi, green rice ball ice tofu pudding, and other chewy sweet treats perfect for cutting through richness.
  • Location: 2nd Floor, No. 22 The Bund (外滩22号2楼, Yuyuan branch), The Bund Nanjing Road branch, close to The Bund (外滩), Yuyuan Garden (豫园), and Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street (南京东路步行街).

• Other historic brands and Benbang restaurants:

  • Lvbolang (绿波廊), Lao Fandian (老饭店), Dexingguan (德兴馆), Songyuelou (松月楼), Guangming Village (光明邨), Laobanzhai (老半斋), Wang Baohe (王宝和) are all long-established Benbang or dim sum shops, mostly concentrated in Huangpu District (黄浦区), Yuyuan (豫园), and Nanjing Road (南京东路) areas, ideal for visitors wanting a comprehensive "Old Shanghai flavor" experience.
  • Lantingji (兰亭集): Benbang cuisine in a standalone old Western-style house, recommended dishes include crispy eel strips with fragrant oil, smoked fish, and oil-burst prawns. The ambiance is strong, perfect for those seeking a refined version of Benbang cuisine.
  • Hugongguan·Shanghai Cuisine (沪公馆·上海菜): Benbang restaurant with an average cost of about ¥110 (~$16 USD) per person, suitable for gatherings with friends.

---

---

Besides local Shanghai cuisine, you can find almost every regional Chinese culinary style here:

• Sichuan & Chongqing Hotpot & Spicy Dishes

  • 鸿姐老火锅 (Hongjie Hotpot)
    • Highlights: Authentic Chongqing/Sichuan old hotpot with rich broth and moderate spiciness, perfect for warming up in winter; reasonably priced for the Jing’an District, great for gatherings with friends.
    • Location: Multiple outlets around Jing’an District, convenient to visit after shopping at Jing’an Temple (静安寺) and West Nanjing Road (南京西路).
  • 李莫颠鲜椒鱼蛙馆 (Li Modian Fresh Pepper Fish & Frog)
    • Highlights: Peppery and numbing fish & bullfrog hotpot with live fish and fresh bullfrogs; broth is spicy, numbing, and fragrant; side dishes include fish roe and fish bladder; snacks like sweet water noodles, rabbit head, and sweet-skinned duck offer authentic Sichuan-Chongqing flavors.
    • Location: Along Changshou Road (长寿路), a popular spot in the Changshou Road food street.
  • 付二娘鲜鱼美蛙馆 (Fu Erniang Fish & Frog)
    • Highlights: Freshly caught fish and spicy fragrant fish & frog hotpot, ideal for those who love bold flavors.

• Skewers & Barbecue

  • 归蜀第成都串串 (Guishu Di Chengdu Chuanchuan)
    • Highlights: Chengdu-style skewered hotpot with a spicy and aromatic broth; skewers priced between ¥1–5 each, average spending about ¥60 (~$9 USD); highly recommended homemade iced jelly and handmade glutinous rice cake iced jelly.
    • Location: Main store near Century Park (世纪公园) on Meihua Road (梅花路) in Pudong; other branches also mostly in Pudong.
  • 江一刀·鲜货烧烤大排档 (Shanghai’s first Jiang Yidao BBQ)
    • Highlights: Made-to-order skewers and barbecue combined with Hunan cuisine in a lively street food stall atmosphere; popular items include crispy cartilage, various beef skewers (such as Qingwang beef, sweet garlic beef, pineapple beef); also try Hunan specialties like potato rice, mustard river shrimp, and paper-wrapped ribs.
    • Location: Around Changshou Road (长寿路), perfect for late-night snacks.
  • 三个蒙古大叔烤羊肉串 (Three Mongolian Uncles Lamb Skewers) (Meilan Lake Jindi Plaza)
    • Highlights: Freshly grilled lamb skewers and lamb chops with firm texture and a milky aroma, great for lamb lovers.

• Other Regional Cuisines & Hotpot

  • 嗲嗲的椰子鸡 (Diadia Coconut Chicken)
    • Highlights: Hainan-style coconut chicken hotpot using young coconut water and Wenchang chicken, with a clear and sweet broth; some locations add durian for a richer flavor.
    • Location: Stores near Wujiaochang (五角场) and Pudong, close to Century Park (世纪公园) and North Bund (北外滩) areas.
  • 太琼糟粕醋 (Taiqiong Zaopo Vinegar Hotpot)
    • Highlights: Hainan fermented rice vinegar hotpot with a sour and spicy broth, great for seafood dipping; also offers desserts like fruit stir-fried ice.
    • Location: Store in Joy City (大悦城) near Jing’an Temple (静安寺) and Suhewan (苏河湾) shopping districts.
  • 楼上火锅 (Lou Shang Hotpot) and 洋房火锅 (Yangfang Hotpot): Specialize in Hong Kong-style hotpot with delicacies like fish maw chicken broth, snowflake beef, and salted pepper frog; elegant environment suitable for dates or small gatherings.
  • 三清潭烧鹅 (Sanqingtan Roast Goose): Famous Cantonese restaurant known for roast goose, perfect for visitors craving authentic Cantonese roasted meats.

• High-End Chinese Cuisine & Banquets

  • 福1088 (Fu 1088): Michelin-starred and Black Pearl listed Chinese restaurant located in a historic Western-style house; exquisite dishes like stir-fried crab roe toast, vine pepper wagyu beef, and yellow croaker stewed noodles; ideal for upscale dining experiences.
  • 遇外滩 (Yu Waitan): Focuses on Fujian cuisine with a lighter taste, suitable for Guangdong/Hong Kong/Macau visitors; recommended desserts include Wuyi Mountain Dahongpao tea jelly; the Skyline branch offers stunning night views of the Bund.
  • 晟永兴 (Sheng Yongxing): Known as the pinnacle of Beijing roast duck in Shanghai, featuring caviar roast duck, golden armor deep-sea yellow croaker, sea urchin and perilla baked matsutake crab; perfect for business banquets.
  • 成隆行 (颐丰华园店) (Chenglonghang, Yifeng Huayuan Branch): Crab feast in a century-old Western-style house, ideal for enjoying a full crab banquet during crab season.
  • 人和馆 (Renheguan), 圆苑 (Yuanyuan), 繁楼 (Fanlou): Chinese restaurants located in malls or historic Western-style houses, serving refined local Shanghai cuisine, seafood, and hairy crabs; great for family dinners or gatherings with friends.

---

---

Shanghai's international restaurants are highly concentrated, making it very easy for foreign visitors to enjoy "taste of home":

• Western & Brunch

  • Mercato by Jean-Georges, Scarpetta Trattoria, THE NEST, Mercado 505, RB意思餐厅, Scilla, CHARCOAL SH, etc.: Located in core business districts like 外滩 (The Bund), 陆家嘴 (Lujiazui), and 南京西路 (West Nanjing Road), these restaurants specialize in Italian, modern European, charcoal grill, and creative cuisine. They are perfect for river views, dates, or business meals.
  • Cocina19: A Spanish restaurant near 外滩 (The Bund), offering classic desserts like Basque cheesecake.
  • 知汝食堂: Known for "pretty plating" in the city center, with exquisite dishes and mid-to-high price range, ideal for visitors who want to take photos and check in.
  • Brunch spots along the street near 新天地 (Xintiandi) (names not specified): Close to 新天地 (Xintiandi), offering seafood and meat platters, tomato beef pizza, salmon eggs Benedict, carbonara cream pasta, etc. Window seats overlook the plane trees, making it perfect for weekend brunch and afternoon tea.

• Thai Cuisine

  • 富贵椰 Thai Bistro & Eatery, 泰珍荟 Siam Memory: Specializing in Thai curry, Tom Yum soup, and more, with cozy environments suitable for small gatherings.
  • Around 张园 (Zhangyuan) and 丰盛里 (Fengshengli), there are also high-quality Thai restaurants (names not specified), serving dishes like oyster and shrimp towers, yellow curry oxtail stew, green curry chicken, great for pairing with cocktails.

• Korean Cuisine

  • PADO: Known as the "favorite of the year" Korean restaurant, perfect for those craving authentic Korean BBQ and bar snacks.
  • Mokpo 木浦: Located near 静安寺 (Jing'an Temple), run by Koreans, offering BBQ, fried chicken, jajangmyeon (black bean noodles), seaweed rice balls, stir-fried vegetables, etc. The dessert Korean taiyaki with ice cream is a standout.
  • 清进洞米肠汤饭, 全州豆芽汤饭: Located around 韩国街 (Korean Street), serving authentic soondae soup (Korean blood sausage soup) and bean sprout soup with rice. The side dishes are homemade, and these places are popular among Koreans themselves.
  • ZARI 这里 Korean Bistro 韩食酒馆: Focuses on creative Korean dishes like black truffle jajangmyeon with a runny egg, great for drinks and gatherings.

• Japanese Cuisine

  • Maki house: Specializes in sushi, rolls, and other Japanese dishes, suitable for light meals and small groups.

• Others

  • 纽约贝果博物馆 (New York Bagel Museum): Offers a wide variety of bagels, with popular flavors like red bean butter and blueberry cream cheese, perfect for breakfast or a quick snack.
  • pie bird: A dessert shop focusing on pies, such as osmanthus chestnut pie and snow raspberry pie, ideal for visitors who enjoy European-style sweets.
  • Cafés & random Western spots: Around 新天地 (Xintiandi), 南京西路 (West Nanjing Road), 外滩 (The Bund), and 张园 (Zhangyuan), there are numerous Western-style cafés and bars. Walking into any one of them usually means you can enjoy good salads, pasta, burgers, and more.

---

---

To experience the authentic "local vibe" of Shanghai, be sure to visit the vegetable markets, snack streets, and night markets:

• City Center Snacks & ¥10 Eats

  • Around 人民广场 (People's Square):
    • 舒蔡记生煎菜饭 (Shu Cai Ji Shengjian Cai Fan): A combo of pan-fried buns and vegetable rice, filling for just around ¥10 per person.
    • 池嬢拌粉 (人民广场店) (Chi Niang Mixed Rice Noodles, People's Square Branch): Mashed potato mixed with rice noodles, about ¥9.9 (~$1.40 USD); free refills of rice noodles and condiments, great for budget travelers.
    • 一口发·手作茶铺 (Yikoufa Handmade Tea Shop): Handmade milk tea for about ¥8 (~$1.15 USD), perfect for sipping on the go.
    • 东发道菠萝油 (Dong Fa Dao Pineapple Bun with Butter): Classic tea restaurant 东发道 (Dong Fa Dao) serves pineapple buns with a crispy crust and thick slices of cold butter; across the street are street snacks like 土家鲜肉饼 (Tujia Fresh Meat Pie) and 千里香馄钝 (Qianlixiang Wontons). You can try a variety of snacks for around ¥10 on this street.

• Traditional Morning Markets & Vegetable Markets

  • 徐汇嘉陵菜市场 (Jialing Market, Xuhui District)
    • Location: Intersection of Jialing Road and Baise Road, near residential areas in Xuhui District.
    • Highlights: Known as "Old Shanghai Carb Street," most breakfasts cost under ¥10.
    • Recommended Stalls:
      • 胡记生煎 (Hu Ji Shengjian): Freshly pan-fried buns, great with soy milk.
      • 上海蟹壳黄 (Shanghai Crab Shell Yellow Pastry): Baked sesame pastries available in both savory and sweet flavors.
      • 李氏鸡蛋饼 (Li’s Egg Pancake): Chinese egg pancakes with optional scallions, crispy toppings, or fried dough sticks.
      • 福建千里香馄钝面馆 (Fujian Qianlixiang Wonton Noodle Shop): Affordable small wontons and noodles.
      • 枫泾手工粽子 (Fengjing Handmade Sticky Rice Dumplings): Various handmade sticky rice dumplings.

• Snack Streets & Pedestrian Streets

  • 小上海步行街 (Xiao Shanghai Pedestrian Street, Zhoupu)
    • Location: Near Zhoupu in Pudong New Area, accessible via Metro Line 18 to Zhoupu Station (周浦站) or by bus routes 796, 1002, etc.; close to Zhoupu Wanda Plaza.
    • Highlights: Focuses on affordable snacks; ¥50 ($7 USD) is enough for two people to eat well, ¥100 ($14 USD) for a great meal. Mix of small local shops, street stalls, and chain brands.
    • Recommendations: Xiangpai Pastries, Xi’an No.5 (hand-pulled noodles), Gaoya Line, Xuzhou Vegetable Pancakes, Guangdong Rice Rolls, Xianfeng Fried Noodles, Jintong Beer Chicken, Mixue Bingcheng (popular milk tea chain), and more.
  • 豫园步行街 (Yuyuan Pedestrian Street)
    • Location: Inside and around the Yuyuan Garden (豫园) scenic area, one of the most tourist-concentrated traditional streets.
    • Highlights: Numerous snack stalls and long-established dim sum shops line the street, allowing you to enjoy soup dumplings, xiaolongbao, candied hawthorn sticks, and more while admiring the classical architecture.

• Night Markets

  • 泗泾夜市 (Sijing Night Market)
    • Hours: Approximately 17:00–24:00.
    • Location: Inside Sanxiang Commercial Plaza, No. 2 Sibao Road, Songjiang District, right outside Metro Line 9 Sijing Station (泗泾站).
    • Highlights: Nearly 100 stalls, strong open-air night market atmosphere; you can eat your fill for just a few dozen yuan per person.
    • Recommended: Brown sugar iced glutinous rice balls, coconut milk herbal jelly, cheese durian pancakes, grilled oysters, cheese turkey noodles with grilled cold noodles, grilled sweet potato skins, and more.
  • 周浦夜市 (Zhoupu Night Market)
    • Hours: Afternoon until about 21:00.
    • Location: No. 1626 Kangshen Road, Pudong New Area.
    • Highlights: A food street transformed from old alleys, offering hundreds of snacks; great for strolling, eating, and playing small games.
  • 大学路夜市 (Daxue Road Night Market)
    • Hours: Saturdays and Sundays, 11:00–21:00.
    • Location: Intersection of Daxue Road and Zhixin Road, Yangpu District.
    • Highlights: Combines food, cocktails, and street performances with a strong artistic vibe, popular with young people.
  • 罗南夜市 (Luonan Night Market)
    • Hours: 19:00–2:00.
    • Location: No. 6598 Hutai Highway, Baoshan District.
    • Highlights: Nationwide snacks like Northeast-style rice packs and Guizhou sticky rice; about ¥30 (~$4.30 USD) per person.
  • 彭浦幸福夜市 (Pengpu Xingfu Night Market)
    • Hours: 16:00–24:00.
    • Location: No. 2018 Changzhong Road, Zhongjian Xingfu Space, Jing’an District.
    • Highlights: Spicy small seafood, Quzhou duck heads, bursting egg waffles, perfect for late-night snacks.
  • 康桥上南路夜市 (Kangqiao Shangnan Road Night Market)
    • Hours: 16:00–24:00.
    • Location: No. 6717 Shangnan Road, Pudong New Area.
    • Highlights: About 50 stalls, ideal for Pudong residents or visitors looking for late-night bites.

---

---

Shanghai is packed with coffee shops and dessert places, perfect for citywalking while “recharging your sugar”:

• Classic & Gift Desserts

  • Shen Da Cheng (沈大成): A time-honored pastry shop known for glutinous rice snacks like double-filled glutinous rice balls, pine pollen golden cakes, strip cakes, red bean green rice balls, and salted egg yolk pork floss green rice balls—great as souvenirs.
  • Zhen Lao Da Fang (真老大房): Savory pork mooncakes with a flaky crust and juicy filling, a local favorite snack.
  • Shanghai Harbin Food Factory (上海哈尔滨食品厂): Local-style Western pastries such as butterfly pastries, almond chocolate Venus cakes, Sachima (Chinese rice cakes), salted egg yolk pastries, and cookie sticks—ideal for visitors who enjoy retro-style baking.
  • International Hotel Butterfly Pastry (国际饭店蝴蝶酥): Located at 830 East Nanjing Road (南京东路830号), these butter-rich, melt-in-your-mouth pastries are a must-buy classic souvenir in Shanghai.
  • Kaisiling (凯司令): A long-established Western-style bakery offering Napoleon cakes, cream cakes, and other pastries with a strong “Haipai” (Shanghai-style) flair.

• Specialty Desserts & Ice Treats

  • Li Bai Xie · Crab Roe Noodles · Linjiang Restaurant (外滩·豫园店): Creative Chinese desserts like strawberry mochi ice, taro mochi, and green rice ball iced tofu pudding, perfect for cutting through the richness after enjoying crab roe noodles.
  • Pie Bird: European-style pies such as osmanthus chestnut pie and snowy raspberry pie, with light cream and non-greasy flavors.
  • New York Bagel Museum: Bagels paired with fillings like red bean butter and blueberry cream cheese, suitable for both breakfast and dessert.
  • Yikoufa Handmade Tea Shop (一口发·手作茶铺): Handmade milk teas and brûlée-flavored drinks at affordable prices, great for grabbing a cup while shopping near People’s Square (人民广场).
  • Night markets like Sijing Night Market (泗泾夜市) and Zhoupu Night Market (周浦夜市) offer local desserts such as brown sugar iced glutinous rice balls, coconut milk qingbuliang (a refreshing dessert), and fruit stir-fried ice—excellent spots to experience authentic local sweets.

• Coffee Shop Clusters

  • Xintiandi (新天地): Streets lined with many photogenic coffee shops and dessert places (including the brunch spots mentioned earlier, offering soufflés, mushroom puddings, and summer specialty drinks), perfect for photos and a leisurely afternoon tea.
  • Around The Bund (外滩), West Nanjing Road (南京西路), and Zhangyuan (张园): Numerous specialty coffee shops and French patisseries—walking into almost any one of them is usually a safe bet.

---

---

• How to order

  • Most mall restaurants and chain stores offer partial English menus or picture menus, so you can simply point to the pictures to order.
  • It’s recommended to prepare screenshots of common Chinese phrases on your phone, such as “不要辣” (no spicy), “少糖” (less sugar), “不要花生” (no peanuts), and show them to the waiter when ordering.
  • In popular tourist areas like 外滩 (The Bund), 南京东路 (Nanjing East Road), and 新天地 (Xintiandi), waiters usually understand simple English phrases like “no spicy,” “less sugar,” and “no peanuts.”

• Useful phrases

  • “不要辣 / 少辣” (bú yào là / shǎo là) – no spicy / less spicy
  • “少糖 / 不要糖” (shǎo táng / bú yào táng) – less sugar / no sugar
  • “不要花生 / 不要坚果” (bú yào huāshēng / bú yào jiānguǒ) – no peanuts / no nuts
  • “我不吃猪肉” (wǒ bù chī zhūròu) – I don’t eat pork
  • “我对XX过敏” (wǒ duì XX guòmǐn) – I’m allergic to XX

• Dietary restrictions: Halal / Vegetarian

  • Halal: You can search for “清真” or “清真餐厅” (Halal restaurants) on map apps. Near 大学路 (Daxue Road), 人民广场 (People’s Square), and large malls, you can usually find Halal Lanzhou noodles or Xinjiang restaurants. When ordering, you can ask “清真吗？” (qīngzhēn ma) to confirm if the food is Halal.
  • Vegetarian: Shanghai has many vegetarian restaurants, especially near temples like 静安寺 (Jing’an Temple) and 玉佛寺 (Jade Buddha Temple). Regular restaurants also offer vegetarian dishes such as greens, tofu, and vegetarian noodles; just say “不要肉” (bú yào ròu) to indicate no meat.
  • Allergies: If you are allergic to peanuts, nuts, or seafood, prepare a written note in Chinese saying “我对花生/海鲜过敏，请不要放” (I’m allergic to peanuts/seafood, please don’t add), and show it to the waiter when ordering. Avoid unmarked street stalls as much as possible.

• Payment

  • The main payment methods are WeChat Pay (微信支付) and Alipay (支付宝); most merchants also accept Chinese bank cards.
  • Many tourist spots and mall restaurants now support WeChat/Alipay linked to foreign bank cards, so it’s recommended to set this up before your trip.
  • Cash (RMB) is still accepted at traditional shops, markets, and night markets, but some small stalls prefer QR code payments. It’s advisable to carry a small amount of cash just in case scanning is inconvenient.

• Price ranges per person

  • Street snacks / night markets: about ¥10–40 per person (e.g., breakfast at 徐汇嘉陵菜市场 (Xuhui Jialing Market), 泗泾夜市 (Sijing Night Market), 周浦夜市 (Zhoupu Night Market)).
  • Local small eateries / noodle shops: about ¥30–80 per person (e.g., 大壶春生煎 (Da Hu Chun Shengjian), 鲜得来排骨年糕 (Xian De Lai Spare Ribs with Rice Cake), 沪西老弄堂面馆 (Hu Xi Old Alley Noodle Shop), 舒蔡记生煎菜饭 (Shu Cai Ji Shengjian Vegetable Rice)).
  • Mall restaurants / hot pot / skewers: about ¥80–200 per person (e.g., 鸿姐老火锅 (Hong Jie Old Hot Pot), 归蜀第成都串串 (Gui Shu Di Chengdu Skewers), 嗲嗲的椰子鸡 (Dia Dia’s Coconut Chicken), 太琼糟粕醋 (Tai Qiong Zao Po Vinegar)).
  • High-end Chinese / Western restaurants: about ¥300–800 per person or more (e.g., 福1088 (Fu 1088), 晟永兴 (Sheng Yong Xing), 成隆行 (Cheng Long Hang), Mercato by Jean-Georges, THE NEST).

• Delivery apps

  • The main delivery platforms are Meituan (美团) and Ele.me (饿了么); their interfaces are mainly in Chinese, though some support simple English.
  • Most hotel front desks can assist with ordering, or you can ask a Chinese-speaking friend or tour guide to help order delivery to the hotel lobby.

• Food safety & hygiene

  • Formal mall restaurants, chain stores, and established brands generally maintain high hygiene standards, suitable for travelers with strict cleanliness requirements.
  • Night markets and street stalls have more of a “local flavor,” but it’s recommended to choose stalls with long queues, fast turnover, and clean operations (e.g., frequently changing gloves, tidy stalls). Avoid seafood and cold dishes that have been exposed for a long time.
  • In summer, try to avoid drinking unsealed iced drinks; opt for bottled water or freshly made beverages. If you have a sensitive stomach, start your trip with mall restaurants or local eateries before gradually trying stronger flavors or street snacks.

As long as you know these areas and restaurant names, you can slowly citywalk between 外滩 (The Bund), 南京东路 (Nanjing East Road), 人民广场 (People’s Square), 新天地 (Xintiandi), 长寿路 (Changshou Road), 徐汇 (Xuhui), and 浦东 (Pudong), and in just a few days, taste the full flavor of 上海 (Shanghai).