Shanghai Food Guide
Shanghai cuisine leans mild and slightly sweet, a world away from the chili-forward cooking of Sichuan or Hunan. Local cooks favor soy-based braising, steaming, and slow simmering, techniques that build deep savory flavor and produce softer, more tender textures. For visitors who prefer less spice, Shanghai food is usually an easy adjustment, though some classic dishes run richer and sweeter than expected.
Must-Try Shanghai Dishes
Xiaolongbao
Thin-skinned dumplings filled with pork and hot broth, xiaolongbao are usually eaten by biting a small opening, sipping the soup, then dipping the rest in black vinegar and ginger.
Recommended Restaurants:
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Jia Jia Tang Bao: Freshly made dumplings with thin wrappers and a strong long-standing local reputation.
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Lai Lai Xiao Long · Qiao Ai : Bib Gourmand value, best known for its thin-skinned crab roe xiaolongbao.
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Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant: A century-old restaurant beside Yu Garden, convenient for sightseers.
Hong Shao Rou (Braised Pork Belly)
Pork belly slow-braised in soy sauce, sugar, and rice wine, hong shao rou has tender meat and soft, melting fat beneath a dark, glossy glaze. It is usually served with rice to balance its richness, and the Shanghai-style version is noticeably sweeter than many visitors may expect from a braised pork dish.
Recommended Restaurants:
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Old Jesse: A Michelin-listed Shanghainese restaurant known for its rich, tender, classic-style hong shao rou.
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Yuan Yuan: Red-braised pork is one of its long-standing signature dishes.
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Ren He Guan: Its red-braised pork is a signature order, prepared in limited quantities each day.
Sheng Jian Bao (Pan-Fried Pork Buns)
A yeasted bun filled with pork and broth, sheng jian bao is pan-fried until crisp on the bottom while the top stays soft and steamed. Like xiaolongbao, it contains hot soup, so the first bite should be taken carefully.
Recommended Restaurants:
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Da Hu Chun: Old-school, fully leavened buns with thick, fluffy tops and crisp bottom.
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Dong Tai Xiang: well-regarded Shanghai restaurant serving thin-skinned, soup-filled sheng jian bao.
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Yang’s Fried Dumplings: A widely available Shanghai chain serving crisp-bottomed, juicy pork buns.
Pai Gu Nian Gao (Pork Chop with Rice Cakes)
A deep-fried, bone-in pork chop paired with chewy rice cakes, pai gu nian gao is finished with a savory-sweet sauce that ties the two together. It's a traditional Shanghai dish, heartier and more filling than the other items on this list.
Recommended Restaurants:
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Xian De Lai : A century-old specialist in Shanghai-style pork chops with rice cakes.
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Nong Xiao De Pai Gu Nian Gao: A long-running specialist serving tender pork chops with thick, chewy rice cakes.
