Shanghai Food Guide
Skip the tourist traps and discover authentic Shanghai cuisine. Here are the dishes and restaurants that locals actually love.
Top 5 Must-Try Shanghai Foods
Xiaolongbao
EssentialSoup Dumplings
Shanghai's signature dish! Delicate thin skin filled with juicy pork and hot broth. Lift carefully with chopsticks, nibble the side, sip the soup, then eat.
Lamb Skewers
Visitor FavoriteYang Rou Chuan
Perfect with Tsingtao beer! The cumin and chili seasoning is addictive. Shouning Road is famous for its lamb skewer street, but local chains are great too.
Haidilao Hot Pot
Free ServicesHai Di Lao Huo Guo
Famous for legendary service - free snacks, nail painting, and shoe shining while you wait! DIY sauce bar, noodle-pulling shows, and endless refills.
Sheng Jian Bao
Pan-Fried Pork Buns
Crispy bottom, fluffy top - a perfect harmony of textures. A favorite breakfast food among locals. Usually comes 4 to an order.
Hong Shao Rou
Red-Braised Pork Belly
Melt-in-your-mouth pork belly braised in soy sauce and sugar. Rich, sweet, and savory - perfect over steamed rice.
Mala Crayfish
Ma La Xiao Long Xia
Summer seasonal specialty! Spicy numbing crayfish cooked in mala sauce. Fun to peel and eat with friends. Best enjoyed with cold beer.
Restaurants by Neighborhood
Yuyuan Garden Area
Traditional food & tourist attractions
Nanxiang Mantou Dian
The original xiaolongbao restaurant since 1900
Lu Bo Lang
Historic restaurant that hosted state banquets
Nanjing Road & The Bund
Shopping district & waterfront dining
Din Tai Fung
Michelin-starred xiaolongbao, consistently excellent
Yang's Dumplings
Crispy sheng jian bao chain, very accessible
French Concession (Wukang Road, Xintiandi)
Trendy cafes & upscale restaurants
Jesse Restaurant
Legendary home-style Shanghai cooking, always packed
% Arabica
Instagram-famous coffee shop on Wukang Road
Night Markets & Street Food
Authentic local atmosphere
Shouning Road Lamb Skewer Street
The holy grail for lamb skewer lovers! Pair with Tsingtao beer.
Wujiang Road Food Street
Variety of regional Chinese cuisines in one spot
Haidilao Pro Tips
Everything you didn't know about Haidilao's legendary service
Waiting Free While You Wait
- * Free fruit (watermelon, grapes, etc.)
- * Free drinks and popcorn
- * Free nail painting (ladies)
- * Free shoe shining (gentlemen)
- * Free massage chairs
- * Kids' play area
Dining During Your Meal
- * Request the noodle-pulling performance
- * Unlimited DIY sauce bar
- * Hair ties, aprons, phone bags provided
- * Birthday celebration with staff singing
- * Free ice cream
- * Teddy bear companion for solo diners
Pro Tips
- * Book ahead: Weekend dinner waits can be 1-2+ hours
- * Go for weekday lunch: Almost no wait + lunch set deals
- * Sauce bar combo: Sesame oil + garlic + cilantro + oyster sauce
- * Locations: Dozens throughout Shanghai, most near metro stations
Warning: Tourist Traps to Avoid
Yuyuan Area Aggressive Hawkers
Anyone saying "Hello friend! Delicious food!" is usually overpriced. Look for restaurants where locals are lining up, or stick to established chains.
Nanjing Road Upper Floor Restaurants
Second-floor restaurants in shopping buildings often charge premium prices for mediocre food. Better to explore side streets or find metro-adjacent chain restaurants.
"Tea Ceremony" Scam
Be wary of friendly strangers inviting you to "try tea together." This is a notorious scam where you end up with a bill for hundreds of dollars.
Always Check Menu Prices
Confirm prices before ordering, especially for seafood (often listed as "market price"). Take a photo of the menu as reference.
Helpful Food Apps
Dianping
China's Yelp
Local reviews, photos, prices, and wait times. Links with WeChat for easy use. Search in English or Chinese.
Meituan
Delivery + Deals
Food delivery, restaurant reservations, and discount coupons. Great for ordering delivery to your hotel.
Xiaohongshu (RED)
China's Instagram
Trendy restaurants and photo spots. Search for "Shanghai food" for the latest popular places.
Ele.me
Alibaba Delivery
Alipay-linked delivery app. Late-night delivery available. Can also order convenience store items.
Useful Chinese Phrases for Restaurants
Ji wei? (How many people?)
Staff will ask you this
Liang wei (Two people)
Or just show fingers
Cai dan (Menu)
Asking for the menu
Zhe ge (This one)
Pointing at menu item
Bu yao la (Not spicy please)
Requesting no spice
Mai dan (Check please)
Ready to pay
Hao chi! (Delicious!)
Complimenting the food
Ready to Eat Your Way Through Shanghai!
Have you set up your payment apps? Many restaurants require Alipay or WeChat Pay.