Shanghai cuisine

  • Lei Sha Yuan: Shanghai’s Portable “Dry” Tangyuan With a Century of History

    In Shanghai’s bustling Old City, few snacks carry the warmth of nostalgia quite like Lei Sha Yuan (擂沙圆) – a delightful twist on the classic tangyuan (glutinous rice dumplings) that has been satisfying local sweet tooths for over 70 years. Often described as a “dry” tangyuan, this traditional treat offers all the chewy, soft…

  • Shanghai’s Legendary Five-Spice Beans

    For generations of Shanghainese, the taste of Old City God Temple (Chenghuang Miao) five-spice beans brings back a flood of childhood memories. As a classic Shanghai delicacy, these humble beans have a special place in the hearts of locals. Older residents who once lived in Shanghai’s narrow lòngtáng (alleyways) joke that the beans are…

  • Spring Onion Oil Noodle

    In the bustling heart of Shanghai’s Old City God Temple (Chenghuang Miao), a humble bowl of noodles has been captivating palates for over a century. Known as kaiyang congyou mian (开洋葱油面) – spring onion oil noodle with dried shrimp – this seemingly simple dish is a masterpiece of balance, fragrance, and texture. With its…

  • Oil Tofu Noodle Soup: Shanghai’s Soulful “Wet Snack” Companion

    In Shanghai, you don’t just eat your snacks – you drink them. While the city is famous for its sizzling shengjian buns and delicate xiaolongbao soup dumplings, locals know that these “dry snacks” (干点) are best accompanied by something liquid. Enter oil tofu noodle soup (油豆腐线粉汤) – the humble, steaming bowl of broth that…

  • Nanxiang Xiaolongbao

    In the bustling heart of Shanghai, at the foot of the iconic Nine-Turn Bridge in Yuyuan Garden(上海豫园九曲桥畔), a line of customers snakes through the ancient alleyways from dawn till dusk. They’re waiting for one thing: Nanxiang xiaolongbao (南翔小笼包) – the legendary soup dumpling that has captivated taste buds for over 150 years. Often dubbed…

  • Shengjian Mantou: Pan-fried Steamed Bun

    In the labyrinth of Shanghai’s lanes and alleyways, few smells are as intoxicating as the aroma of shengjian mantou – pan-fried pork buns – fresh off the griddle. For over a century, this humble snack has been the city’s breakfast of champions, its late-night craving, and its culinary soul. It’s a food that bridges…