Shanghai Local Cuisine and Restaurants

As an international metropolis and major port city, Shanghai is home to people from all over China and the world. Over time, Shanghai cuisine has absorbed the strengths of other regional cuisines, especially those of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, forming its own distinctive flavor. Commonly known as “Benbang cuisine（local-style cooking）, offering unique dishes such as xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), shengjian bao (pan-fried buns), red-braised pork belly, and drunken chicken. The vibrant food markets and t elegant heritage restaurants provide a rich culinary experience that reflects both its rich history and cosmopolitan flair.

What Famous Local Food to Eat

Top 1: Red-braised pork belly /红烧肉

Red-braised pork belly is a classic and iconic dish in Shanghai cuisine. Often considered the star of the table during Chinese New Year’s Eve dinners, it holds a special place in the hearts of locals. This dish perfectly embodies the hallmark of Shanghai cooking—rich sauces with deep flavors and a glossy finish. Made with pork belly, soy sauce, cooking wine, and sugar, it is known for its tender, melt-in-the-mouth texture. The flavor is rich but not greasy, savory yet slightly sweet, and never cloying. For many Shanghainese, the best part is pouring the thick, flavorful sauce over a bowl of steaming rice.

Recommended restaurants: Laojishi restaurant(老吉士酒家)

Top 2: Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings)/小笼包

Xiaolongbao are perhaps the most iconic of all Shanghai dishes and are considered both a local specialty and a beloved snack. These delicate dumplings feature a thin, tender skin that encases rich, flavorful broth and a savory filling, typically made with pork, vegetables, shrimp, or crab meat.

Eating xiaolongbao is an experience to be savored slowly. First, gently bite or poke a small hole in the top of the dumpling to let the steam escape and carefully sip the hot, delicious soup inside — the essence of the dish. Only then do you enjoy the full dumpling in one or two bites, appreciating its layered textures and rich taste.

Recommended restaurants: Din Tai Fung (鼎泰丰), Nanxiang Xiaolongbao (南翔小笼包), Jia Jia Tang Bao (佳家汤包).

Top 3: Shengjian bao (pan-fried pork buns) /生煎包

Shengjian bao (pan-fried pork buns) is one of Shanghai’s most famous traditional snacks, with a history of over a hundred years. These buns are pan-fried to golden perfection, with crispy bottoms and soft tops. Inside, the juicy pork filling is rich in flavor and slightly soupy. Sprinkled with sesame seeds and chopped scallions, releasing an irresistibly aromatic fragrance. The first bite unleashes a burst of piping-hot soup, making them a beloved culinary delight among locals and international visitors alike.

Recommended restaurants: Da Hu Chun (大壶春), Xiaoyan Shengjian (晓燕生煎), Dongtaixiang (东泰祥), Yang's Dumpling (Xiao Yang Shengjian 小杨生煎)

Top 4: Crab Roe Tofu (Xie Fen Dou Fu)/蟹粉豆腐

Crab Roe Tofu (Xie Fen Dou Fu), equally at home as a humble family supper or a star banquet offering, features succulent crab meat and silken tofu. Its name originates from the golden, powder-like hue of the rich crab roe that defines the dish. A signature dish in Michelin-starred restaurants today, it earned a prestigious spot on the "Asia's 50 Best Foods" list in 2023.

Recommended restaurants: Laozhengxin restaurants老正兴

Top 5: Crispy Stir-Fried River Shrimp/油爆虾

This classic Shanghai dish is made by deep-frying fresh river shrimp and then quickly stir-frying them to perfection. The finished dish features a glossy red sheen, with crispy shells and tender, succulent meat — a delightful combination of textures and flavors.

Recommended restaurants: Shanghai Old Restaurant (上海老饭店), Dexing Restaurant (德兴馆).

Top 6: Eight-Treasure Duck (Babao Duck)/八宝鸭

A signature dish of traditional Shanghainese banquets, Eight-Treasure Duck is a labor-intensive delicacy that showcases the richness of local cuisine. A whole duck is carefully deboned and stuffed with a savory glutinous rice mixture that includes eight “treasures” such as lotus seeds, ham, winter bamboo shoots, shiitake mushrooms, chestnuts, dried scallops, chicken, and more. It is then meticulously steamed until the meat becomes meltingly tender and the stuffing absorbs all the rich flavors. The result is a soft, flavorful dish with a unique balance of textures and a deeply satisfying taste.

Recommended restaurants: Shanghai Old Restaurant (上海老饭店), Guangmingcun Grand Restaurant (光明邨大酒家).

Top 7: Pork Chop with Rice Cakes /排骨年糕

This uniquely Shanghainese combination is a beloved local classic. The dish was first created in 1947 by the iconic Xiandelai Restaurant. It features thick, juicy pork chops fried to crispy perfection on the outside and tender on the inside, served alongside chewy, soft rice cakes (niangao). The highlight of the dish is its rich signature sauce made from soy sauce and caramelized sugar, which adds depth and a harmonious blend of sweetness and savoriness. This dish is a perfect harmony of textures and flavors and a must-try for anyone seeking the true taste of old Shanghai.

Recommended restaurants: Xiandelai鲜得来, Xiao Changzhou 小常州, Shanghai Old Restaurant 上海老饭店.

Top 8: Scallion Oil Noodles (Cong You Ban Mian)/葱油拌面

This humble yet flavorful noodle dish is a local favorite, especially for breakfast. It features springy wheat noodles tossed in fragrant scallion-infused oil, with the aroma of crispy green onions clinging to every strand. Simple as it may seem, the dish delivers a deep, comforting flavor that captures the essence of Shanghainese home-style cooking.

Once a street-side staple, scallion oil noodles have even earned a spot on the Michelin Plate. In modern adaptations, luxurious ingredients like truffle or crab roe are added to elevate the flavor while preserving its original charm.

Recommended restaurants: Old Local Noodle House (老地方面馆), Huxi Old Lane (沪西老弄堂), Weixiangzhai (味香斋), Chunhe Noodle House (春和面馆).

Top 9: Yanduxian /腌笃鲜

A hallmark of Shanghainese Benbang cuisine, Yan Du Xian is a seasonal favorite best enjoyed in spring. The name reveals the essence of the dish: “yan” refers to salted pork or ham, “du” means to simmer slowly, and “xian” highlights the use of fresh pork (usually belly or spareribs) and tender spring bamboo shoots.

All ingredients are gently simmered over low heat until the broth turns a creamy white. The result is a beautifully balanced soup where the rich umami of cured meat, the natural sweetness of fresh pork, and the crisp freshness of bamboo shoots meld into an unforgettable taste of spring.

Recommended restaurants: This dish is a seasonal staple on the spring menu at many traditional Benbang restaurants, including: Lanxin Restaurant (兰心餐厅), Lao Zhengxing Restaurant (老正兴菜馆), Shanghai Old Restaurant (上海老饭店), Yuan Garden Restaurant (圆苑).

Top 10: Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs (Tang Cu Xiao Pai)/糖醋小排

A beloved classic in Shanghainese cuisine, sweet and sour spare ribs are enjoyed by diners of all ages. Made with pork ribs that have just the right balance of fat and lean meat, the dish goes through multiple stages of preparation to achieve its signature deep red glaze and mouthwatering aroma.

The ribs are tender, flavorful, and coated in a glossy sauce that perfectly balances sweetness and tanginess. It is a must-try for anyone who loves bold, bright flavors.

Recommended restaurants: This is a staple on the menu at most Benbang (traditional Shanghainese) restaurants, including, Shanghai Old Restaurant (上海老饭店), Lvbolang Restaurant (绿波廊).

Shanghai Famous Snacks

1. Jiu Niang Yuan Zi (Glutinous Rice Balls in Fermented Rice Wine) A sweet dessert made with small glutinous rice balls cooked in mildly alcoholic fermented rice. Popular during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

2. Xie Ke Huang (Crab Shell Pastry): A golden, crispy pastry named for its crab shell-like appearance. Comes with sweet or savory fillings and is a popular local snack.

3. You Dun Zi (Deep-Fried Fritter): A street food made from batter filled with radish, scallions, pork, or sweet bean paste, then deep-fried. Crispy outside, tender inside.

4. Lei Sha Yuan (Sticky Rice Dumplings with Bean Powder): Soft glutinous rice balls filled with red bean paste or meat, rolled in fine red bean powder. Can be enjoyed warm or cold.

The Most Common Shanghai Breakfast

1. Xiao Huntun (Mini Pork Wontons): A comforting breakfast soup featuring delicate pork-filled wontons in a light broth topped with dried shrimp, pickled mustard, scallions, and cilantro.

2. Scallion Pancake (Cong You Bing): A crispy, savory flatbread made with local scallions and pork lard. Pan-fried and baked until golden, it’s a favorite street snack and breakfast item in old Shanghai.

3. Sticky Rice Roll (Nian Gao Tuan): Soft glutinous rice cakes filled with savory ingredients like pickled mustard greens, pork floss, and fried dough sticks. Chewy and flavorful.

4. Salty Soy Milk (Xian Dou Jiang): A warm savory soy milk soup mixed with fried dough, dried shrimp, seaweed, pickles, and scallions. A classic Shanghai breakfast pairing with youtiao (fried dough).

5. Scallion Oil Noodles (Cong You Ban Mian): Springy noodles tossed in aromatic scallion oil and soy sauce. Simple, fragrant, and deeply satisfying.

In addition to these local specialties, Shanghai is home to many different types of international cuisines, including Japanese, Korean, Western, and more.

Where to Try Typical Food

Where you can sample authentic local flavors? Recommend you can explore those famous food streets: Chenghuangmiao Old Street, Yunnan South Road Food Street, Wujiang Road Food Street, Qibao Old Street and Nanxiang Ancient Town. For those seeking heritage dining experiences, Huaihai Road’s time-honored restaurants are also excellent places to explore the rich variety of Shanghai cuisine.

Top 1: Shanghai Old Restaurant

Located next to the Yuyuan Garden scenic area, Shanghai Old Restaurant was originally known as Rongshun Pavilion and was founded in 1875. Specializing in authentic Benbang (local Shanghainese) cuisine, the restaurant is renowned for its refined ingredients and traditional flavors. The building itself features classic Ming and Qing-style architecture, with upturned eaves and decorative rooflines. Over the years, it has welcomed numerous national leaders and distinguished guests, making it a culinary landmark in the city.

• Recommended: Crispy Stir-Fried River Shrimp, Eight-Treasure Duck, Spicy Eight-Treasure Sauce, Smoked Fish, Crab Roe Tofu Stir-Fried, Eel Slices Sweet and Sour Mandarin Fish.
• Operating Hours: 11:00-14:00；17:00-20:00
• Tel：021-63552275
• Address: No. 242, Fuyou Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai

Top 2：Lao Zhengxing Restaurant/ 老正兴菜馆

With a history of over 100 years, Lao Zhengxing is one of Shanghai’s most renowned restaurants specializing in traditional Benbang (local Shanghainese) cuisine. Many of its classic dishes have won culinary awards over the decades. The restaurant retains the charm of an old-style Chinese dining hall, featuring grand, elegant décor with a nostalgic atmosphere. Conveniently located near People’s Square and the Bund, it is an ideal place for anyone looking to savor authentic Shanghainese flavors.

• Recommended: stir-fried pig intestine with shepherd’s purse, crispy stir-fried river shrimp, braised pork belly, glutinous rice balls in fermented rice wine, pan-fried crab roe lion’s head meatballs, eight-treasure duck, and pan-fried soup buns.
• Operating Hours: 17:00-21:00
• Tel：021-63222624
• Address: 556 Fuzhou Road (near Zhejiang Middle Road), Nanjing East Road Subdistrict, Shanghai

Top 3: Lvbolang Restaurant/绿波廊

Lvbolang is one of Shanghai’s iconic restaurants, located beside the Nine-Turn Bridge in the Old City God Temple area. Renowned both domestically and internationally, it has hosted numerous world leaders and distinguished guests. The restaurant primarily serves traditional Shanghai and Jiangsu-Zhejiang cuisine.

• Recommended: Crystal shrimp, Eight-Treasure Duck, crab roe tofu, crispy stir-fried river shrimp, braised duck tongue in sauce, crab roe soup dumplings, and eyebrow pastry.
• Operating Hours: 11:00-14:00；17:00-20:00
• Tel：021-63280602
• Address: No. 115 Yuyuan Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai

Top 4: Xianqiangfang (Hongqiao Branch)/ 鲜墙坊（虹桥店）

Xianqiangfang is housed in a charming British-style villa located alongside the elevated Hongqiao Road. Covering over 3,000 square meters, the restaurant offers a spacious and comfortable dining environment. Inside, the elegant and luxurious décor evokes a sense of nostalgia, with antique-style wooden cabinets and staircases, red palace lanterns, square tables, and long wooden benches that transport guests back to old Shanghai.

• Recommended: braised pork belly, stir-fried shrimp, crab roe tofu, pine nut mandarin fish, jujube paste cake, and glutinous rice balls in fermented rice wine.
• Operating Hours: 11:00-14:00，17:00-22:00
• Tel：021-62951717
• Address: No. 1468, Hongqiao Road, Changning District, Shanghai

Top 5: Din Tai Fung (Xintiandi, Shanghai) /鼎泰丰(上海新天地店)

While authentic Shanghai-style xiaolongbao can be found at Nanxiang Mantou Dian, the famous Taiwanese restaurant Din Tai Fung is also well known for its xiaolongbao. In 1993, Din Tai Fung was named one of the “Top Ten Restaurants in the World” by The New York Times. Many tourists, both domestic and international, make a special trip to Taiwan just to savor their famous soup dumplings.

• Recommended: xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), crab roe xiaolongbao, vegetable and pork steamed dumplings, shrimp steamed dumplings, shrimp shaomai, and glutinous rice shaomai.
• Operating Hours: 10:30-15:00 17:00-21:30
• Tel：021-68776886
• Address: Din Tai Fung (Xintiandi, Shanghai): No. 168, Fangbang Middle Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai.
• Din Tai Fung (IFC Mall / Lujiazui Branch): Floor 3, Shanghai IFC Mall, 168 Lujiazui West Rd, Pudong New District

Top 6: Xiangye Mansion Teahouse/相爷府茶楼

Located next to Yuyuan Garden, Xiangye Mansion Teahouse spans over 2,000 square meters and offers a refined blend of tea culture, traditional cuisine, and Chinese opera. The interior features classic Chinese décor, with elegant and nostalgic touches throughout.

The fifth floor houses a spacious banquet hall, while the private dining rooms on the sixth floor come with balconies offering scenic views of the Huangpu River and Yuyuan Garden. The fourth-floor teahouse is an ideal setting for enjoying tea with friends while listening to live performances of traditional storytelling and cross talk (xiangsheng). Performances take place every afternoon and evening and require advance reservation.

• Recommended: Signature dishes include braised pork belly, poached chicken, Shanghai-style smoked fish, crab roe tofu, and stir-fried green peppers in tiger-skin style.
• Operating Hours: 9:00-19:00
• Tel：021-58777797
• Address: No. 4-5-6, 4th Floor, Yu'an Pavilion, Fangbang Middle Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai

Top 7: M on the Bund/米氏西餐厅

M on the Bund has earned wide acclaim for its prime location and refined Western cuisine. Since its opening in early 1999, the restaurant has welcomed numerous prominent guests, including the Queen of the Netherlands, the Queen of Thailand, the Prime Minister of Denmark, and Chinese film star Gong Li. It was also named one of the world's 100 best restaurants by the international culinary magazine Condé Nast Traveler.

• Recommended: braised pork belly, poached chicken, Shanghai-style smoked fish, crab roe tofu, and stir-fried green peppers in tiger-skin style.
• Operating Hours: 11:30-22:30
• Tel：021-63509988
• Address: 7th Floor, The Bund No. 5, No. 20 Guangdong Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai

In addition to its traditional Benbang (local Shanghainese) restaurants, Shanghai is a true culinary melting pot, offering an incredible variety of cuisine from across China and around the world. From international restaurants and Michelin-starred establishments to high-end Western fine dining like M on the Bund, Japanese sushi bars, and Indian favorites such as Masala Art Indian Cuisine, the city has it all. You'll also find vegetarian institutions like Gongdelin Vegetarian Restaurant and numerous halal restaurants, making Shanghai a paradise for food lovers of all tastes and preferences.

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