Shanghai food: 10 Best dishes to try and where to find them

Shanghai cuisine is known for its blend of salty, sweet, and rich flavors, resulting from the generous use of soy sauce, rice wine, and sugar. Dishes from Shanghai are hearty and satisfying, a true reflection of the city’s rich culinary heritage. Thinking about how to plan a trip to China that’s focused on the best Chinese dishes? Below, we’ve curated a list of tasty traditional cuisine and the best Shanghai food spots. 

Whether you’re craving some authentic street food or a luxurious dining experience, let us guide you through the incredible range of dishes you can expect to find. Plus, we show you how a Holafly travel eSIM can help you explore Shanghai’s best-known eateries.

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Best savory food in Shanghai

Main meals in Shanghai are a delightful mix of sweet and savory. With the amount of mouth-watering savory Shanghai dishes on offer, the choice can be overwhelming. To help you decide at your next restaurant, street food stall, or takeaway, here are some of the best picks:

1. Xiao long bao (soup dumplings)

These delicate, steaming dumplings are a staple Shanghai dish. Shanghai soup dumplings are thin-skinned parcels, traditionally filled with tender minced pork and a gelatinized broth that melts into a soup when steamed. The trick is to carefully pick one up, take a small bite to slurp the savory broth, and then enjoy the tender meat filling. Xiao Long Bao is a must-try when exploring what to eat in Shanghai.

2. Sheng jian bao (pan-fried pork buns)

Shanghai ranks high among the best places to visit in China — and tasting authentic sheng jian bao is a big reason why.. Enjoy the contrast of textures in these pan-fried pork buns, or sheng jian bao. A crispy, golden-brown bottom, a soft and fluffy top, and a juicy pork filling make a gorgeous and tasty blend. These pan-fried buns are a popular Shanghai street food item and a staple breakfast choice of residents. Hot dipping them in soy or spicier sauces adds a little zest and saltiness to the dish.

3. Hongshao rou (braised pork belly)

This classic and delicious Shanghainese dish has melt-in-your-mouth pork belly slow-braised in a rich, savory-sweet sauce. It mixes sweet and sour flavors, which is very common in the major cuisines of this region. The sauce, often made with soy sauce, rock sugar, Shaoxing wine, and spices, gives the pork its characteristic glossy, red-sauce color. When cooked, the fat melts to a tender and almost gelatinous texture, making it flavorful and rich. It’s the perfect example of traditional Shanghai cuisine.

4. Cong you ban mian (scallion oil noodles)

Simple yet super flavorful, cong you ban mian is a hot and spicy noodle dish tossed in a fragrant scallion oil and soy sauce mixture. The scallions are slowly stir-fried until crispy and aromatic, infusing the oil with a distinct sweetness. This humble dish showcases how basic ingredients can create big flavors in Shanghai food.

5. Xiaolongxia (spicy crayfish)

Xiaolongxia (spicy crayfish) is a social, seasonal dish. Eaten at special gatherings from May to July, it makes summer one of the best times to visit China if you’re looking to combine Shanghai food with cultural experiences. These freshwater crayfish are cooked in a fiery, aromatic soup with chilies, garlic, and spices. Eating them is a hands-on experience, involving peeling the shells and tasting the tender, spicy meat. It’s a communal part of modern Shanghai cuisine and an authentic culinary experience.

Indulge in fresh crab roe and meat flavors, especially during the hairy crab season in the fall. Hairy crab is a delicacy inShanghai cuisine, known for its rich roe and sweet crab meat. Crab roe noodles offer a generous portion of golden crab roe tossed with springy, long noodles, creating a decadent and distinct dish.

7. Cifantuan (rice roll)

Start your day like a local with cifantuan, an on-the-go breakfast staple among Shanghai residents. This sticky rice roll is filled with different ingredients, often including fried dough sticks (youtiao), tangy pickled vegetables, pork floss, and a hard-boiled egg. It’s a portable way to kick off your day with authentic Shanghai food and eat as you sightsee!

Best sweet food in Shanghai

Shanghai sweet food often features glutinous rice, different types of paste, and fruits. Local sweet food is a nice contrast to the city’s more salty and zesty specialties. These treats are perfect for capping off a meal or enjoying as a snack. Here are some examples of dishes to try:

8. Tangyuan (sweet rice balls)

Tangyuan are soft, chewy rice balls with sweet fillings, a traditional and comforting dessert. They are typically made from glutinous rice flour and filled with black sesame paste, red bean paste, or peanut paste. They are usually served in a hot, lightly sweetened broth, often during festivals, but they’re available year-round. Tangyuan is a nice and sweet end to any Shanghainese food experience.

9. White rabbit creamy candy

A nostalgic and iconic Shanghai sweet treat, white rabbit candy is a creamy, milky candy wrapped in edible rice paper. This chewy confection originated in Shanghai in the 1940s and has become a beloved treat across China and beyond. It’s a simple yet delicious part of the city’s sweet culinary history.

10. Longjing tea (dragon well tea)

While not a dish, Longjing tea (Dragon Well tea) is a highly regarded green tea often enjoyed in Shanghai and represents an important part of Chinese culture. Known for its delicate aroma, slightly sweet taste, and flat, jade-green leaves, it’s one of China’s most famous teas. Enjoying a cup of Longjing tea is a tranquil experience, often served with a meal or as a refreshing break, complementing any Shanghai cuisine experience.

Best Shanghai street food spots

Looking for the best places to try some of this amazing Shanghai food? Here are some street food spots and areas known for their vibrant culinary scene:

• Wukang Road/Anfu Road area (武康路/安福路): Known for its trendy cafes and bakeries, Anfu Road features smaller shops offering traditional Shanghainese snacks and pastries. Great for exploring different types of Shanghai food.
• Tianzifang (田子坊): A maze of old Shikumen houses converted into shops and eateries. You’ll find street food stalls with local favorites like sheng jian bao and skewers, making for a perfect self-explore Shanghai food tour.
• Qibao Ancient Town (七宝古镇): Ancient Town is slightly outside the city center, but it offers a charming historical atmosphere with numerous street food vendors specializing in local snacks like tangyuan, stinky tofu, and roasted sweet potatoes.
• People’s Square food stalls (人民广场): While not a designated “street food street,” the area around People’s Square has small food stalls and hole-in-the-wall eateries serving up quick bites and classic Shanghainese food.
• Jingan Temple area (静安寺): Beyond its iconic temple, this area is surrounded by many of the best restaurants in Shanghai, from high-end dining to more casual restaurants where you can find excellent examples of the diversity of Shanghai cuisine.

Find the best Shanghainese food in person with Holafly

Unsure where to find the best local Shanghai food? Get an eSIM for Shanghai for easy mobile internet access in China. Planning to travel around the country? The eSIM for China is the way to go! 

You can use Holafly eSIMs to find the best food spots on Google Maps or Trip Advisor, instead of having to buy a physical China SIM card.

Having a reliable way to stay connected makes taking on activities like a self-guided food tour, much easier. All plans include unlimited data and 24/7 customer support in multiple languages, ensuring the best experience possible. 

You’re sure to remain connected in Shanghai with Holafly!

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Rebeca Ortiz

I’m a communications professional with over 17 years of experience in the social justice sector. Eight years ago, I started working as a freelance content writer and strategist. Over the course of my career, I’ve had the chance to work with a mix of social enterprises, NGOs, government agencies, and corporate clients. I have lived and worked in Australia, Austria, Mexico, and Indonesia. I love crafting content that resonates across cultures and tells a meaningful story.

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