Must-Try Foods In Shanghai (China) For Tourists 2026 - 2027

Food History of Shanghai, China

Shanghai's culinary history is a tapestry woven with the diverse strands of its inhabitants' regional cooking traditions, as well as international influences from its past as a colonial port city. Historically, Shanghai was seen as the melting pot of Chinese cuisine, where the flavors of the surrounding Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces converge. This melting pot came to be known for its unique style called Haipai (Shanghai-style) cuisine, which emphasizes freshness, seasonality, and a balance of flavors. The complex layers of the city's food culture also incorporate elements from Cantonese, Sichuan, and Hunan cuisines, reflecting the backgrounds of different waves of immigrants. Additionally, the presence of French, British, and other colonial powers in the past introduced Western ingredients and cooking techniques, contributing to a fascinating fusion of east and west, traditional and modern. Shanghai's cusine is known for its slightly sweet flavor and the frequent use of alcohol for flavor enhancement.

Must-Try Top 10 Food Dishes in Shanghai for Tourists

1. Shengjianbao (Pan-fried soup dumplings) - Non-Veg
2. Xiaolongbao (Soup dumplings) - Non-Veg
3. Shanghai Hairy Crab (Seasonal delicacy) - Non-Veg
4. Scallion Oil Noodles (Cong You Ban Mian) - Veg
5. Vegetarian Mock Duck (Su Ya) - Veg
6. Beggar's Chicken (Jiao Hua Ji) - Non-Veg
7. Yellow Croaker Noodle Soup - Non-Veg
8. Stir-Fried River Shrimp - Non-Veg
9. Stinky Tofu (Chou Doufu) - Veg
10. Shanghai Stir-Fried Noodles - Available in Veg and Non-Veg options

Top Famous Restaurants in Shanghai with Address and Their Famous Food

• Jia Jia Tang Bao
  Address: 90 Huanghe Road, Shanghai
  Famous for: Xiaolongbao (Non-Veg)
• Fuchun Xiaolong
  Address: 650 Yuyuan Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai
  Famous for: Shengjianbao (Non-Veg)
• Wujie on the Bund
  Address: 4th Floor, 22 Zhongshan East 2nd Rd, Huangpu District, Shanghai
  Famous for: Fusion Vegetarian cuisine (Veg)
• Lost Heaven
  Address: 38 Gaoyou Road, French Concession, Shanghai
  Famous for: Yunnan Folk Cuisine, suitable for Vegetarian options available
• Lü Bo Lang
  Address: 115 Yuyuan Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai
  Famous for: Shanghai Hairy Crab (Non-Veg) during crab season
• Yang's Dumplings
  Address: Multiple locations
  Famous for: Shengjianbao (Non-Veg)
• Hai Di Lao Hot Pot
  Address: Multiple locations
  Famous for: Hot Pot with both Veg and Non-Veg options
• Godly
  Address: 445 Nanjing West Road, Shanghai
  Famous for: Vegetarian Mock Duck (Veg)
• Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant
  Address: City God Temple precinct, Huangpu District, Shanghai
  Famous for: Xiaolongbao (Non-Veg)
• Din Tai Fung
  Address: Multiple locations, including a branch at Shanghai World Financial Center
  Famous for: Xiaolongbao (Non-Veg)