As the culinary capital of China, Shanghai is not only a unique blend of tradition and modernity, but also has many authentic local dishes waiting for you to savour. Whether it's the classic crabmeat dish, or street food such as xiao long bao or sheng pan bao, you can feel the unique flavour of Shanghai in every bite.HIlls has selected a few restaurants for you to easily enjoy the authentic taste of Shanghai in this city.
Shanghai Benbang Cuisine
The soul of Shanghainese comfort food, characterized by rich "red-cooked" sauces (soy sauce, sugar, and oil). Expect tender braised meats, sweet-and-savory balances, and nostalgic flavors like *hongshao rou* (braised pork) and “xian dhu xian” (bamboo shoot soup).
1. 老吉士酒家（天平路店）Old Jesse (Tianping Road)
Old-school alley style, masterpiece of thick oil and red sauce.
Dishes: braised pork, grilled fish head with spring onion, drunken crab
Address: 徐汇区天平路41号/41 Tianping Road, Xuhui District
Per capita: RMB 150-200
2. 兰心餐厅（进贤路店）Lanxin Restaurant (Jinxian Road)
Smoky home-style local dishes, the king of price-performance ratio.
Dishes: oil-blasted shrimp, duck in soy sauce, pickled duckling
Address: 黄浦区进贤路130号/130 Jinxian Road, Huangpu District
Per capita: RMB 80-120
3. 福1088（镇宁路店）Fu 1088 (Zhenning Road)
High-end western-style private banquet, exquisite version of gang cuisine.
Dishes: Noodles with yellowtail, smoked fish, braised pork with sticky rice cake
Address: 静安区镇宁路375号 /375 Zhenning Road, Jing'an District
Per capita: RMB 500-800
Crabmeat Cuisine
A luxury born from Shanghai’s crab obsession. Freshly picked crab roe and meat elevate dishes like “xie fen dou fu” (crab roe tofu) or “xie fen xiaolongbao”. Best enjoyed in autumn during crab season.
1. 人和馆（肇嘉浜路店）Renheguan (Zhaojiabang Road Branch)
Michelin one-star crab feast, crabmeat ready-to-fry.
Dishes: crabmeat fried rice, crabmeat tofu
Address: 徐汇区肇嘉浜路407号/ 407 Zhaojiabang Road, Xuhui District
Per capita: RMB 200-300
2. 成隆行蟹王府（九江路店） Chenglonghang Crab House (Jiujiang Road Branch)
Old shop specialising in crab cuisine, whole crab feast ceilings.
Dishes: Bald butter rice, steamed hairy crab
Address: 黄浦区九江路216号/216 Jiujiang Road, Huangpu District
Per capita: RMB 300-500
3. 蟹尊苑（巨鹿路店）Crab Garden (Julu Road)
"Crab Supreme Jumbo," a bowl that combines crab roe, crab fat, and crab meat in one.
Dishes: Crab Dumpling Noodle, Crab Meat Xiao Long
Address：静安区巨鹿路889号/No.889 Julu Road, Jing'an District
Per capita: RMB 200-400
Shengjian Bao (Pan-Fried Soup Buns)
Shanghai’s iconic street bite—crispy-bottomed buns bursting with pork broth. Two schools: "clear broth" (thick skin) or "mixed broth" (soupy, thin skin). Pair with vinegar for the full experience.
1. 大壶春（四川中路店）Dahuchun (Middle Sichuan Road)
Old Shanghai fresh water style pan-fried dumplings with thick skin and crispy meat.
Dishes: Fresh meat pan-fried buns, shrimp pan-fried buns
Address: 黄浦区四川中路136号/136 Middle Sichuan Road, Huangpu District
Per capita: RMB 20-30
2. 舒蔡记（浙江中路店）Shu Cai Ji (Middle Zhejiang Road)
A long-established shop in the city, specialising in semi-fermented noodle skin + popping juice genre.
Dishes: Fresh meat fried dumplings, vegetable rice
Address: 黄浦区浙江中路120号/120 Zhejiang Middle Road, Huangpu District
Per capita: RMB 15-25
Xiao Long Bao
Delicate purses of thin dough cradling hot pork broth and minced meat. Masterpieces of dim sum craft—“xie fen xiaolongbao” (crab roe version) is a must-try upgrade.
1. 莱莱小笼 ·乔艾（天津路店）Lailai Xiao Long Bao - Joy (Tianjin Road)
A low-key treasure shop with crabmeat xiao long bao bursting with freshness in one bite.
Dishes: crabmeat xiao long, ginger vinegar, fried pork chop
Address: 黄浦区天津路506号/506 Tianjin Road, Huangpu District
Per capita: RMB 50-70
2. 南翔馒头店（豫园店）Nanxiang Steamed Bun Shop (Yuyuan)
Hundred years old, non-heritage skills Xiao Long.
Dishes: crabmeat xiao long, fresh meat xiao long
Address: 黄浦区豫园路85号/No.85 Yuyuan Road, Huangpu District
Per capita: RMB 50-80
3. 佳家汤包（黄河路店）Jiajia Soup Buns (Huanghe Road)
Steamed on the spot, thin skin, soupy and not too sweet.
Dishes: Pure crabmeat xiao long, chicken and duck blood soup
Address: 黄浦区黄河路90号/90 Huanghe Road, Huangpu District
Per capita: RMB 40-60
Scallion Oil Noodle
Humble magic: chewy noodles tossed in fragrant scallion-infused oil, often topped with crispy pork belly or spicy minced meat. A breakfast staple with cult status.
1. 老地方面馆（襄阳南路店）Old Place Noodle House (South Xiangyang Road Branch)
Neighbourhood eatery where the onion oil is boiled to a crisp.
Dishes: Scallion Oil Noodle + spicy pork topping
Address: 徐汇区襄阳南路233号/233 Xiangyang South Road, Xuhui District
Per capita: RMB 20-30
2.顶特勒粥面馆（淮海中路店）Top Teller Congee & Noodle House (Middle Huaihai Road)
Open for 24 hours, it serves scallion oil with fried pork chop.
Dishes: Scallion Oil Noodle, simmered noodles with yellow fish
Address: 黄浦区淮海中路494弄22号/No. 22, Lane 494, Huaihai Zhong Road, Huangpu District
Per capita: RMB 40-60
3. 沪西老弄堂面馆（定西路店）Huxi Old Lane Noodle House (Dingxi Road)
Absolutely authentic Shanghai local noodle flavour, with good service.
Dishes: Scallion Oil Noodle, pork liver noodles with clams
Address: 长宁区定西路685号101/101, No. 685 Dingxi Road, Changning District
Per capita: RMB 40-50
Shanghai offers a wide variety of cuisines, from local favourites to traditional snacks, and every meal is worth savouring. Whether you want to try an authentic crabmeat dish or savour the classic Xiao Long Bao or Sheng Jian Bao, Shanghai has something to satisfy your taste buds. We hope that every meal you have here will bring you new culinary discoveries and enjoy the true flavours of Shanghai!
