[Where To Eat:] Three Must-Try Authentic Yunnan Restaurants in Shanghai

Yunnan cuisine, known for its vibrant combination of fresh, fragrant, sour, and spicy flavors, incorporates traditional techniques from various ethnic groups. It features mountain delicacies such as matsutake mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and wild mushrooms, seasoned with Sichuan pepper, sour papaya, and pickled vegetables to create a unique and layered taste experience.

In Shanghai, Yunnan restaurants offer authentic dishes that highlight these distinctive flavors. Notable offerings include Crossing the Bridge Noodles, which comes with a rich broth and an array of ingredients; Steam Pot Chicken, known for its tender meat; Sour and Spicy Fish, which balances tangy and spicy notes with tender fish; and Wrapped and Grilled Fish, which is seasoned with spices and grilled to perfection. These dishes not only cater to the craving for exotic tastes but also showcase Yunnan's rich and diverse culinary heritage, adding a vibrant touch to Shanghai's dining scene.

1. Liuheyuan Yunnan Cross Bridge Rice Noodles

Rating: 3.9/5 (2762 reviews, Source: Dianping)

Per capita: 103 RMB

Business Hours: 10:00-14:00, 17:00-21:00

Address: 61 Xuanhua Road

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Liuheyuan offers more than its name suggests. Their standout Sour Soup Chicken Hotpot features a delicate broth made from stewed beef bones and fresh pickles, creating a well-balanced tang. Complementing the meal, their Crispy-Coated Tofu, handmade daily, is a cloud-like delight in the sour broth, with a smooth, bean-fragrant center.

Another highlight is the Crunchy Red Bean dish, where red beans are boiled, battered, and fried to a crispy shell, with a creamy, sweet interior.

Lastly, their Grilled Tofu, made from compact Shiping tofu, is grilled to perfection with a crispy exterior and rich, bean-flavored interior. The meal ends perfectly with their smooth, slightly sticky rice noodles, topped with fresh ingredients and a rich broth. Affordable and fulfilling, this spot is a rare find in Shanghai, with an average cost of under 100 yuan per person.

2. Yunwei

Rating: 4.5/5 (1548 reviews, Source: Dianping)

Per capita: 128 RMB

Business Hours: 11:30-22:00

Address: Room 105, Building C8, 718 Lingshi Road

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Yunwei’s Huangniu Rice Noodles are exceptional, with a rich, beefy broth stewed for 7 hours, and a unique condiment station offering Yunnan mint and other fresh herbs.

Their Cold Mixed Noodles, slightly thicker than Mengzi’s, have a chewy texture and are deliciously tossed with fermented bean curd and chili oil.

The Yunnan barbecue here is remarkable, with Beef Small Intestines grilled to perfection and Lamb Trotters, rich in gelatin, offering a rare treat. Their tofu, made with local big well water, features a pudding-like consistency when hot and a crispy, bean-flavored exterior when roasted.

3. Hong0871 Yunnan Selections

Rating: 4.4/5 (2010 reviews, Source: Dianping)

Per capita: 480 RMB

Business Hours: 11:30-14:00, 17:00-21:00

Address: Rainbow North, 5th Floor, Chengtou Holdings Building, 130 Wusong Road

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Hong0871 showcases Yunnan’s culinary sophistication with dishes like Nodeng Ham with Milk Fan, echoing a delightful ham and cheese experience.

Their Xuanwei Butchered Pig, originally a staff meal, features flavorful pork belly and liver, with chewy pig intestines, making for a hearty and satisfying dish.

A must-try is their Braised Eel Silk, with its finer, smoother texture and aromatic seasoning, making it a standout dish. The menu, though casual, delivers an exceptional dining experience with rare Yunnan ingredients and refined techniques.