Shanghai Cuisine: The Ultimate Food Lover's Guide
From the delicate folds of xiaolongbao to the rich, caramelized depths of hongshao rou, Shanghai cuisine is a world of flavor waiting to be explored. Here is your complete guide to the dishes, traditions, and restaurants that define it.
Must-Try Shanghai Dishes
Xiaolongbao
Soup Dumplings
Delicate steamed dumplings filled with pork and a rich, savory broth. The hallmark of Shanghai cuisine.
Shengjianbao
Pan-Fried Pork Buns
Crispy-bottomed buns filled with juicy pork and piping hot broth. A Shanghai street food essential.
Hongshao Rou
Red Braised Pork
Pork belly slowly braised in soy sauce, sugar, and spices until meltingly tender. The soul of Benbang cooking.
Yan Du Xian
Bamboo Shoot and Pork Soup
A springtime Shanghai classic combining fresh bamboo shoots, cured pork, and tofu skin in a milky broth.
Hairy Crab
Da Zha Xie
Shanghai''s most prized seasonal delicacy. Steamed whole and served with ginger vinegar for dipping.
Cong You Bing
Scallion Pancake
Flaky, layered flatbread studded with fresh scallions and pan-fried until golden and crisp.
Smoked Fish
Xun Yu
Fish marinated in soy and spices, then smoked and served cold as a classic Shanghainese appetizer.
Crab Roe Tofu
Xie Fen Dou Fu
Silky tofu stir-fried with golden crab roe and crab meat. A luxurious yet comforting dish.
Eight-Treasure Duck
Ba Bao Ya
Whole duck stuffed with glutinous rice and eight treasures, then braised until the meat falls off the bone.
Drunken Chicken
Zui Ji
Poached chicken marinated in Shaoxing wine. Tender, fragrant, and served cold as a starter.
Shanghai Cuisine FAQ
What makes Shanghai cuisine unique?
Shanghai cuisine, or Benbang, is characterized by its sweet-savory balance, liberal use of soy sauce and sugar, and an emphasis on freshness. The cooking tends toward braising, steaming, and quick stir-frying, with seafood playing a starring role.
How is Shanghainese food different from other Chinese cuisines?
Unlike the fiery heat of Sichuan or the bold spice of Hunan, Shanghainese food is subtle and refined. It favors sweetness and umami over heat, and oil-rich, soy-braised dishes are central to the cuisine.
What is the most famous Shanghai dish?
Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) are unquestionably Shanghai''s most famous culinary export. These delicate steamed dumplings are filled with pork and a savory aspic that melts into broth when cooked.