Shanghai Restaurant Menu Guide
A comprehensive guide to typical Shanghai restaurant menus. Learn what to order, understand the price ranges, and navigate the full spectrum of Shanghainese cuisine like a local.
Dim Sum & Starters
Xiaolongbao (Pork)
Steamed soup dumplings with pork filling
Xiaolongbao (Crab Roe)
Seasonal crab roe and pork soup dumplings
Shengjianbao
Pan-fried pork buns with crispy bottom
Shao Mai
Open-topped steamed dumplings with sticky rice
Spring Rolls
Crispy deep-fried rolls with vegetable filling
Wontons in Chili Oil
Pork wontons dressed in spicy chili oil
Soups
Yan Du Xian
Bamboo shoot, cured pork, and tofu skin soup
Hot and Sour Soup
Classic Shanghainese pepper and vinegar soup
Fish Head Soup
Rich milky broth with whole fish head and tofu
Main Dishes
Hongshao Rou
Red braised pork belly, meltingly tender
Dongpo Pork
Slow-braised pork belly in soy and Shaoxing wine
Sweet and Sour Spareribs
Glazed ribs in tangy sweet-sour sauce
Lion''s Head Meatballs
Giant pork meatballs braised with cabbage
Squirrel-Shaped Mandarin Fish
Crispy fried whole fish in sweet-sour sauce
Stir-Fried River Shrimp
Tiny freshwater shrimp quickly wok-fried
Seafood & Seasonal
Steamed Hairy Crab (seasonal)
Whole steamed crab with ginger vinegar
Smoked Fish
Cold-smoked fish appetizer, sweet and savory
Crab Roe Tofu
Silky tofu with golden crab roe
Yellow Croaker in Soy Sauce
Whole fish braised in soy and scallion oil
Rice & Noodles
Shanghai Fried Noodles
Thick noodles wok-fried with pork and cabbage
Scallion Oil Noodles
Simple noodles tossed in sizzling scallion oil
Yangzhou Fried Rice
Classic fried rice with char siu and shrimp
Rice Cake with Pork
Chewy rice cakes stir-fried with shredded pork
Desserts
Tangyuan
Glutinous rice balls in sweet fermented rice soup
Osmanthus Cake
Steamed rice cake with sweet osmanthus syrup
Egg Tarts
Flaky pastry shells with silky egg custard
Price Guide
Budget (RMB 20-80)
Street food stalls, dumpling shops, noodle houses. Yang''s Fried Dumpling, Nanxiang.
Moderate (RMB 80-250)
Casual sit-down restaurants, popular chains. Jia Jia Tang Bao, Din Tai Fung, Old Jesse.
Premium (RMB 250+)
Fine dining, Michelin-starred, tasting menus. Fu He Hui, YongFoo Elite, Xin Rong Ji.
Prices are approximate per person and may vary by location and season.