The Best Food to Try in Shanghai

When it comes to Shanghai cuisine, you are always spoiled for choice. Some say that the best cooks and chefs in the world have congregated here, while others claim that there’s just too much to choose from! Regardless, one thing you will come to realise fairly quickly is that Shanghai is a city that thrives on diverse, creative dishes that are crying out to be sampled.

Some of the best food to eat in Shanghai, in fact, comes from its incredible street food scene, which is very different from what you might expect in the West. We’ll run through some points to remember later on in this guide. For the most part, however, we’re all about sharing with you what makes Shanghai cuisine so spectacular, and which dishes are worth making a beeline for.

If you’re keen to hunt around for a few foodie hotspots in the city and don’t want to rely on WiFi, we also recommend you install an eSIM for Asia so you’re always covered with mobile data you can afford.

What makes Shanghai cuisine special

Shanghai is described by many travellers as a foodie’s paradise, though that’s not necessarily because of its unique takes on food and drink. In fact, many people agree that Shanghai is something of a melting pot of different tastes and cuisines, meaning you will always find something to appeal to your specific taste buds here.

From the mild and delicate to the tangy and sweet, every meal in Shanghai can be slightly different if you plan ahead! In fact, even if you’re simply set on walking the street food scene, you’ll be sure to sample tons of different flavours across even a very short trip. 

Shanghai cuisine, through its street food scenes, is designed to appeal to a wide range of tastes thanks to it being an international hub for business and tourism. Therefore, even if you’re a fairly picky eater or are likely to miss some of your favourite dishes from back home, you really needn’t worry too much about what’s on offer here!

Best food to try in Shanghai

Coming up with a comprehensive list of the best food to eat in Shanghai is a monumental task which, according to some of the SIMOVO team, could take years if you really want to cut deep into the city’s greatest bites. However, we’ve come up with a short introductory list to give you a bit of a sample of what to expect in Shanghai when it’s time to chow down.

Remember, of course, that tastes can and will vary, and there is much, much more to sample across the city than the five picks we’ve listed here. Take them as an introduction and really build on your food exploration when you arrive!

Xiaolongbao

Xiaolongbao is a classic steamed dumpling that’s packed with piping hot soup, usually made from spicy minced pork or crab meat. This is something of a local delicacy for Shanghai despite the fact that the city is so well-known for being a hotbed of different international cuisines. Naturally, you’ll need to be careful when eating xiaolongbao, otherwise you’ll risk hot soup going everywhere!

Shengjianbao

Shengjianbao, meanwhile, is another local take on the dumpling that’s also usually filled up with piping hot pork soup - but, these mouthfuls tend to be a bit denser, meaning they’re ideal if you need a bit more of a calorific hit or fancy something thicker to bite into as you travel. Street vendors serve shengjianbao nice and crispy, straight from a steam cooker after being oiled on a griddle. The texture is to die for!

Red braised pork

Shanghai pork belly is something of an indulgence for many! This rich, meaty treat is usually served with savory lashings that are just as sticky as they are sweet, and it’s typically cooked with a variety of soy sauces and rice wine. In fact, red pork is famous across China - it’s just that you might find a few creative twists on the dish if you’re wandering around Shanghai. Take a look at food to try in Beijing for other national favourites!

Scallion oil noodles

You can’t visit Shanghai without sampling some local noodles, and many say that the best way to enjoy them is with a deep soy scallion taste that really leaves a lasting impression (in the best possible way!). Look for street vendors serving them in dishes and pots to take away, and don’t judge a book by its cover - it is much more surprising in the taste department than it looks!

Hairy crab

Hairy crab is an absolute delicacy in Shanghai, not just with travellers and tourists, but with locals, too. It’s actually only served usually in fall/autumn, and they are traditionally steamed and served with black vinegar. While they can take some preparation, it’s well worth enjoying them if you can find them via street food vendors as you explore the city. You can sometimes find hairy crab dishes off the mainland, too, so consider it when looking for food to try in HK, too.

Shanghai street food guide

Now we’ve taken you through some of the best food to eat in Shanghai, it’s time to look at the beating heart of the city’s cuisine scene, street food.

Shanghai street food is typically available to enjoy 24/7. That means you won’t ever have to worry about finding a late night fast food diner or having to order expensive food from room service if you want a midnight snack. That said, it is still worth loading up an eSIM for mainland China if you’re keen to order from somewhere online!

Otherwise, absolutely dig into the local street food scenes. Some streets specialise in spice, others in noodles and egg dishes, and some even serve local twists on porridge! The vendors you’ll find from street to street vary wildly, meaning while you probably can expect a good selection of most things in one row, you never know what to expect around the corner.

We recommend taking local food tours of Shanghai’s street food scene, in fact, if you want to know more about everything that’s available (and to try as much as you can). Of course, you’re also free to build your own itinerary, though this may be more difficult if you don’t speak Mandarin fluently or if you’re relatively new to the city.

Local dining tips in Shanghai

To finish off our guide to the best food to eat in Shanghai, here are some last dining tips to keep in mind before you arrive.

• Take a sweep of the street food scenes and see what’s available before filling up too early
• Make sure you have an eSIM for China, HK, and Macau so you can check out street food maps on the go without worrying about mobile data costs
• You don’t have to tip in Shanghai - it’s not expected, but there will likely be a service charge if you eat in a restaurant
• Always make sure the oldest people in your party are served first - it’s part of local dining expectation
• Don’t just stick to restaurants - head to street food vendors for every meal if you have the budget