The Best Food to Try in Shanghai

[takeaways] • The five must-try dishes in Shanghai are xiaolongbao, shengjianbao, red braised pork, scallion oil noodles, and hairy crab. • Hairy crab is a seasonal delicacy — only available in autumn. If you're visiting at any other time of year, you won't find it. • Shanghai street food is available 24/7 — you'll never be stuck for a meal regardless of what time you're hungry. • Tipping is not expected in Shanghai — but restaurants typically add a service charge to the bill. • Always serve the oldest person at the table first — it's an important part of local dining culture and etiquette. [/takeaways]

When it comes to Shanghai cuisine, you are always spoiled for choice. Some say the best cooks in the world have congregated here; others claim there's simply too much to choose from. One thing you'll realise fairly quickly is that Shanghai thrives on diverse, creative dishes that are impossible not to want to try.

Some of the best food to eat in Shanghai comes from its incredible street food scene — very different from anything you might expect in the West. This guide covers what makes Shanghai cuisine so special, the five dishes worth making a beeline for, and the dining tips that will help you eat your way through the city with confidence.

What makes Shanghai cuisine special

Shanghai is described by many travellers as a foodie's paradise — not because of any single signature cuisine, but because it's a genuine melting pot of tastes and styles. From mild and delicate to tangy and sweet, every meal in Shanghai can be a completely different experience if you plan ahead. Even a very short trip through the street food scene will deliver a remarkable variety of flavours.

As one of the world's great international hubs for business and tourism, Shanghai's food culture has evolved to appeal to an extraordinarily wide range of palates. Even picky eaters will find something that works — and something that surprises.

Best food to try in Shanghai

Compiling a truly comprehensive list of the best food to eat in Shanghai could take years. Here are five dishes to start with — take them as an introduction and build on your food exploration when you arrive.

[numbered title="Xiaolongbao" pill="Soup-filled steamed dumplings"]Shanghai's most iconic dish — steamed dumplings filled with piping hot soup and spicy minced pork or crab meat. Eat carefully or risk a very hot mouthful.[/numbered] [numbered title="Shengjianbao" pill="Crispy pan-fried dumplings"]A denser, crispier cousin of the xiaolongbao — pan-fried on a griddle, then steamed, and served hot from street vendors with an extraordinary texture.[/numbered] [numbered title="Red Braised Pork" pill="Sweet sticky pork belly"]Shanghai's indulgent pork belly — slow-cooked with soy sauces and rice wine until sticky, sweet, and deeply savoury. A national favourite with local creative twists.[/numbered] [numbered title="Scallion Oil Noodles" pill="Soy and scallion noodles"]Simple, deceptively flavourful — noodles tossed in a deep soy scallion dressing that leaves a lasting impression. Don't judge by appearance; the taste is the whole point.[/numbered] [numbered title="Hairy Crab" pill="Autumn-only delicacy"]A true Shanghai delicacy for locals and visitors alike — traditionally steamed and served with black vinegar. Available only in autumn, so plan your trip accordingly.[/numbered]

Xiaolongbao

Xiaolongbao is a classic steamed dumpling filled with piping hot soup — usually made from spicy minced pork or crab meat. It's something of a local Shanghai delicacy despite the city's internationally diverse food scene, and it's non-negotiable on any first visit.

[tip title="Bite xiaolongbao carefully — there's hot soup inside"]Xiaolongbao are famously easy to burn yourself on if you're not careful. The correct technique is to bite a small hole in the side, let the soup cool slightly, then drink the broth before eating the rest of the dumpling. Rushing it or biting straight in is a reliable way to scald your mouth.[/tip]

Shengjianbao

Shengjianbao is another local take on the dumpling — also filled with piping hot pork soup, but denser and crispier in texture. Street vendors serve them straight from a steam cooker after being oiled on a griddle, giving them an exterior crunch that's entirely different from the xiaolongbao. Ideal if you want something with more substance.

Red braised pork

Shanghai pork belly is a genuine indulgence — rich, meaty, and served with savoury lashings that are just as sticky as they are sweet, typically cooked with soy sauce and rice wine. Red braised pork is celebrated across China, and Shanghai puts its own creative stamp on it. If you've tried it elsewhere in China, the Shanghai version is worth comparing.

Scallion oil noodles

You cannot visit Shanghai without trying some local noodles — and many say the finest version is scallion oil noodles, finished with a deep soy scallion dressing that really does leave a lasting impression. Look for street vendors serving them in pots to take away. They look deceptively simple, but the flavour is the whole point.

Hairy crab

Hairy crab is an absolute Shanghai delicacy — deeply popular with both locals and visitors. They are traditionally steamed and served with black vinegar, and the preparation is worth every bit of the effort involved.

[tip title="Hairy crab is only available in autumn — plan your visit accordingly"]Hairy crab is only served in autumn — typically September through November when they are in season. If this dish is on your must-try list, factor the season into your trip planning. Outside of autumn, you simply won't find them at street vendors or most restaurants.[/tip]

Shanghai street food guide

Shanghai street food is available 24/7 — meaning no late-night hunger pangs, no expensive room service, and no searching for a diner at midnight. From streets that specialise in spice to those focused on noodles and egg dishes and others with local twists on porridge, the variety from block to block is genuinely extraordinary. You never quite know what's around the next corner.

[tip title="Consider a local food tour for the most efficient way to explore"]If you want to maximise what you try across Shanghai's street food scene, a local food tour is the most efficient approach — expert guidance, curated stops, and context for what you're eating. Building your own itinerary is equally rewarding but harder without Mandarin or prior knowledge of the city's food districts.[/tip]

Local dining tips in Shanghai

[tip title="Scout the street food scene before committing to your first meal"]Walk the street before you start eating — Shanghai's street food variety means the next stall around the corner might be offering something even more interesting than the first one you spotted. Getting an overview before filling up early means you make better choices across the whole experience.[/tip] [tip title="Tipping is not expected — but restaurants add a service charge"]You do not need to tip in Shanghai. It is not part of local dining culture and is not expected at street food stalls or restaurants. That said, most sit-down restaurants will add a service charge to the bill — always check before paying to avoid doubling up.[/tip] [tip title="Always serve the oldest person at the table first"]Serving the eldest person at the table before anyone else is an important part of Chinese dining culture and local expectation in Shanghai. If you're eating with locals or in a traditional restaurant setting, always observe this custom — it's a straightforward and appreciated sign of respect.[/tip] [tip title="Eat at street food vendors for every meal if you can"]Street vendors in Shanghai offer some of the most authentic, flavourful, and affordable food in the city. Don't restrict street food to snacks — some of the best meals you'll eat in Shanghai will come from a vendor on the pavement rather than a restaurant table.[/tip] [esim flag="🇨🇳" label="China" data="10GB · 30 days" price="£8" href="/products/china" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No roaming charges"]Find the best food in Shanghai — stay connected without roaming charges[/esim] [faq] [q]What is the best food to eat in Shanghai?[/q] [a]The five best dishes to try in Shanghai are xiaolongbao (soup-filled steamed dumplings — Shanghai's most iconic dish), shengjianbao (crispy pan-fried dumplings with a pork soup filling), red braised pork (slow-cooked sticky pork belly with soy and rice wine), scallion oil noodles (noodles in a deep soy scallion dressing), and hairy crab (a seasonal delicacy available only in autumn, served steamed with black vinegar).[/a] [q]What is xiaolongbao?[/q] [a]Xiaolongbao is a type of steamed dumpling originating in Shanghai, filled with a small amount of piping hot soup broth alongside a spiced meat filling — typically pork or crab. They are cooked in bamboo steamers and served in a small basket. The correct way to eat them is to bite a small hole in the side first to allow steam and broth to escape before eating the rest, to avoid burning your mouth on the hot soup inside.[/a] [q]When is hairy crab available in Shanghai?[/q] [a]Hairy crab is a seasonal delicacy in Shanghai, typically available from September through November when the crabs are in season. Outside of autumn, they are generally not available at street vendors or most restaurants. If hairy crab is on your must-try list, plan your visit to coincide with the autumn season. They are traditionally steamed and served with black vinegar dipping sauce.[/a] [q]Should I tip in Shanghai restaurants?[/q] [a]No — tipping is not part of local dining culture in Shanghai and is not expected at street food stalls or restaurants. Most sit-down restaurants will add a service charge to the bill automatically — always check before paying so you don't tip on top of a service charge that has already been applied.[/a] [q]What is the Shanghai street food scene like?[/q] [a]Shanghai's street food scene is one of the most diverse and exciting in the world — available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Different streets specialise in different foods, from spice-heavy dishes to noodle and egg specialities and local twists on porridge. The variety from block to block is extraordinary, and the quality at the busiest vendors is consistently excellent. Local food tours are an excellent way to navigate the scene efficiently on a first visit.[/a] [q]Do I need an eSIM for China?[/q] [a]A SIMOVO China eSIM is one of the most practical additions to any Shanghai food trip. At £8 for 10GB over 30 days, it lets you navigate street food maps, check reviews, find vendors, and stay connected throughout your stay — without roaming charges or relying on restaurant WiFi. Remember that many standard apps including Google Maps are blocked in China — download alternatives before you land.[/a] [/faq] [esim flag="🇨🇳" label="China" data="10GB · 30 days" price="£8" href="/products/china" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No roaming charges"]Find the best food in Shanghai — stay connected without roaming charges[/esim]