What to eat in Shanghai: try street food at the best local markets

Recently, foreign tourists have begun to appear in Shanghai's food markets. In fact, there are many hidden talents in Shanghai's food markets, and some shops even serve better food than restaurants. The price is also cheap. With one hundred yuan, you can eat all the delicious food in the market. Come and eat with me at the Shanghai food market!

No.1: Mengxi Food Market

Opening Hours: 7:00 – 11:30; 14:30 p.m. – 18:00 p.m.
Contact: No. 2 Mengzixi Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai.
traffic information: It is well connected by public transportation, close to Mengzilu, Liyuanlu, Chongqing Nanlu and Nantangbanglu. There are several bus lines passing by here, such as lines 36, 95, 780, etc.

The essence of Mengxi Market lies in the rows of small shops along the street, each of which is top-notch. Here you can not only have a leisurely coffee and eat desserts, but also try Shanghainese favorites such as crispy fish and white-sliced chicken. The combination of Chinese and Western cultures is a unique experience.

Recommended Shops in Mengxi Food Market

Hushiguang Scallion Pancakes 沪食光上海老羌饼

When I went, the scallion pancakes had just come out of the oven, and the toasted, sesame-speckled crust looked very tempting. I took a bite while it was still warm, the shell was crispy, and the filling was still moist. When I stretched the cake, it even formed strings, like cheese. Plus, in every bite, I could taste the strong aroma of onion, with an aftertaste that was a mix of the aroma of oil and sesame.

Amo Ling Chicken Porridge 阿模灵鸡粥

The owner of this shop used to be a chef at Xiao Nan Guo (a very famous restaurant in Shanghai). The shop mainly sells cooked chicken-based food, and the best-selling item is poached chicken. When I went there, there was always a steady stream of people waiting in front of the Amo Ling shop, so the taste must be amazing.

Poached chicken has a history of more than 500 years in Shanghai. The poached chicken here uses local chickens. The chicken skin is crispy enough and the chicken meat is tender enough. The best part is the jelly between the skin and the meat. When you bite into it, the chicken is very tender. The aroma of the juice spreads in your mouth.

Alternatively, you can also have a bowl of chicken porridge. Chicken porridge is slowly cooked with chicken soup, chicken offal, and rice, and is extra sweet when topped with a special soy sauce.

Crispy Fish Shop

This shop is quite popular. I passed by there several times and saw the entrance packed with locals. The most notable feature of their crispy fish is its freshness.
All fish are cooked on site. After frying at high heat, the crispy fish's freshness is preserved directly in the fish's flesh. While the fish is still hot, put it in the sauce and let it soak for a few seconds. Wait until the sauce soaks into the fish's flesh and the crispy fish is ready.

Make sure you buy the middle part of the fish. It's very delicious when you bite into it. When you dip it in the sauce, it's salty and sweet, and it goes perfectly with the rice.

Fei Ling Cake

Its owner used to be the pastry chef at the Four Seasons Hotel, which means you can eat Four Seasons Hotel pastries at the vegetable market.
The shop only has two flavors of cream cakes: the original and the chocolate, at 15 yuan each. I bought both flavors to try them out.

The original cake cream has more fruit pulp and the cake base is moist and fluffy enough. The cream used is special animal cream, and combined with fresh fruits, it is simply and purely delicious.

The taste of the chocolate cream squares was more intense. After eating them, your mouth will feel as if there is a cloud of chocolate floating in it, filled with the aroma of chocolate.

Next to the bakery is a café. Order a cup of coffee and eat a piece of cake and you will become a true Shanghainese.

No.2: Wuzhong Market 乌中市集

Opening Hours: 7: 00 - 19: 00
Contact: No. 318 Wuzhong Middle Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai.
traffic information: Subway Line 1 Changshu Road Station, Line 7 Changshu Road Station, Exit 7, walk 540 meters.

Although Wuzhong Market is called a market, I think it's more of a "refined" vegetable market. The items sold throughout the area are still those of a vegetable market, but the atmosphere is very fresh.

Wuzhong Market is divided into two floors. The first floor is mainly for fresh produce. Although there are not many shops, the variety is complete. There are even so many varieties of flowers that I can't even name them all.

The categories of products sold on the second floor are more diverse, but there is a treasure restaurant called CHAIMIDUO 柴米多. Not only are there various Yunnan ingredients and specialties, but you can also eat delicious Yunnan cuisine.

I ordered a small bowl of rice noodles. The taste of the rice noodles seems to have been improved according to the taste of Shanghainese people. It is not so spicy and it is sweet and fresh. I personally think that the taste is very pleasant for foreigners, so you can try it boldly!

There are also many small shops catering to foreigners around the market. I recommend the following two:

Hong Yi Food Store 红怡副食品

Exit Wuzhong Market, turn left and walk straight for more than 100 meters to reach Hongyi. The boss is called Auntie Avocado because she was the first to sell avocados in Shanghai. This also shows the boss's international vision.

From the outside the shop doesn't look very big, just two small stalls. But once you go inside, you'll discover that it's simply a condensed version of an international supermarket, and a cheap one at that.

Chicory, artichokes, mushrooms… all kinds of imported exotic fruits and vegetables can be found here, which is very suitable for foreigners.

Of course, there is more to it than that. Condiments and sauces, ham and bread, red wine and champagne – almost any Western food ingredient you can imagine is available at the small Hongyi food store. I walked around the store for a while and met at least a dozen foreigners. They were all riding bicycles and carrying their eco-friendly bags straight to the store.

Jeffery Food Store 吉福瑞杂货铺

The shop is very stylishly designed, even the small front door is very photogenic and attracts people to come in and have a look.

The store has a bar where you can get drinks, as well as a wide variety of imported products and fresh fruit and vegetables. Green plants can also be purchased at the door, with a wide variety of products.

At least a third of the shelves in the small shop are filled with various types of alcoholic beverages. I also asked the boss how many types there were in total and he told me that there were at least more than 1.000 types, including whiskey, sake, red wine, etc.

Tip: There's a whole wall of discounted items next to the cashier!

Jiahui Market 嘉荟市场

Opening Hours: 7: 00 - 19: 00
Contact: No. 103 Xinjing San Cun, Tianxinxi Road, Changning District, Shanghai.
traffic information: There are several bus stops nearby, such as Beizhuilu Jianhelu, Jianhelu Tianxinxi Road, Songhong Road Station, etc. Exit 3 of Beixinjing Station on Subway Line 2.

I would call it the best food market in Shanghai. Entering through the main gate of Tianshan West Road, there is a 100-meter-long food street with more than 30 tapas shops on both sides, and delicious tapas are lined up side by side.

Salt and pepper pork ribs, candied lotus root, crispy fish… most of these are delicacies that old Shanghainese have been eating since childhood, and the average price in each shop is only a dozen yuan. Don't hesitate to try it, all the restaurants here are delicious!