Where to eat in Shanghai: typical dishes, recommended restaurants and shops

Planning to visit Shanghai soon? Then get ready for a taste explosion, because today I'm bringing you a must-see selection: 10 restaurants and shops in Shanghai where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner for less than 100 RMB a day. Yes, you read that right!

Typical food 1: Shengjian (生煎)

Shengjian is one of the city's most traditional snacks. It's a meat-filled bun, steamed and then deep-fried for that irresistible crunch. Its interior is juicy, with marinated meat and an aroma that blends sesame and spring onion. Eat it fresh from the pan!

Da Hu Chun (大壶春)

This is the classic shengjian temple. With nearly a century of history, Dahuchun maintains the most traditional recipe: fermented dough, light broth, and a crispy, golden crust. Its branch on Sichuan Middle Road is steps from the Bund and People's Square.

Address: No. 136, Sichuan Middle Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai
Office: No. 71, Yunnan South Road, Huangpu District
Top tip: Order a half portion (4 pieces) and accompany it with a bowl of beef noodle soup: a foolproof local combination.
Price per person: 25 RMB

Xiao Yang Sheng Jian (小杨生煎)

From a small restaurant to a national chain, Xiao Yang has revolutionized shengjian. His version has a crispy base and a flavorful soup-filled interior. Be careful when eating it! Make a hole in it first to slurp up the soup without burning yourself. They offer innovative flavors like pork with shrimp or plant-based beef.

Address: No. 269, Wujiang Road, Jing'an District
Office: Shop B1-18, Raffles City, No. 268, Xizang Middle Road, Huangpu District
Recommended combo: 4/8 pieces (you can mix flavors) + noodle soup
Price per person: 25 RMB

Typical food 2: Xiaolongbao (小笼包)

This delicate steamed treat is world-famous. Made with thin dough and filled with meat and gelatin, it turns into a savory broth when cooked. Bite carefully, sip the broth… and then enjoy the rest.

Wu You Xian (屋有鲜)

The most top (and expensive!) place to try crab xiaolongbao. It's so good it has a Michelin star. But the price is also sky-high: over 100 RMB for six pieces. If you're looking for the best of the best, this is your place.

Address: No. 269, Wujiang Road, Jing'an District (only one main location)
Recommended combo: 1 crab soup dumpling + crab wonton
Price per person: 200 RMB

Lai Lai Xiao Long (莱莱小笼)

A more affordable and delicious option. Their dumplings are smaller, but just as tasty. You can also try other dishes like shrimp wontons and fried pork chops.

Address: No. 20, Tianjin Road, Huangpu District (only one main location)
Recommended combo: crab xiaolongbao + shrimp wonton
Price per person: 45 RMB

Jia Jia Tang Bao (佳家汤包)

A local classic that hasn't changed since 1986. It serves the most authentic pork xiaolongbao. Fresh, juicy, and at an unbeatable price.

Address: No. 90, Huanghe Road, Huangpu District
Office: Shop L1-06, Kerry Parkside, No. 1378, Fangdian Road, Pudong New Area
Recommended combo: a basket (10 pieces) of pork xiaolongbao + egg seaweed soup
Price per person: 30 RMB

Typical food 3: Shanghainese style noodles (面馆)

Shanghai wouldn't be Shanghai without its noodles. More than just a dish, they're part of the city's culinary soul. From ancient alleyways to renowned restaurants, noodles are present in every corner, every season, and every conversation between locals. Here, a good bowl of noodles isn't just food: it's culture, it's history, and, above all, it's pure comfort.

Hu Xi Lao Nong Tang (沪西老弄堂面馆)

Famous for enhancing the flavor of classic noodles, we recommend the noodles with braised beef or pork liver and clams. Always order the "dry" version, not the soup version, to better appreciate the flavor of the freshly fried scallion oil.

Address: No. 1058, Dingxi Road, Changning District
Office: No. 1098, Yuyuan Road, Jing'an District
Recommended combo: Beef noodles + tiger-style marinated egg + mung bean soup
Price per person: 40 RMB

Wan Shou Zhai (万寿斋)

The undisputed leader in Shanghainese cold noodles, served with sesame paste, vinegar, and traditional toppings like braised ribs, fried gluten, or wild rice. A refreshing and local experience.

Address: No. 14, Siping Road, Hongkou District (only one main location)
Recommended combo: cold noodles + braised ribs
Price per person: 25 RMB

Local snacks that Shanghainese love

Beyond the famous xiaolongbao and shengjian, Shanghai holds a culinary treasure little known to tourists but deeply loved by its residents: traditional snacks. These small pleasures don't often appear in tourist guides, but they are an essential part of Shanghainese daily routine. From breakfast to mid-afternoon snacks, these snacks are affordable, homemade, and, above all, delicious!

Here are three legendary shops where you can try the best of this humble cuisine, yet full of history and flavor:

Lv Yang Cun (绿杨邨)

Founded in 1926, Luyangcun is an absolute classic when it comes to traditional Chinese vegetarian cuisine. Its specialty is vegetable-filled steamed buns (caibao), made with fresh ingredients such as Chinese cabbage, black mushrooms, dried tofu, and vermicelli, all finely chopped and seasoned with sesame oil.

In addition to the buns, don't miss their savory rice cakes, stuffed tofu rolls, and vegetable dumplings. Most of their products are steamed, making them light and ideal for those looking for a healthy and tasty breakfast.

Recommended location: No. 763, Nanjing West Road, Jing'an District
Office: No. 2, Shimen No. 1 Road, Jing'an District
Pro tip: Arrive early in the morning or at noon, because they sell out fast! Combo
Recommended: 2 vegetable buns + savory rice cake + hot soy milk
Price per person: 15–20 RMB

Wang Jia Sha (王家沙)

If you have a sweet tooth, Wangjiasha is a must-visit. This century-old bakery is famous for its Qingtuan (青团), green glutinous rice balls filled with sweet red bean paste, sesame paste, or even salted egg yolk. They're especially popular in spring, but you'll find them here year-round.

Another star is the eight-treasure rice (babao fan, 八宝饭), a steamed dessert made with glutinous rice, dates, red beans, chestnuts, nuts, and sweet paste, arranged in a colorful, symmetrical shape reminiscent of a culinary gem. They also offer sesame sweets, stuffed mochi, and many cakes with centuries-old recipes.

Recommended location: No. 805, Nanjing West Road, Jing'an District
Office: No. 1, Wujiang Road, Jing'an District
great for take away: Their sweets are packaged very well as edible souvenirs
Recommended combo: 1 Qingtuan + 1 sesame cake + small portion of eight treasure rice
Price per person: 20–30 RMB

Bai Yu Lan (白玉兰)

Baiyulan is a classic brand with decades of history specializing in Shanghainese-style dim sum. The stars here are the large meat buns (dabao) and the local siu mai, which isn't the same as Cantonese siu mai, but has a more homey, less sweet, and more meaty flavor.

Dabao is like an XXL version of xiaolongbao, with a fluffier dough and a filling of juicy pork mixed with scallions and soy sauce. Served steamed, it's a complete meal in itself. Baiyulan siu mai, on the other hand, consists of sticky rice, meat, and mushrooms, wrapped in a thin wheat skin.

Recommended location: No. 43, Tianping Road, Xuhui District
Office: No. 1, Longhua West Road, Xuhui District
Perfect for a quick lunch: Filling, tasty and very economical
Recommended combo: 1 large meat bun + 2 siu mai + egg and seaweed soup
Price per person: 20–25 RMB

In Shanghai, street food and local snacks are a fundamental part of the experience. Every corner tells a story, and every bite, a memory. If you want more recommendations or have any questions, leave us a comment and we'll be happy to help!

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