For people visiting the Chinese city of Shanghai, there are many, many dishes that are considered local favorites. Ask any two people who live in Shanghai, and they’re likely to give you two totally different lists of favorite dishes and restaurants. There are so many places to eat, so many cultural influences accumulated over the centuries, and so many new experiences to have that it can almost be a bit daunting and hard to find where to begin! But never fear! That’s why we’ve developed this guide to Shanghai food and recommended Shanghai restaurants. In this guide, we’ll provide some basic information on Shanghai itself, especially in the context of foreign tourism. Then, we’ll highlight some of the top, most well-known dishes that make up Shanghai cuisine and explain a bit about what they are, their ingredients, and so on. Next, we’ll point out some of the most popular spots in the city for dining – concentrated areas that offer travelers a wealth of food options. Finally, we’ll look at some of the top restaurants and eateries in Shanghai that you should consider visiting when on your trip to China.To get more news about taste of shanghai, you can visit shine news official website.
There is likely to be much argument from one person to the next as to which of Shanghai’s many foods, snacks, desserts, and so forth should make a top list of Shanghai food. Nevertheless, we’ve tried to narrow it down to the top 15 Shanghai foods that most experts agree exemplify the cuisine of the city, and that every visitor should try, at least once.

  1. Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings)
    It’s almost a cliché, as these are near the top of everyone’s list, but for a good reason: they’re delicious! These thin dumplings are filled with protein and vegetables, such as pork, shrimp, or crab, as well as a rich, flavorful broth, and served piping hot fresh out of the steamer, usually in a basket (their name literally translates into “little basket buns”). They are usually accompanied by a dipping sauce, typically vinegar-based with soy. First-time tasters should use caution, and allow them to cool a bit before eating, as the contents can be quite hot!
  2. Da Zha Xie (Hairy Crab)
    This famous crab dish is synonymous with Shanghai food and cuisine. These are freshwater female crabs, usually from rivers or lakes, and typically harvested and available in late autumn or early winter. They are simply prepared, tied with strings and steamed, served with a simple sauce of rice vinegar, ginger, and scallions in most cases. The meat is highly flavorful, and considered a prized delicacy, and consequently can be a bit on the expensive side.

  3. Crawfish/Crayfish
    Another form of seafood that is seasonal in Shanghai is the crawfish, which peak in summer. These are usually cooked up and tossed with chili sauce. They take some work to get at the meat, and are not dissimilar from their American counterparts, and make a great accompaniment for a slow, lazy hot day sitting in the shade with a cool drink.

  4. Pork Chop with Rice Cake
    There are a few versions of this dish that can be found in Shanghai. In general, a pork chop is breaded and fried. Sometimes it is served whole, and other times cut up into pieces. The whole version is served over rice cakes, whereas the cut up variety is often mixed with pieces of fried and cut up rice cake. However it is prepared, it is served with a soy-based sweet and sticky brown sauce and is quite delicious!

  5. Food on a Stick
    Like in many other Chinese cities, variants on kebabs are quite popular. You can find almost anything skewered on a stick and cooked up, from meats to vegetables to even dessert items. They can be found from street food vendors all over the place, with different offerings and preparations. Many will spice to order, allowing customers to control the level of seasoning and heat. They’re great on the go, or as part of a sit-down meal.

  6. Braised Eggplant
    Eggplant plays a much larger role in Chinese cuisine than it does in many other countries. The Shanghai preparation of this vegetable is a braised dish that’s quite hearty and delicious. The eggplant is stewed in a mix of soy, vinegar, ginger, sugar, garlic, spices, and wine. It can be found at most of the restaurants in the city, and provides a deliciously balanced mix of sweet, savory, and salty flavors.