Shanghai Local Food Trails

Shanghai Local Food Trails | Travel & Food Guide to Shanghai Cuisine

Shanghai food merges Haipai style: fresh, savory, sweet, and soft. Shanghai food is famous worldwide. It mixes local taste with international flair. Its diverse flavors attract visitors from everywhere. It is loved across China. Internationally, it’s a shining window into Chinese food culture.

Step into Shanghai, where cosmopolitan flair meets rich culinary heritage. From delicate Xiaolongbao to crispy Shengjian buns and sweet Nian Gao treats, Shanghai local food trails reveal the city’s fusion of tradition and modernity. Each street and market tells a story of flavors shaped by centuries of trade and migration.

Follow our blogs to uncover hidden gems, from local dumpling shops to iconic sweet stalls. Discover where to enjoy authentic Shanghai snacks, fusion dishes, and flavors loved by both locals and international travelers.

Braised pork belly (Hong Shao Rou), a classic comfort dish on Shanghai Local Food Trails

Shanghai Local Food Trails ：Classic Main Dishes & Food Street

Close-up of Shanghai-Style Braised Pork Belly (Hongshao Rou) in glossy caramel sauce

Braised Pork Belly

Authentic Shanghai Eight-Treasure Duck with rich glutinous rice filling, a signature dish of traditional Shanghai cuisine.

Eight-Treasure Duck

Close-up of Yan Du Xian, a classic Shanghai spring soup with cured pork, fresh pork, and bamboo shoots.

Yan Du Xian

Shanghai Crab Roe Tofu served in a traditional Benbang style, with soft tofu and fresh crab roe.

Crab Roe Tofu

Translucent Crystal Shrimp arranged on a serving plate, a signature dish of Shanghai cuisine.

Crystal Shrimp

traditional Shanghai Caotou Quanzi with tender intestines and vibrant green alfalfa

Caotou Quanzi

Traditional Shanghai Youbao Xia served on a plate, crispy shrimp with savory sauce

Crispy Shrimp

Authentic Shanghai Eight-Treasure Duck with rich glutinous rice filling, a signature dish of traditional Shanghai cuisine.

Eight-Treasure Duck

Steaming Xiaolongbao from Nanxiang Mantou Dian, Shanghai’s famous soup dumplings

Shanghai Local Food Part I

Dingsheng Cake served with Longjing tea, a classic Shanghai dessert experience

Shanghai Local Food Part II

Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street at night in Shanghai with neon lights and crowds

Nanjing Road Shanghai

Shanghai Old Restaurant facade, one of the most famous places to try authentic Eight-Treasure Duck and classic Benbang cuisine.

6 Best Food Streets

Shanghai Local Food Trails ：Street Food

A bowl of classic Shanghai scallion oil noodles with fragrant scallion oil and chewy noodles.

Scallion Oil Noodles

Close-up of Shanghai Cifan Tuan (Sticky Rice Roll) showing glutinous rice and savory fillings

Sticky Rice Roll

Traditional Shanghai Paigu Niangao (pork chop with rice cakes), crispy outside and soft inside

Paigu Niangao

Shanghai Shengjian

Steaming Xiaolongbao from Nanxiang Mantou Dian, Shanghai’s famous soup dumplings

Shanghai Local Food Part I

Dingsheng Cake served with Longjing tea, a classic Shanghai dessert experience

Shanghai Local Food Part II

Shanghai drinks: Traditional Yellow Wine (Huángjiǔ) in a porcelain cup, a mellow Jiangnan specialty.

Shanghai Drinks

Shanghai Coffee Part I

Close-up of HEYTEA milk tea highlighting its smooth texture and signature tea aroma.

Milk Tea

Close-up of juicy Nanxiang Xiaolongbao, a classic Shanghai Xiaolongbao delicacy

Xiaolongbao

Chóngmíng Cake from Shanghai, soft and chewy traditional pastry, one of the city’s sweet & savory delicacies.

Shanghai Pastries

Mixed Shanghai Zao Huo drunken dishes featuring rice-wine marinated shrimp, chicken gizzard, chicken wings, abalone, and edamame.

Zāo Huò

Explore further through our:

Your Shanghai culinary adventure doesn’t end here:

Shanghai
Tourist mixing Crab Roe Noodles, a seasonal delicacy featured on Shanghai Local Food Trails

Shanghai Local Food Trails FAQs

Try xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), shengjianbao (pan-fried buns), hongshao pork, and hairy crab during autumn season.

Yuyuan Garden, Nanjing Road, and Xintiandi have both iconic and hidden street food gems. Local markets also offer authentic snacks.

Yes, it’s very safe. Hygiene standards are high across the city, even at street stalls. Plus, Shanghai’s light and slightly sweet cuisine is easy on the stomach.

Definitely. Dishes like steamed buns with vegetables, soy-based snacks, and vegetable dumplings are popular.

Evening hours, from 5 PM to 10 PM, are ideal when night markets are bustling.

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