Shanghai's food scene is wonderfully diverse — from the sweet, rich local Benbang cuisine to the world's great culinary traditions in one cosmopolitan city. Here are the top 7 cuisines to try.
The home cuisine of Shanghai — characterized by sweetness and the heavy use of soy sauce and sugar. Classics include red-braised pork (hongshaorou), drunken chicken, and sautéed river shrimp.
Shanghai's legendary soup dumplings (xiaolongbao) are a must — delicate parcels of broth and pork. Try them at the famous Nanxiang steamed bun shop in Yu Garden and the city's many dim sum houses.
Shanghai has superb Cantonese restaurants — from dim sum palaces to roast goose specialists. The city's Cantonese dining scene rivals Hong Kong's.
Shanghai's large Japanese and Korean communities have made it a hub for authentic Japanese sushi and ramen, and Korean barbecue. The Japanese quarter near Hongqiao is a culinary highlight.
Shanghai has China's best Western dining — from classic French bistros in the former French Concession to Italian, Spanish, and modern fusion restaurants.
The city's love of spice is served by countless Sichuan and Hunan restaurants — hot pot, mapo tofu, and fiery stir-fries for those who like heat.
Don't miss the street food: shengjianbao (pan-fried buns), crab shell pastries, and the breakfast stalls serving soy milk and fried dough sticks. The city's night markets are a feast.