Must-Try Foods in Shanghai
When in Shanghai, be sure to try iconic dishes like Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), Shengjianbao (pan-fried buns), and local delicacies such as Shanghai-style braised pork and sautéed river shrimp.
When traveling to Shanghai, there is a rich variety of must-eat food, which not only represents the unique food culture of Shanghai, but also is an indispensable part of understanding the city. The following are some of the top recommendations for must-eat food when traveling in Shanghai:
Recommended Itinerary:
3-Day Hangzhou, Suzhou and Shanghai Tour
3-Day Hangzhou to Shanghai Tour
Shengjianbao: Shengjianbao is one of the traditional snacks in Shanghai, famous for its golden and crispy bottom and fluffy and juicy top. With a bite, the soup overflows and the meat is tender, making it the first choice for savoring Shanghai's delicacies.
Xiaolongbao: Shanghai's Xiaolongbao, especially NanXiang Xiaolong, are thin-skinned and stuffed with rich soup, which need to be gently lifted, slowly moved, opened first, then sucked in the soup, then dipped in vinegar and ginger, with a delicious taste.
XiaoLongBao with Crab roe: XiaoLongBao stuffed with crabmeat and crab roe has a more delicious flavor and is one of the traditional famous dishes in Shanghai, which is very popular among diners.
Braised Pork: a classic of Shanghai's local cuisine, with a bright red color, soft and sticky taste, and fat but not greasy, it is a must-see delicacy to taste Shanghai's local cuisine.
Bean curd with Crab roe: crab meat and crab roe are roasted together with tofu (Bean curd), tofu is tender, crabmeat is fresh and tasty, the combination of the two complements each other, it is a delicacy with good color and flavor.
Noodles with scallion oil: Mixed with scallion oil and noodles, the dish is aromatic and smooth, and is one of the daily delicacies of Shanghainese, simple but delicious.
Would you like to try these Foods in Shanghai? contact us to learn more.
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What Our Clients Say?
Based on 10,000+ traveler reviews
Daniel Dorothea
Canada
Reviewed on April 29,2025
Shopping on Nanjing Road in Shanghai was just amazing! It's truly the "First Commercial Street of China", where tradition and modernity blend perfectly. You can find awesome souvenirs and experience the trendy vibes in cool stores. The neon lights at night are just spectacular, shining bright like Times Square in New York. The food here is incredible too. I had a feast for my taste buds. Shanghai, I'll definitely be back!
Destination(s):
Shanghai
Date of
Experience:
May 08,2024
Elvis Eva
Canada
Reviewed on June 20,2025
As a solo traveler from Canada, I was nervous about navigating China alone—but this 11-day tour was PERFECT! From hiking the Great Wall at sunrise (Day 3) to gasping at the Terracotta Army (Day 5), every day delivered ‘pinch-me’ moments. The real showstopper? Zhangjiajie’s Avatar Mountains (Day 7)! Our guide made the stone pillars come alive with stories.
Massive thanks for handling all logistics—bullet train tickets, entry passes, car! And the 4-star hotels surprised me.
Destination(s):
Beijing Xian Zhangjiajie Shanghai
Date of
Experience:
June 02,2025
Simon
America
Reviewed on May 29,2025
Our 2-day Zhangjiajie tour was beyond spectacular! As someone who’s visited Beijing and Shanghai for work, this trip revealed China’s wild, magical heart. Day 1 in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park felt like stepping onto Pandora—I’m a huge Avatar fan, and Yuanjiajie’s floating peaks left me breathless. The misty pillars and lush valleys like pure movie magic!
Then came Fenghuang Ancient Town, we eat dinner beside the thundering waterfall. It seems Unreal! The night views of stilt houses glowing over the river were straight from a fairy tale.
For fellow Avatar lovers and adventure seekers: Don’t miss this bucket-list experience! 10/10 would return.
A Well-Traveled Film Buff, May 2025
Destination(s):
Zhangjiajie
Date of
Experience:
May 08,2025
