What to Do in Shanghai

By Food & Wine
Updated March 08, 2017
© Yuanxi Sun
Take a photo tour of Shanghai, China's best sights and amazing dishes.
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A Mei Sheng Jian Shop

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Sprinkled with chopped spring onions and sesame seeds and then dipped in Chinese rice vinegar, Sheng Jian Bao (pan-fried steamed dumpling) is undoubtedly one of the most popular delicacies in Shanghai, as tasty as it is familiar. 101 Xikang Lu (near West Nanjing Road), Jing An, Shanghai

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Ningbo Tangtuan Dian

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Glutinous rice is beautifully used in regions south of the Yangtze River, with glutinous pastries commonly seen in Shanghai. ‘Qing Tuan’, which means ‘jade green rice ball’, is wrapped with glutinous rice flour and barley grass juice and stuffed with black sesame or red bean paste. ‘Rou Tang Yuan’, are glutinous rice balls filled with pork and served in boiling water. Steamed sticky rice, purple yam paste, osmanthus infused lotus root and steamed egg curd are also popular among locals and tourists. 98 Yuyuan Lu (near Lv Bo Lang), Chenghuangmiao, Huangpu, Shanghai

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Cheng Huang Miao (City God Temple)

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Cheng Huang Miao (City God Temple), together with its surroundings, has become an area where traditional restaurants and local stores are situated.

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Nanxiang Mantou Dian

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‘Xiao Long Bao' (Shanghainese soup dumplings), is perhaps the most famed delicacy in Shanghai, ‘soup’ is sometimes even more important than the solid filling. Take a small bite of the skin, let the soup out into the spoon and eat, then have the rest of the dumpling with rice vinegar and ginger slivers. 2/F, 269 Wujiang Lu(near Maoming Lu), Jing An, Shanghai

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Nanyang Lu Zi Fan Tuan

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Great taste often comes from humble food. ‘Nanyang Lu Zi Fan Tuan’ - a rice ball named after an alley (Nanyang Lu) off West Nanjing Road, is made of glutinous rice and Chinese purple rice, stuffed with deep fried dough sticks and shredded pork in soy sauce, you can also choose to add a cured egg for an extra fee. 90 Nanyang Lu (near Xikang Lu), Jing An, Shanghai

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The Shun Pao Building

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Built in 1872, the Shun Pao building is the former house of modern China's longest running daily newspaper Shen Bao which played an influential role in China's journalism. 309 Hankou Lu (near Shandong Lu), Huang Pu, Shanghai

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The Shun Pao Building

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Having been renovated and transformed to a modern dining place (The Press), The Shun Pao Building continues to provide an elegant dining surrounding with its great aesthetic. 309 Hankou Lu (near Shandong Lu), Huang Pu, Shanghai

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Baoism

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This gourmet Bao (Chinese steamed bun burger) store is located in Xin Tian Di, Shanghai’s trendy shopping area. Fillings range from hand pulled pork to Korean fried chicken, and their lotus root chips are highly recommended side dish. baoism.com.cn, B2E30, 150 Hubin Lu (near Jinan Lu), Lu Wan, Shanghai

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Wang Jia Sha

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‘Ci Fan Gao’ (glutnous rice cake) from time-honored Shanghainese restaurant Wang Jia Sha, is slightly salty, fried glutinous rice with shredded seaweed. shjingan05845.11467.com; 805 Nanjing Xi Lu, (near Shimen Yi Lu), Jing An, Shanghai

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The Bund

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The Bund is a waterfront area stretching along Huangpu River. It's one of the most popular tourist places in Shanghai that also houses many of China’s financial institutions.

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Wei Xiang Zhai

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This noodle house located on Yandang Road, Wei Xiang Zhai is always crowded thanks to its constant reputed taste. While there, check out their signature noodles in spicy sesame sauce. 14 Yandang Lu (near Huaihai Lu), Lu Wan, Shanghai

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Xia Sha Shao Mai

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Shao-Mai, steamed dumplings with wrappers shaped like flowers have various fillings such as glutinous rice, minced pork and shrimp. This food street stall on the corner of West Beijin Road and Xikang Road is now selling seasonal specials like Shao-Mai made of winter bamboo shoots.

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The Pho Store

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Pho Ga (Vietnamese chicken noodle soup), from pop-art style interior Pho Store is definitely a cure for cold winter days with its intense and flavorful broth. 118 Xikang Lu (near Nanyang Lu), Jing An, Shanghai

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BONOBO

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Bonobo serves a fusion of Asian take on food, from Korean to Chinese cuisine, with such standouts like baked cheese and sweet potato, chewy fried chicken balls with Chinese Mapo sauce, and kimchi rice. 38 Donghu Lu(near Xinle Lu), Xu Hui, Shanghai

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The Grumpy Pig

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A great lunch place, The Grumpy Pig serves modern street food in local style. Their pork dumplings, known as chilled wontons in Shanghai are filled with minced pork and vegetable, drizzled with chili peper oil and rice vinegar. thegrumpypig.com; 65 – 4 Maoming Bei Road (Yan’an / Weihai), Jing An, Shanghai

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Changle Lu/ Fumin Lu/Julu Lu

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Part of old French Concession in Shanghai, Changle Lu/ Fumin Lu/Julu Lu is now the hot spot for fashionistas, with a variety of fashion boutiques, studios, restaurants and bars to choose from.

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Taoyuan Village

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A typical Shanghainese breakfast item, ‘Xian Dou Jiang’ is savory soy bean curd with slices of deep fried dough sticks, chili oil, dried seaweed and sprinkled spring onions. 1/F, 150 Hubin Lu (near Jinan Lu), Lu Wan, Shanghai.

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3wisemonkeys

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Roasted eel sushi and teriyaki chicken sushi burgers are just two of the popular choices from café 3wisemonkeys. Another way eating “sushi’and getting your burger fix. 3wisemonkeys.com.cn; Gate 1, Shanghai Stadium, 1111 Caoxi Bei Lu, Xuhui, Shanghai

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Zhang Yuan, or Zhang Garden

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‘Shikumen’ is a Shanghainese architecture,retro in style that combines Chinese and Western architectural elements. Only a few spots of Shikumen buildings in Shanghai remain the way it was.

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Lao Shanghai Cong You Bing

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Scallion pancakes, known as ‘Cong You Bing’ in Chinese, are typically made from dough covered with minced scallions. Regional variations sometimes include an egg served on one side of the pancake. 18 Yanqing Lu (near Donghu Lu), Xu Hui, Shanghai

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