Shanghai, being a relatively new city in China, does not really
have a cuisine of its own, but successfully refines all the work of
the surrounding provinces such as Zhejiang and Jiangsu. Through
years of culinary practice and the assimilation of the art in other
styles of cuisine, Shanghai chefs have also created a style of
cuisine peculiar to the region. Shanghai dishes are usually
characterized by the use of heavy and highly flavored sauce.
The use of sugar is another uniquness found in Shanghainese
cuisine and, especially when used proportiaonally with soy sauce,
the taste created is not so much sweet but rather savory. Household
in Shanghai would consume as much soy source as sugar. Visitors are
often surprised when the "secret ingredient" was revealed by local
Shanghainese.
The following dishes are considered traditional dishes to
Shanghai:
Da Zha Xie
Da Zha Xie is a special type of crab found in rivers, and is
normally consumed in the winter. The crabs are tied with ropes or
strings, placed in bamboo containers, steamed and served. There few
other artificial ingredients added to the dish yet it tastes
fantastically good. Da Zha Xie is usually consumed with vinegar.
Locals are also quite fussy about when to consume male crabs and
when to consume female crabs.
Smoked Fish Slices
An ideal menu for those who like highly spiced food. the Smoked
Fish Slices (fresh fish marinated and spiced to taste like smoked
fish) make a delicious, unusual hors doeuvre, while the
strong-tasting Stewed Pork Flavoured with Dried Squid dish is
offset by the vegetable rice to make a substantial meal.
Shanghai pepper duck
(half or whole) fresh duck steamed with szechwan peppers, ginger
and scallions until tender, lightly fried and served with plum
sauce and steamed bread 10.00/19.00
Beggars Chicken
Seasoned chicken wrapped in lotus leaves and baked in a dough
pastry.
Red-Cooked Chicken
Red cooking is a popular cooking technique in eastern China.
Pi Dan (Preserved Eggs)
Deep flied duck, then coveredwith braised with the fresh Lotus
leaf, together with some meat, shrimp, mushroom, preserved ham.
Xiao Long Bao (Little Dragon Bun)
Unlike the buns in northern China, these buns are very small and
easy to swallow. The buns are usually steamed in containers made of
banboo. The skin of the buns are very thin and the bun is very
juicy. The dish has been popularized and consumed widely throughout
China as a Dim Sum.
Chou Dou Fu (Smelly Tofu)
Ones 1st reaction is to hold their nose and eating it would be
the last think to enter your mind. The smelly tofu is a popular
local food mainly found on Shanghai streets. The tofu is fermented
with many ingredients before being fried. Old ladies usually serve
them on their little trolleys. Despite its odor, most foreigners
love it after tasting it and its dirt cheap too!
Shanghai Featured Restaurants
1221 Restaurant
The décor is modern and stylish and the menu offers a mix of
traditional and innovative Shanghainese cuisine that is very tasty.
Try the 'la la ji ding' or spicy cold chicken noodles or any other
of their fabulous cold appetizers. An unique dish is the stir fried
beef with deep fried dough sticks, a mix of crispy and soft
textures. Service is friendly and attentive.
Tips:
A. Opening Hours: 11：00-14：00，17：00-23：00
B. Add: 1221 Yanan Xi Road
Mei Long Zhen
Traditional Shanghai food in an authentic Shanghainese
restaurant founded back in the 30s. Service with a scowl but very
efficient. A good place to try lots of local specialities - shi zi
tou (lionhead meatballs) and of course Shanghai dumplings (they
even have crabmeat filling!). Prepare to be amazed by the guys who
fill your teapot and sit back and enjoy a little old world Chinese
style.
Tips:
A. Opening Hours: 11am-2pm, 5pm-10pm
B. Add: Lane 1081 22 Nanjing Road
M on The Bund
One of Shanghai's very best. The large terrace offers
unparalleled views of Pudong and the Bund. The food has been
described as "eclectic European" and has strong Turkish, Lebanese,
French and Italian influences. Great care is given to freshness,
quality and presentation. There is an excellent selection of wines
to complement your meal and the dessert, especially the pavlova is
superb. If you can't get a table, enjoy the scene at the very cool
bar. Conde Naste magazine considers it one of the best 100
restaurants in the world.
Tips:
A. Opening Hours: Tue-Sun 11.30am-2.30pm, 6.15pm-10.30pm
B. Add: 7/F 20 Guangdong Road
(Chinahighlights.com Shanghaifinance.com)
