Street Food In Shanghai You Can Try
- Monster Day Tours
- Oct 29
- 10 min read
When I first stepped onto the streets of Shanghai, my senses were completely overwhelmed in the best way possible. The sizzling sounds of woks, the sweet aroma of caramelized sugar coating fruits, and the sight of steam rising from bamboo baskets filled me with pure excitement. I've traveled to many cities, but Shanghai's street food scene? It's something else entirely.
If you're planning a trip to Shanghai and wondering what to eat, let me tell you street food is where the magic happens. Forget fancy restaurants for a moment. The real soul of Shanghai cuisine lives in the narrow alleys, bustling food markets, and humble street stalls where locals line up every morning, afternoon, and night.
Why Shanghai Street Food Is Special
Shanghai food has this unique character that sets it apart from other Chinese cuisines. The locals often describe it as "浓油赤酱" (nóng yóu chì jiàng) which literally means "heavy oil and red sauce". Don't let that scare you though! This just means the food here has bold, rich flavors with a slightly sweet undertone that makes everything incredibly addictive.
The city's position as a major trading port since the 19th century has shaped its culinary identity. You'll find influences from neighboring Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces mixed with international touches, creating a melting pot of flavors that's uniquely Shanghainese. And honestly, this is what makes exploring Shanghai's classic food and culture such an unforgettable adventure.
The Must-Try Street Foods
Xiaolongbao (小笼包) - Soup Dumplings
Let me start with the star of the show. Xiaolongbao, or soup dumplings, are probably what Shanghai is most famous for. These delicate little parcels of joy have an interesting history dating back to the 1870s in Nanxiang, a district of Shanghai.
The story goes that a restaurant owner named Huang Mingxian wanted to stand out in a competitive steamed-bun market. His brilliant idea? Adding aspic (gelatinized broth) to the pork filling. When steamed, the aspic melts into hot, savory soup inside the dumpling. Genius, right?
The best xiaolongbao have incredibly thin, almost translucent skin with exactly 18 pleats at the top. Inside, you'll find flavorful pork (sometimes mixed with crab) swimming in rich broth. When you bite into one, be careful that soup is hot! The locals taught me to nibble a small hole first, slurp the soup, then eat the rest with a bit of ginger and black vinegar.
You can find excellent xiaolongbao at places like Jia Jia Tang Bao on Huanghe Road or Fuchun Xiaolong in the Huangpu District. Just follow the lines of locals they always know where the good stuff is.
Shengjianbao (生煎包) - Pan-Fried Soup Buns
If xiaolongbao has a cooler, crispier cousin, it's shengjianbao. These pan-fried beauties are one of my absolute favorites. Picture this: a fluffy, slightly leavened dough filled with juicy pork and soup, then pan-fried until the bottom turns golden and crispy while the top stays soft and pillowy.
The magic happens in those large, shallow griddles you'll see at street stalls. The buns are packed closely together, fried with oil, and then water is added before covering them to steam. The result? A crispy, caramelized bottom with a tender top, and when you bite in boom! hot soup bursts into your mouth.
Yang's Fry Dumpling on Wujiang Road is probably the most famous spot, though locals will tell you Da Hu Chun offers a more traditional version. They typically cost around 5-15 RMB for four buns, making them an incredibly affordable breakfast or snack.
Cong You Bing (葱油饼) - Scallion Pancakes
There's something deeply comforting about a properly made scallion pancake. These aren't your typical thick, doughy pancakes. Shanghai-style cong you bing is all about those crispy, flaky layers infused with the aromatic punch of fresh scallions and sesame seeds.
The preparation is mesmerizing to watch. Vendors roll out the dough thin, spread it with scallion-infused oil (that bright yellow stuff you'll see), sprinkle generous amounts of chopped scallions, roll it up, coil it, then flatten and griddle it until golden brown. The layers separate during cooking, creating this incredible texture crispy on the outside, chewy layers inside.
The legendary A Da scallion pancake stall used to draw three-hour queues! While that original location has moved, you can still find excellent versions at street corners throughout the city, especially around Shouning Road. They usually cost just 3-8 RMB per pancake.
Jianbing (煎饼) - Chinese Crepe
If you're looking for the perfect breakfast on-the-go, jianbing is your answer. This is China's most popular street breakfast, and once you try it, you'll understand why.
Imagine a thin, crispy crepe made from millet flour and soybean meal, cooked on a large circular griddle. The vendor spreads the batter thin, cracks an egg (or two if you're hungry!) on top, then adds a crispy fried cracker called youtiao or baocui, plus cilantro, lettuce, green onions, pickled mustard, and your choice of sauces chili paste, hoisin, or fermented bean paste.
The whole thing gets folded up into a neat package that's crispy, savory, slightly spicy, and completely satisfying. You'll find jianbing vendors early in the morning, usually from 6 AM to 9:30 AM. One of the best spots locals recommend is at 58 Heze Road in Pudong.
Stinky Tofu (臭豆腐)
Okay, I need to be honest with you. When I first encountered stinky tofu, I almost walked away. The smell... let's just say it's intense. People describe it as smelling like "garbage juice", but tasting like "gorgonzola" pungent yet surprisingly delicious.
Stinky tofu is fermented tofu that develops a strong odor during its fermentation process. The traditional method involves fermenting it in brine made from vegetables, meat, and sometimes dried shrimp for several months. Modern versions marinate fresh tofu in prepared brine for just a day or two.
When you order it from street stalls, it's usually deep-fried until golden and crispy on the outside, served with chili powder and sometimes pickled vegetables. The fermentation gives it this complex, funky flavor that's actually quite addictive once you get past the smell. The ancient city of Shaoxing, near Shanghai, is particularly famous for its stinky tofu.
If you're brave enough to try it (and I really think you should!), you'll find it at most major food streets and night markets. Just hold your nose for the first bite trust me on this.
Tanghulu (糖葫芦) - Candied Fruit Skewers
After all those savory treats, let's talk about something sweet and photogenic. Tanghulu is a traditional Chinese snack that's having a major moment right now, especially on social media.
The traditional version uses Chinese hawthorn berries strung on bamboo skewers and coated in hardened sugar syrup. These days, you'll also see them made with strawberries, grapes, mandarin oranges, and even cherry tomatoes. The sugar coating creates this incredibly crisp, glass-like shell that cracks when you bite into it, revealing the juicy fruit inside.
Tanghulu dates back to the Song dynasty and has been popular throughout northern China for centuries. The name comes from its calabash-like shape. You'll spot these colorful skewers at tourist spots like Yuyuan Garden Bazaar and along major food streets. They're not just delicious they're also Instagram-worthy!
Hong Shao Rou (红烧肉) - Red Braised Pork Belly
While you'll more commonly find hong shao rou in restaurants, I'm including it here because it's such an iconic Shanghai dish. This is comfort food at its finest tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork belly braised in a glossy, sweet-savory sauce.
The Shanghai version is characterized by its use of rock sugar and Shaoxing wine, which gives the pork that beautiful red-brown color and sweet, complex flavor. The pork belly is cut into chunks, braised for hours with soy sauce, sugar, ginger, garlic, and star anise until the fat becomes gelatinous and the meat practically falls apart.
This dish reportedly was Chairman Mao's favorite (though that was the Hunan version). The Shanghai style uses more sugar and creates a glossier finish. You'll find it served with steamed rice at local restaurants throughout the city.
Where to Find the Best Street Food
Huanghe Road Food Street (黄河路)
Huanghe Road is legendary among locals. This narrow street near People's Square transforms every evening into a culinary carnival. It's been serving up authentic Shanghai food for over 30 years.
What makes it special? The seafood restaurants and classic Shanghainese eateries that have been family-run for decades. During crab season (September to December), the street overflows with people feasting on hairy crab. You'll find everything from hong shao rou to shengjianbao, and the atmosphere is absolutely electric red lanterns, steaming windows, clattering chopsticks.
Pro tip: arrive between 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM to beat the dinner rush.
Wujiang Road Food Street (吴江路)
Located just off West Nanjing Road, Wujiang Road is probably Shanghai's most popular food street. This is where Yang's Fry Dumpling originated, and it's still going strong.
The street underwent renovations and is now a modern pedestrian area, but it hasn't lost its charm. You'll find pan-fried buns, grilled lamb skewers, glutinous rice balls, bubble tea, and crispy fried tofu. The best time to visit is between 6-9 PM when the dinner rush creates this amazing lively atmosphere.
The street is easy to reach just take Metro Line 2, 12, or 13 to West Nanjing Road Station, Exit 3.
South Yunnan Road (云南南路)
Ask locals where to eat authentic Shanghai food, and many will point you to South Yunnan Road. This 250-meter street has been famous for street food since the 19th century.
What's unique here is the variety you'll find not just Shanghainese food, but cuisine from Guangzhou, Beijing, Hangzhou, Sichuan, and northwest China. There's something for everyone, from Shaanxi-style dumplings to Cantonese dim sum to Mongolian hotpot.
To get there, take Metro Line 8 to Dashijie Station, Exit 2, then walk east about 150 meters.
Yuyuan Garden Bazaar (豫园)
If you're already planning to visit the beautiful Yu Garden, the surrounding bazaar is a tourist-friendly spot packed with food stalls. Yes, it's crowded and touristy, but the food is still delicious.
You'll find xiaolongbao, tanghulu, zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), stinky tofu, and more. The famous Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant is located here. The atmosphere is vibrant, making it ideal for sampling multiple snacks in one place.
Qibao Ancient Town (七宝古镇)
For a quieter experience away from the city center, head to Qibao Ancient Town. This water town with ancient streets is lined with food vendors selling tanghulu, shengjianbao, various braised foods, cakes, and local sweets.
The South Street is mainly for local snacks braised foods, dumplings, stinky tofu, while North Street sells tourism souvenirs. It's a great day trip that combines sightseeing with food exploration. Take Metro Line 9 to Qibao Station.
Tips for Enjoying Shanghai Street Food
This is my number one rule. When you see long lines of local people waiting at a stall, that's where you want to be. In Shanghai, people love to queue for good food, and it also means the food is constantly rotating and will be fresh.
Don't be shy about copying what locals are ordering. Just point at what everyone else is eating Shanghai people are really friendly and will happily help you order.
Shanghai people have pretty set eating habits. For the freshest street food:
Breakfast: 7:00 AM – 9:30 AM for jianbing, scallion pancakes, youtiao, soy milk
Lunch: 11:45 AM – 1:30 PM
Dinner: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Many breakfast vendors only operate in the morning, so if you want jianbing or cifangtuan (sticky rice rolls), you need to get up early.
Learn Basic Ordering
While many vendors don't speak English, ordering is actually quite simple. Point at what you want, show how many with your fingers, and have small bills ready. Most vendors these days also accept mobile payments like WeChat Pay or Alipay, but cash always works.
If you want to be prepared, learn a few phrases or save pictures of dishes on your phone. Better yet, join a guided food tour in Shanghai where local experts can help you navigate the scene and discover hidden gems.
A Quick Budget Guide
One of the best things about Shanghai street food is how affordable it is. Here's a rough guide:
Xiaolongbao: 10-25 RMB for 6-8 dumplings
Shengjianbao: 5-15 RMB for 4 buns
Scallion pancakes: 3-8 RMB each
Jianbing: 8-12 RMB
Stinky tofu: 10-20 RMB per serving
Tanghulu: 10-20 RMB per skewer
Most people can have a filling street food meal for under 50 RMB (about $7 USD). It's honestly one of the best food bargains anywhere in the world.
Shanghai Food Adventure
Here's what I've learned from my experiences eating street food in Shanghai: don't overthink it. Yes, do your research and plan to visit key food streets. But also leave room for spontaneity. Some of my best meals came from following interesting smells down random alleys or spotting a busy stall while walking around.
Don't be afraid to try things that look unfamiliar. The worst that can happen is you don't like it but the best that can happen is you discover your new favorite food. Shanghai street food is all about discovery, about experiencing the city through its flavors and its people.
If you want a more structured introduction to Shanghai's incredible food culture, consider joining an organized food and culture tour. Having a local guide can help you navigate language barriers, find the hidden spots tourists miss, and understand the stories behind each dish.
Wrapping Up
Shanghai's street food scene is more than just about eating it's about immersing yourself in the daily rhythm of the city, connecting with local culture, and understanding what makes Shanghai special. Every dumpling you slurp, every pancake you bite into, every candied fruit you crack open tells a story of this dynamic, ever-evolving city.
From the delicate art of xiaolongbao to the funky adventure of stinky tofu, from the morning comfort of jianbing to the evening buzz of Huanghe Road, Shanghai food is an experience that will stay with you long after you've returned home.
So when you visit Shanghai, skip the hotel breakfast buffet at least once. Instead, head out into the streets early in the morning. Follow the locals. Point and smile. Try everything. Get messy. Burn your tongue on soup dumplings. This is how you really taste Shanghai.
And trust me, once you've experienced the magic of Shanghai street food, you'll understand why I keep coming back for more. The flavors, the energy, the authenticity it's simply unforgettable. Whether you're planning your first visit or returning for another food adventure, Shanghai's streets are waiting to feed you, surprise you, and maybe even change the way you think about food forever.
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