First arrived in Shanghai: the temptation of food
When I first set foot on the charming land of Shanghai, I was hooked by the aroma of food in the streets and alleys. It was a unique smell mixed with sweet, soy and fresh aromas, like an invisible hand, eager to drag me into a wonderful food journey.
Walking on the streets of Shanghai, what caught my eye were shop signs of various styles. From exquisitely decorated local restaurants to snack stalls full of fireworks, each one seemed to be telling its own unique food story. The roasted sweet potato stalls on the street exuded a sweet aroma. The sweet potatoes just out of the oven were steaming hot. Peeling off the thin outer skin, the golden potato flesh was soft, glutinous and sweet, making people feel the warmth of winter instantly; and the fragrant pan-fried buns shop, one by one, the small and exquisite pan-fried buns were neatly arranged in a pan. As the temperature rose, the bottom gradually became golden and crispy, and then sprinkled with a handful of emerald green onions and black and white sesame seeds, just looking at it makes people salivate.
On the streets of Shanghai, the temptation of food is everywhere. Every kind of food seems to be waving at me, inviting me to explore the unique food culture of this city. At that moment, I knew that my Shanghai food journey had officially begun.
Breakfast: Start a Vitality Day
Shengjianbao: Hot and Fresh Street Food
In Shanghai, Shengjianbao is the “leading lady” in the breakfast world. Every morning, Shengjianbao shops on the streets and alleys begin to bustle. Walking into a shop, I saw the chef skillfully stacking the wrapped Shengjianbao neatly in the pan. With the sound of “sizzling”, the Shengjianbao gradually became golden and crispy in the blending of oil and fire.
The Shengjianbao just out of the pan is like a delicate little handicraft. The golden crispy skin at the bottom is like a layer of golden armor for Shengjianbao, exuding an attractive luster; the white and tender dough on the top is dotted with emerald green onions and black and white sesame seeds, which makes people salivate just by looking at it. Take a bite, and the crispy skin breaks between your teeth with a “crack”. Then, the delicious soup bursts in your mouth instantly, and the rich meat aroma hits your nose. Take another bite of the tender and juicy meat filling, which has a firm and chewy texture, and perfectly matches the crispy skin and delicious soup. The taste is simply irresistible.
If you want to talk about the most famous pan-fried buns in Shanghai, you must mention Dahuchun Pan-fried Buns on Huanghe Road. Dahuchun was founded in 1932 and can be said to be the “ancestor” of Shanghai pan-fried buns. Its pan-fried buns use fully fermented noodles, and the dough is soft and elastic with a faint wheat aroma. Unlike other pan-fried buns, Dahuchun does not put pork skin jelly in the filling, so the meat filling is relatively less juicy, but it does not taste too greasy, but instead highlights the deliciousness of the meat filling itself. Each pan-fried bun has more than 12 folds, and the folds are facing upwards, which is also a major feature of Dahuchun Pan-fried Buns. When you take a bite of Dahuchun’s pan-fried buns, you will first feel the soft dough, then the firm meat filling, and finally the golden and crispy bottom plate. The rich taste layers make people linger. Whether it is the local old Shanghainese or the tourists who come here for the reputation, they will be attracted by the unique charm of Dahuchun’s pan-fried buns.
Soy milk and fried dough sticks: classic mellowness and crispness
In addition to pan-fried buns, soy milk and fried dough sticks are also a frequent guest on the breakfast table of Shanghai people. In the old alleys of Shanghai, you can taste this classic combination in any breakfast shop. Most of the soy milk in Shanghai is salty soy milk, which has a completely different flavor from the sweet soy milk in other places.
A bowl of steaming salty soy milk is served, and green chopped green onions, golden fried dough sticks, fresh seaweed and fresh shrimp skin are floating on the milky white soy milk. Then a few drops of chili oil and vinegar are poured on it. In an instant, the soy milk condenses into snowflakes like magic, and the aroma is also fragrant. Take a sip, the richness of soy milk, the crispness of fried dough sticks, the deliciousness of seaweed, the salty fragrance of shrimp skin, and the slightly spicy and sour taste of chili oil and vinegar are perfectly blended together, with a rich and layered taste, which makes people have endless aftertaste.
Fried dough sticks are naturally one of the protagonists of this breakfast. Shanghai fried dough sticks are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The fried dough sticks just out of the pan are golden in color, with a crispy “crunch” on the outside, but soft and fluffy on the inside, full of air. Soak the fried dough sticks in soy milk, and after a while, the fried dough sticks absorb the richness of soy milk, becoming soft and tender without losing chewiness. A bite of fried dough sticks and a mouthful of soy milk, that kind of satisfaction can only be experienced by personal experience.
In the breakfast shops in the old alleys, you can often see such scenes: the elderly sit at the table, leisurely drinking soy milk, eating fried dough sticks, chatting, and enjoying this simple and beautiful breakfast time. Surrounded by noisy voices, the clashing of pots and pans, and the aroma of soy milk and fried dough sticks in the air, it forms a picture of Shanghai breakfast full of fireworks. Here, time seems to have slowed down, making people feel the most authentic life atmosphere of the city of Shanghai.
Morning tea: sweet and fragrant snack time
Begonia cake: the traditional sweet imprint
In the morning, the sun is just right, it’s time to have a sweet snack and start a comfortable morning tea time. Among the many traditional snacks in Shanghai, Shuangniangtuan is also one of the traditional snacks loved by Shanghai people. Its name is very interesting, “Shuangniang”, as the name suggests, has two fillings. The outer skin of Shuangniangtuan is made of glutinous rice flour, which has a sticky taste and a unique chewy texture. The filling inside is a perfect combination of red bean paste and sesame. When you bite it, you first feel the delicate sweetness of the red bean paste filling, and then the mellow aroma of the sesame filling comes to your nose. The two fillings blend with each other, with rich layers, bringing a double sweet surprise to the taste buds.
Shuangniangtuan has a soft and glutinous texture, yet it is still elastic. Every bite is full of the rich aroma of rice and the sweetness of the filling. When eating, you must eat it while it is hot, so that the outer skin will be softer and the filling will be sweeter. If it is cooled, the outer skin will become a little hard and the taste will be greatly reduced.
In Shanghai, if you want to buy authentic Shuangniangtuan, Shen Dacheng is a good choice. Shen Dacheng is a time-honored brand in Shanghai. It was founded in the first year of the Guangxu period (1875) and has a history of more than 140 years. When it started, the founder Shen Ajin wanted to combine dim sum and local snacks, so he named the store “Shen Dacheng”. Shen Dacheng’s Shuangniangtuan uses high-quality glutinous rice flour and superior bean paste and sesame, and is made strictly according to traditional craftsmanship. It has a sweet taste and high quality. Walking into Shen Dacheng’s store, you will be dazzled by the dazzling array of cakes and balls. Shuangniangtuan is one of the star products and is often in short supply. Buy a double-brewed group, sit in the store, and enjoy a cup of hot tea. It is really a kind of enjoyment to savor this traditional sweet taste and feel the leisure and comfort of Shanghai.
Lunch: Shanghai cuisine
Braised pork:
At lunch time, you must try the authentic Shanghai cuisine and feel the rich and mellow “thick oil and red sauce” flavor. Shanghai braised pork is undoubtedly a classic of Shanghai cuisine and a delicacy that everyone who comes to Shanghai cannot miss.
Shanghai braised pork, just looking at the color, makes people salivate. The bright red and oily meat seems to be wrapped in a layer of attractive amber, shining with a charming luster in the sun. Each piece of braised pork is cut squarely and evenly in size. The fat and lean pork belly is clearly layered, the lean meat has clear texture, and is full of gravy; the fat part is crystal clear, soft and chewy. Pick up a piece and put it in your mouth. The first thing you feel is the soft and glutinous texture. The fat melts in your mouth, and the lean meat is tender and juicy, without any greasy feeling. While chewing, the rich meat aroma, mellow sauce aroma and light sweetness blend with each other, jumping on the tip of the tongue, stimulating the taste buds, and making people unable to stop. The sweetness is just right, sweet but not choking, adding a unique flavor to this dish, which is also the charm of Shanghai braised pork.
Sweet and sour spare ribs:
In addition to braised pork, sweet and sour spare ribs are also a classic delicacy in Shanghai local cuisine. It is deeply loved by people for its unique sweet and sour taste and crispy and tender taste.
Shanghai’s sweet and sour spare ribs are bright red and oily, like a fine work of art. Each piece of ribs is evenly coated with a thick layer of sweet and sour sauce, shining with a charming luster under the light. Get close and smell it, the sweet and sour aroma comes to your nose, which instantly increases your appetite. When you take a bite, the first thing you feel is the crispy skin. With a “crack”, it seems to play a beautiful piece of music. Then, the tender and juicy ribs spread in your mouth. The meat is tender, and the taste is firm and chewy. The rich sweet and sour sauce is moderately sweet and sour, sweet but not greasy, sour but not astringent, and perfectly blends together, adding a unique flavor to this sweet and sour ribs. Every bite is full of rich sweet and sour taste, which makes people linger, as if they are in a feast of sweetness and sourness.
Afternoon tea:
Butterfly Cake at International Hotel: Shanghai-style Western Pastry
In Shanghai, afternoon tea is a unique lifestyle that combines Western elegance with Shanghai-style refinement. The butterfly cake at the International Hotel is undoubtedly a representative work of Shanghai-style Western pastry, and it is also an indispensable delicacy in afternoon tea time.
The butterfly cake at the International Hotel looks like a butterfly spreading its wings to fly, delicate and elegant. Its color is golden and attractive, and a layer of white sugar is evenly sprinkled on the surface. Under the sunlight, it sparkles with crystal light. Gently pick up a piece of butterfly cake and you can feel its lightness. Put it in your mouth, the first thing you feel is the crispy taste. Each layer of pastry is as thin as a cicada’s wing. A light bite will make a “click” sound, as if a wonderful symphony is playing in your mouth. Then, the rich milky aroma and sweet taste spread, the sweetness is just right, sweet but not greasy, and it makes people linger. The delicate taste and rich layers make people feel like they are in a sweet dream.
The butterfly cake of the International Hotel not only tastes excellent, but also carries a profound historical and cultural heritage. The International Hotel was founded in 1934 and was the “tallest building in the Far East” at that time. It was once a place where domestic and foreign dignitaries, celebrities and celebrities gathered, and it was also a symbol of Shanghai’s modernization. The butterfly cake, as the signature food of the International Hotel, has been deeply loved by people since its opening. For many years, the International Hotel has always adhered to the traditional production process, selected high-quality raw materials, and carefully made each butterfly cake. From the selection of flour, the melting of butter, to the kneading and folding of the dough, to the control of the baking temperature, every step is strictly controlled, striving to present the most perfect butterfly cake to consumers.
Dinner:
Pork ribs and rice cake: an affordable and delicious combination
As night falls and the lights come on, Shanghai’s night market is bustling with a variety of snacks that are dazzling. And pork ribs and rice cakes are definitely the star snacks in the night market. They are deeply loved by people for their affordable prices and unique taste.
The method of making pork ribs and rice cakes is very particular. After washing the pork ribs, pat them with the back of a knife to loosen them, and add onion ginger juice, salt, cooking wine and other seasonings to marinate them. Then, wrap the marinated ribs with flour, water chestnut powder, five-spice powder and eggs, and fry them in a pan until golden and crispy. The fried spareribs have a golden skin and a “crunchy” sound when bitten. The meat inside is tender and juicy, exuding a rich meaty aroma.
At the same time, the soft and glutinous rice cake is fried in an oil pan until the surface is slightly yellow, and then put into the pan with the fried spareribs, add a special sauce and stir-fry evenly. This sauce is the soul of sparerib rice cake. It is made with sweet noodle sauce, ketchup, sugar, salt and other seasonings. It has a rich taste, sweet and sour, sour and salty, which is a perfect match with spareribs and rice cakes, making people have endless aftertaste.
In Shanghai, if you want to taste authentic sparerib rice cake, Xian Delai is a good choice. Founded in 1921, Xian Delai is a time-honored snack shop in Shanghai, famous for its unique sparerib rice cake. His sparerib rice cake uses high-quality ingredients and is made strictly according to traditional craftsmanship. Each portion is full and delicious. When you walk into Xian Delai, the store is always crowded, and diners feast on this delicious snack. A bowl of steaming pork ribs and rice cakes is served on the table. The golden ribs are paired with soft and glutinous rice cakes, and then poured with rich sauce. Just looking at it makes people salivate. Take a bite, the crispness of the ribs, the softness of the rice cakes and the sweetness of the sauce blend in the mouth, instantly igniting the passion of the taste buds, making people unable to stop. Whether it is a staple food for dinner or a snack for midnight snacks, pork ribs and rice cakes can bring people a full sense of happiness. In Shanghai’s night market, pork ribs and rice cakes are not only a delicacy, but also a symbol of culture. It carries the history and memory of Shanghai and witnesses the changes and development of this city.
Midnight snack:
Barbecue: Late Night Canteen
When night falls, the lights of the city gradually light up, and the night in Shanghai has just begun. Midnight snacks are an indispensable part of the city’s night, and barbecue is the protagonist of the midnight snacks.
Shanghai’s barbecue stalls are like stars in the city at night, scattered in every corner. Each barbecue stall has its own unique style and charm, attracting diners to come and taste it. In front of the barbecue stalls in the night market, there are all kinds of ingredients, including tender lamb skewers, plump chicken wings, chewy squid, green vegetables… everything is available, dazzling.
The barbecue chef skillfully puts the ingredients on the grill. As the temperature rises, the ingredients gradually become golden and crispy, and the fat drips on the charcoal fire, making a “sizzling” sound, instantly arousing a tempting aroma. The chef flips the ingredients from time to time and sprinkles various seasonings evenly. The aroma of cumin, the hotness of chili, and the salty fragrance of salt are perfectly integrated with the aroma of the ingredients themselves, making people salivate.
Eating barbecue in the night market is not only to taste the food, but also to feel the lively atmosphere. Surrounded by bustling crowds, everyone sits together, eating barbecue, chatting and drinking, and laughter echoes in the night sky. Here, there is no pressure from work, no troubles in life, only food and happiness. Everyone enjoys this beautiful night to the fullest, releasing their fatigue and stress.
Shanghai culture
This food tour in Shanghai is like a wonderful adventure. I plunged into the ocean of Shanghai food and swam to my heart’s content. From the snack stalls on the streets to the exquisitely decorated local restaurants, each dish brought me a different surprise and gave me a deeper understanding of this city.
This food tour in Shanghai not only satisfied my taste buds, but also made me love this city deeply. Shanghai’s food is like a melodious movement, and every note beats the beauty of life; it is also like a gorgeous painting, and every color depicts the charm of the city. I look forward to the next encounter with Shanghai food, to discover more delicious food hidden in the streets, and to experience more of the unique charm of Shanghai culture.
