Discover the Best Food Tour Shanghai: Ultimate 3-Day Itinerary & Local Secrets
Embarking on the best food tour Shanghai has to offer is the perfect way to unlock the soul of this dazzling metropolis. This guide mixes authentic local favorites with practical tips for an unforgettable culinary adventure, perfect for enhancing any shanghai tour.
Shanghai’s Essential Food Map: Your Key to the Best Food Tour
Forget standard tourist traps. The real magic happens where locals eat. We’ll guide you through the neighborhoods that form the heart of Shanghai’s food scene. Planning the best food tour Shanghai style means exploring both classic and modern areas.
Classic Shanghainese Bites & Local Haunts
Shanghainese food, or “Benbang Cai,” is famous for its rich, savory-sweet sauces.
The Yu Garden & City God Temple Area is a bustling start. Try the famous soup dumplings at Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant. The crab roe ones are a must. For something sweet, find Wangjasha for their fragrant Sweet Fermented Rice Balls.
Head to Huanghe Road for classic dishes. Lao Rui Fu Restaurant serves incredible Braised Eel with Sizzling Oil and Red-Braised Pork. The decor is pure old Shanghai nostalgia. Don’t miss the flaky, sweet Butterfly Pastries from the International Hotel bakery—expect a queue!
For down-to-earth vibes and incredible shanghai street food, explore Yunnan South Road & Jinxian Road. Xian De Lai is famous for one thing: Pork Chop with Rice Cakes. At tiny Lan Xin Restaurant, order the Fried River Shrimp and “Caotou Huangzi” (stewed intestines with alfalfa).
Global Flavors on Your Shanghai Food Tour
Craving international cuisine? Shanghai delivers.
The Gubei area is Tokyo in Shanghai. For superb seafood rice and sashimi, visit Ikko. Try the cozy teppanyaki at Eishou. Jiakang Izakaya is legendary for its rich, dipping ramen.
Venture to Korea Town (Hongquan Road). The energy is infectious, especially at night. Grill your own barbecue, grab crispy fried chicken, or snack on steaming fish cakes.
Laowaijie (Hongmei Road) is a strip packed with authentic restaurants and bars from around the world. It’s a fun spot to sample diverse flavors in one place.
Trendy Eats & Leisurely Bites
Sinan Mansions offers a beautiful setting in historic villas, especially stunning during shanghai autumn foliage. Las Tapas serves excellent Spanish paella. For a classic, Canglang Ting is famed for its Yellow Croaker Noodle Soup.
Wujiaochang & University Road buzz with youthful energy. It’s budget-friendly and diverse. Try Thai food at Palan, wood-fired pizza at Pizzanella, or Yunnan rice rolls at Er Kuai Shi Guang.
Crafting Your 3-Day Best Food Tour Shanghai Itinerary
This focused 3-day plan is a highlight reel, but if you have more time, consider a more comprehensive shanghai itinerary 5 days to explore further.
Day 1: Dive into Classic Shanghai
Start your morning at Yu Garden with soup dumplings. For lunch, head to Huanghe Road for Lao Rui Fu’s hearty classics.
In the afternoon, grab a quick pork chop rice cake on Yunnan Road. Alternatively, visit the Michelin-recommended Lei Lei Steamed Bun Restaurant or Ding Te Le Noodle Shop for their famous 24-hour Yellow Croaker Stewed Noodles.
As evening falls, experience the homey atmosphere at Jinxian Road’s Lan Xin Restaurant. A stroll down Huaihai Road afterwards is the perfect digestif.
Day 2: International Flavors & Chic Eats
Spend your morning in Gubei. Enjoy a meticulous Japanese lunch at Ikko or Eishou.
Later, explore the Jing’an or West Nanjing Road area. Choices abound, from local noodle shops to Italian boards at Alimentari Grande.
Make your way to Sinan Mansions for a late Spanish lunch or coffee. As night falls, immerse yourself in the vibrant chaos of Korea Town for grilled meats and soju.
Day 3: A Deep Dive & Personal Picks
Escape to Qibao Old Street (Line 9, Qibao Station). This ancient water town offers treats like sticky rice balls and scallion pancakes.
For lunch, follow your craving.
Crab Roe Noodles: Indulge at Yu Xing Ji or Li Bai Crab (the latter has great Bund views).
Hot Pot: Try Cantonese-style at Wei Wang or comforting rice congee base at Ying Tian Ying.
Conclude your best food tour Shanghai adventure on University Road. Savor Sichuan frog hot pot or Korean private kitchen.End with late-night skewers from a local stall like Auntie’s Fried Meat Stand. For a more structured introduction, a best of shanghai day tour often covers these classic and modern contrasts.
Must-Try Dishes & Smart Restaurant Picks
Shanghainese Signature Dishes
Soup Dumplings: Lei Lei (for crab roe), Nanxiang, Su Xiao Liu.
Crab Roe Noodles: Yu Xing Ji (best flavor), Li Bai Crab (best view).
Yellow Croaker Noodles: Ding Te Le, Canglang Ting.
Classic Benbang Cai: Lao Rui Fu, Lan Xin, Drunkery (modern twist).
Pork Chop Rice Cakes: Xian De Lai, Wangjasha.
Great-Value International Bites
Japanese: Maki House (sushi), Hama-Sushi, Daylight (for ochazuke).
Italian/Spanish: Passa Passa (fresh pasta), Tapa Tapa (great paella), SOLO (elegant).
Southeast Asian: Palan (Thai), Mago (creative Yunnan-Guizhou).
Others: CHIHUAHUA (Mexican), Black Salt (Indian).
Pro Tips for Your Culinary Journey
Payment: Alipay/WeChat Pay are universal. Carry a little cash for some old-school spots.
Queues: Popular spots (Lei Lei, International Hotel pastries) have lines. Visit off-peak or try other branches.
Ordering: Picture menus are common. Don’t hesitate to point or use a translation app.
Taste: Shanghainese food is sweet. Sichuan is spicy. You can often ask to adjust the flavor.
Transport: The metro is your best friend. Combine it with short walks or bike rides.
Reservations: Book ahead for high-end places or tiny, popular spots like Eishou.
Let the scents of sizzling garlic and savory sauces guide you. Your own best food tour Shanghai is waiting to be discovered, one unforgettable bite at a time.
