In preparation for the upcoming National Day holiday and the enormous amount of tourists that it will bring to the city’s eateries, top restaurant review website Dazhong Dianping (roughly “Reviews by/for the Masses”) has posted a list of the best locations to indulge in five of Shanghai’s local specialties:
Shengjian: those small, pan-fried baozi that you see people lining up on the sidewalk waiting to savor. Dianping recommends Xiaoyang Fry-Dumplings at 54-60 Wujiang Rd (previously on Shanghaiist), and Caijing Shengjian at 530 Sichuan Middle Rd.
Xiaolong Bao: steamed, piping-hot soup dumplings, probably the most widely agreed-upon Shanghai classic. Dianping recommends Jiajia Tangbao at 90 Huanghe Rd (also previously here), Fuchun Xiaolong Shop at 650 Yuyuan Rd (Jiangsu Rd metro stop), and Delongguan at 473 Jiangxi Middle Rd.
Hongshao Rou: the perennial reddish-brown soy braised pork, but with a Shanghainese touch. Dianping recommends Jesse Restaurant at 41 Tianping Rd (down the street from Arch Cafe), Yuanyuan Restaurant at 550 Wanping Rd, and Keven Chinese Cuisine at 1A Urumqi Rd.
Youbao Xia: soy-salted river shrimp fried up crispy, just the way grandma Xu made them. Dianping recommends Lanting at 107 Songshan Rd (a short walk from Xintiandi), Lüya Restaurant at 372 Jiangxi Middle Rd, and Chun at 124 Jinxian Rd.
Xiefen Doufu: it wouldn’t be Shanghai without hairy crab making an apperance — in this case, on tofu — and don’t forget that crab season starts this week; Dianping recommends Lang Yifang Restaurant at 168 Lujiazui West Rd (fifth floor of the Super Brand Mall), Ye Old Station Restaurant at 201 Caoxi North Rd (actually an old French Monastery across from the Xujiahui Cathedral), and Xiao Nanguo at 214-216 Huanghe Rd.
In the same vein, Dianping has put together a list of the top shopping centers in town, from top to bottom: Super Brand Mall, Cloud Nine Mall, City Plaza, Plaza 66, Parkson’s, Raffles City, The Landmark, No 1 Yaohan (Babaiban) NextAge, Grand Gateway, and Taipingyang Dept Store.


