The sanctity of fast food norms are under threat! Residents in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen and Guangzhou now have the option of getting a hot dog and a small coffee for the appetizing price of 10RMB during breakfast at McDonald's. Finally, a hot morning wiener to go with our little cup of McD's coffee! What took them so long? more ›

Sometimes the line delineating reasonable and unreasonable becomes apparent after it's been crossed. This is one of those times: "Grabbing a street-food breakfast on the way to work could soon become a thing of the past for Shanghai residents, as the unlicensed vendors will be banned starting September 1, when the Shanghai Food Safety Regulation takes effect. All food sellers will be required to have a license, and while current street vendors can apply for licenses, they must operate their businesses only at designated spots and during certain times. Urban management officers will watch for illegal vendors, who will face fines of 500 yuan (US$77.5) if in violation. Companies will be banned from the food industry for five years if they are found violating the clause on expired foods. Authorities will put into citywide use technologies that were used during last year's World Expo, including real-time monitoring systems and the ability to trace food to its origin." [Eastday] more ›

Krispy Kreme might be feeling the squeeze in the United States, but fears of bankruptcy hasn't stopped the uber-delicious donut purveyor from entering China. According to Brand Republic, the shop has partnered with BBDO Guerrero to expand overseas and plans to open up 35 stores over the next five years in Shanghai, Beijing and Tianjin. Yikes! Even more places selling delicious sugar-glazed fried bread? Be still our expanding waistlines. more ›

For those planning on hibernating this winter, it just got easier to add those crucial extra layers of fat. Dunkin' Donuts just opened in Shanghai, much to the delight of Marc van der Chijs and probably many other people. SH mag says, "This is supposed to be store number one of one hundred." SH also suggests our city might be in the midst of a "donut war." Aussie brand Donut King opened this month, as well. Our money is on the Americans. more ›

We just got off the phone with a very upset American Steak & Eggs employee who confirmed the diner's forced closure until August 6. They said it was because the teams playing in the USA Basketball International Challenge are training in Jing'an Stadium, which houses the restaurant. "There's lots of security outside right now," she said. "It's really bad." She said Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, also in the building, was also forced to close. This is all quite strange to us — wouldn't the members of Team USA, who we hear are staying at the Portman Ritz-Carlton next door, enjoy some American steak and eggs? Also read: Tongren Lu to close for the Olympics? more ›

By Benjamin Cohen more ›

We're often asked what things we miss most from home. Five years ago, we may have been ready with a long list of items in response. But now, it's a toughie. In many ways, Shanghai is home now, and a lot more Western comforts are readily available here in 2008 than there were just a few years ago. So when people ask the "what do you miss" question, we generally draw a blank on specifics and answer with something vague like, "People and places mostly." more ›