Where to Eat in Shanghai: 40 Local Restaurants and Food Spots

1. Lao Fan Dian

2. Lao Ren He

3. Wang Bao He

4. Xiao Shao Xing

5. Lao Zheng Xing

6. Lv Yang Cun

7. Xing Hua Lou

Xing Hua Lou is a little different from the other classic Shanghainese restaurants on this list. It is the oldest Cantonese restaurant in Shanghai, opened in 1851, but it has also become part of the city’s old food memory.

Many people know Xing Hua Lou for its pastries. Its mooncakes and sweet green rice balls are especially famous, and the Green Rice Balls with Salted Egg Yolk and Pork Floss can draw very early queues. So even if you are not planning a full meal here, it is still worth knowing as an old Shanghai pastry stop.

For a proper meal, Scallion Oil Chicken is one of the signature dishes. It uses Sanhuang chicken with spices such as cinnamon and star anise, then finishes with hot scallion-ginger oil. The flavor is fragrant but not too complicated.

The BBQ Pork with Honey Sauce is another popular dish. Here, pork belly is used instead of pork collar butt, so the meat is juicier and richer.

🔴Chinese: 杏花楼, Xing Hua Lou
⏰Opening Hours: 08:00 – 14:00 17:00 – 21:00
📍Address: No. 343 Fuzhou Rd, Huangpu District

Rui Fu Yuan feels more home-style than grand. It opened in 1994 and has a strong local reputation for Shanghainese food, especially if you want dishes that feel warm, rich, and very local.

The dish I would pay most attention to here is Yellow Croaker Soup with Wontons. It comes as a big pot of yellow croaker fillets in a milky-white broth, with small pork and fish wontons inside. The fish is fried first and then boiled, so the soup tastes fresh without being too fishy.

Another signature dish is Meat-Stuffed Field Snail. The snail meat is mixed with minced meat, stuffed back into the shell, and stewed in a thick brown sauce. It is more local and may not be everyone’s first choice, but it is exactly the kind of dish that shows how specific Shanghai home-style cooking can be.

Rui Fu Yuan is a good option if you want something more local than polished, but still very rooted in Shanghainese flavors.

🔴Chinese: 老瑞福, Rui Fu Yuan
⏰Opening Hours: 11:00 – 14:00 17:00 – 21:30
📍Address: No.132 Maoming S Rd, Luwan District

9. Fu 1015

Fu 1015 is for a more polished Shanghai meal. It is not the place I would choose for a quick casual bite, but it makes sense if you want a quieter, more elegant dinner.

The setting is part of the experience. The restaurant has a garden, a second-floor terrace, and private rooms. Instead of ordering in the usual way, the chef can arrange dishes based on your group size and preferences after you make a reservation.

The food also feels more refined than old-school local eateries. One well-known dish is Steamed Pot Rice with Abalone and Pork Belly in Soy Black Truffle Sauce. The rice is served in a small casserole, with black truffle added separately, so the flavor feels rich and layered.

Another dish to know is Deep-fried Sliced Grass Carp in Sweet Soy Sauce. It has a crisp surface, tender fish, and a sesame note. For dessert, the Home-made Soybean Milk Ice-cream with Crispy Dough Sticks adds a playful Shanghai-style finish.

🔴Chinese: Fu 1015, 福1015
⏰Opening Hours: 11:00 – 14:00 17:30 – 21:30
📍Address: No.1015 Yuyuan Rd, Changning District

Ren He Guan has a strong old Shanghai atmosphere, with vintage booths and art deco-style details. It feels more nostalgic than trendy, which is exactly why it fits this classic restaurant section.

The dish many people notice first is Gold Braised Pork in Brown Sauce. It comes in an individual portion, with half a spiced egg and Shanghai greens. I like this kind of serving because braised pork can be very rich, and a smaller portion makes it easier to enjoy without feeling too heavy.

The Shredded Honeycomb Tofu in a Stone Pot is a good contrast. It has tofu, salted ham, shredded bamboo shoots, wood ear mushrooms, and a slightly salty broth. It is softer and more comforting than the pork.

Old Shanghai Soy Sauce Rice is also worth considering if you like simple, satisfying carbs. The rice is served hot in a stone bowl, with shrimp and green beans, so it stays warm until the end of the meal.

🔴Chinese: 人和馆, Ren He Guan
⏰Opening Hours: 11:00 – 14:00 17:00 – 21:30
📍Address: No. 407 Zhaojiabang Rd, Xuhui District

HOMES feels more intimate than many big-name Shanghai restaurants. It sits on Julu Road inside a five-story Western-style building, with a simple, warm interior rather than a flashy dining room. The red chandeliers and smaller dining spaces give it a private, almost home-like feeling.

The dish I would notice first is Shanghai Style Smoked Fish. Instead of the more common smoked black carp, HOMES uses pomfret. The fish is fried, but the meat stays tender and juicy, with a richer flavor than the usual version.

Another signature dish is Hand-Shredded Salted Chicken. The chicken is pulled by hand instead of being cut neatly with a knife, so the texture feels softer and more natural. It is a simple detail, but it makes the dish feel less standard.

HOMES is a good fit if you want Shanghainese food in a quieter, more polished setting, but still with a relaxed feel. It does not have the same old-restaurant atmosphere as Lao Fan Dian or Lao Zheng Xing, but it has its own charm.

🔴Chinese: HOMES 上海本帮菜, Homes Shanghai Ben Bang Cai
⏰Opening Hours: 11:00 – 14:00 17:00 – 21:00
📍Address: 47 Xinle Rd, Xuhui District

🍚Best Local Home-Style Shanghai Restaurants

Lan Xin is the kind of small local restaurant that feels very Shanghai before you even sit down. It has been around since the 1980s, with only a few tables, no reservations, and usually a queue outside.

The menu is full of comfort dishes that longtime Shanghai residents know well: Stewed Duck in Soy Sauce, Fried Shrimp, and Fried Shredded Eel. But the dish most people remember is the Braised Pork in Brown Sauce.

This is a very classic Shanghai flavor: tender pork belly, sweet-savory sauce, and a rich taste that goes perfectly with rice. I would not come here expecting a slow, polished dining experience. It is small, busy, and very direct. But that is also part of the charm.

If you want a local home-style meal instead of a big restaurant setting, Lan Xin is a strong choice.

🔴Chinese: 兰心餐厅, Lan Xin Can Ting
⏰Opening Hours: 11:00 – 14:00 17:00 – 21:00
📍Address: No. 130 Jinxian Rd, Luwan District

Mao Long sits very close to Lan Xin, so the two are often compared. It is even smaller, with a bold “MLYNEC RESTAURANT” sign and a dining space of less than 30 square meters. Do not expect comfort or space here. It is more about the old local feeling.

One detail I like is that orders are still written down on paper before being sent to the kitchen. It makes the place feel a little rough around the edges, but also very real.

The signature dish is Braised Pork in Brown Sauce. It is rich, glossy, and full of that sweet-savory Shanghai flavor. Fried Shredded Eel is another popular order, with a silky texture and the fragrance of garlic and green onions.

Mao Long is not the easiest restaurant for a relaxed meal, but if you enjoy tiny local places with personality, it is worth considering.

🔴Chinese: 茂隆餐厅, Mao Long Can Ting
⏰Opening Hours: 10:00 – 13:00 17:00 – 20:00
📍Address: No.134 Jinxian Rd, Luwan District

15. Lan Ting Restaurant

Lan Ting started with only six tables, and even after moving and expanding near People’s Square, it still keeps that busy local-restaurant energy. It is one of those places where you understand the appeal more from the food than from the room itself.

The dish that appears on many tables is Braised Chicken in Soy Sauce. It may not look dramatic, but it is very Shanghai: thick sauce, a little sweetness, and tender slices of chicken that work especially well with rice.

Another dish to know is Fried Yellow Croaker. The fish is fried until crisp outside, then paired with a vinegar sauce that gives it a brighter taste. Compared with heavier braised dishes, this one feels a little more refreshing.

Lan Ting is a good pick if you are around People’s Square and want a proper local meal without going too formal. It feels popular, practical, and very Shanghai.

🔴Chinese: 兰亭餐厅, Lan Ting Can Ting
⏰Opening Hours: 11:00 – 14:00 16:30 – 21:30
📍Address: No. 686 Xizang S Rd, Huangpu District

Wo Jia is hidden inside an old residential complex, which already makes it feel different from the bigger-name restaurants in central Shanghai. It has been serving home-style food since 1988, and the setting feels more like a local find than a polished dining destination.

The dish that stands out most is Queen’s Chicken Wings. The wings are coated in a tangy, slightly spicy thick sauce. It is not a complicated dish, but it has the kind of bold flavor that makes people remember it.

Fried Shredded Eel is another popular choice. The eel is mixed with peppers and sauce, and it is best eaten hot, right after it comes to the table.

I would come here if I wanted something with a bit more punch than the usual sweet-savory Shanghai dishes. It is still home-style, but the flavors feel lively and not too restrained.

🔴Chinese: 我家餐厅, Wo Jia Can Ting
⏰Opening Hours: 10:00 – 01:00
📍Address: No.7 229 Lane Huashan Rd, Jing’An District

Yong Xing is tucked inside a narrow lane, with a small doorway that is easy to miss. Inside, there are only around ten tables, and the space feels busy, simple, and very old Shanghai.

If you do not know what to order, Duck Rolls and Fried Preserved Vegetable with Cashew Nut are good starting points. The preserved vegetable dish has a salty-sweet flavor and a crisp texture. It can be a little oily, but in a way that fits this kind of local restaurant.

The Deep-Fried Spare Ribs with Spiced Salt are also popular. The coating is thin, so the ribs still feel tender rather than heavy or floury.

Yong Xing is not a fancy stop. It is better for travelers who enjoy small local places and do not mind a more crowded dining room. If that sounds like your style, it can be a fun break from the bigger Shanghai restaurants.

🔴Chinese: 永兴餐厅, Yong Xing Can Ting
⏰Opening Hours: 11:00 – 14:00 17:00 – 22:00
📍Address: No.1 626 Lane Fuxing M Rd, Huangpu District

18. Mao Dou A’Yi Restaurant

Mao Dou A’Yi sits in the French Concession, so the setting already feels a little different from some of the older, tighter local restaurants on this list. It has a mix of Chinese and Western touches, but the food is still very much about Shanghai flavors.

The dish most people talk about here is Smoked Fish. Instead of a heavier fish, it uses silver cod, which gives the dish a softer and more delicate texture. The fish is fried first, then soaked in soy sauce while still hot, so the outside gets that rich, sweet-savory flavor.

Braised Pork in Brown Sauce is another signature dish. It is slow-cooked with rock sugar, so the sauce has the glossy, slightly sweet taste that Shanghai-style pork is known for.

I would come here if I wanted something local but not too rough around the edges. It still has the comfort of home-style Shanghai food, just in a more pleasant French Concession setting.

🔴Chinese: 毛豆阿姨酒家, Mao Dou Ayi Jiu Jia
⏰Opening Hours: 11:00 – 14:00 17:00 – 21:00
📍Address: No. 115 Changshu Rd, Jing’An District

19. JIAN’GUO 328 XIAOGUAN

JIAN’GUO 328 XIAOGUAN is a local Shanghai eatery with a small twist. The owner is from Taiwan, while the chef is a Shanghai native, so the food keeps the base of Shanghainese cooking but feels a little lighter and slightly different.

The Braised Pork in Brown Sauce is still one of the main dishes to order. Here, it comes with beancurd sheets and quail eggs, which makes the dish feel more complete and less one-note.

Fried Pork Liver with Soy Sauce is another popular choice. It is simple, savory, and finished with fresh green onions. If you like crispy fish, the Fried Small Yellow Croaker with Scallions is also worth noticing. The fish is fried until crisp, then covered with scallions.

This is a good choice if you want Shanghai home-style food, but not the heaviest or most old-fashioned version. It feels local, but a little more approachable.

🔴Chinese: 建国328小馆, JIAN’GUO 328 XIAOGUAN
⏰Opening Hours: 11:00 – 14:00 17:00 – 21:00
📍Address: 328 Jianguo Rd (W), Xuhui District

20. Hai Jin Zi Restaurant

Hai Jin Zi has been around for about three decades, and compared with some tiny local spots, it feels brighter and easier for newcomers. If you are taking foreign friends to try Shanghai food for the first time, this is the kind of place that feels less intimidating.

The Stewed Duck in Soy Sauce is one of the dishes to look at. The sauce is fresh, slightly sweet, and very good with rice. Honestly, this is the kind of dish where the rice can be just as satisfying as the meat, because it soaks up all the sauce.

Crab Eggs is another very Shanghai-style dish. It does not actually need to be complicated: the egg yolk and egg white are fried separately, creating a taste and texture that reminds people of crab. It is slightly tangy and very comforting.

The Grilled Pork Chop with Scallions is also a solid order if you want something more filling.

🔴Chinese: 海金滋, Hai Jin Zi
⏰Opening Hours: 10:00 – 21:00
📍Address: No. 240 Jinxian Rd, Luwan District

21. San Ma Lu Restaurant

San Ma Lu Restaurant has been on Sanma Road for over twenty years, and it feels like one of those local restaurants that became part of the street itself. The food is classic, straightforward, and very Shanghai.

The Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs are the dish most associated with the restaurant. They are coated in a thick, glossy sauce, with that familiar balance of sweetness and acidity. It is not a light dish, but it is very satisfying if you like stronger sweet-sour flavors.

Another dish to know is Sautéed Hardshell Crab with Rice Cake. The crab is stir-fried, then paired with chewy rice cakes, so you get both seafood flavor and that sticky, comforting texture.

Sauteed Alfalfa with Rice Wine is more local and lighter. It is the kind of vegetable dish I would order to balance out the richer meat and crab dishes.

San Ma Lu is best for a proper local meal, especially if you want to try several Shanghai-style dishes together.

🔴Chinese: 三玛璐酒楼, San Ma Lu Jiu Lou
⏰Opening Hours: 11:00 – 14:00 17:00 – 21:30
📍Address: No. 413 Hankou Rd, Huangpu District

22. Jesse Restaurant

Jesse Restaurant looks small from the outside, but it has a very old Shanghai mood once you step in. Dark blue tablecloths, narrow stairs, and a slightly vintage feeling make it more atmospheric than many casual local restaurants.

Reservations are a good idea here, especially if you want the signature dishes that need to be ordered ahead. This is not the best place to just walk in and hope for the full experience.

Jesse Salted Chicken is one of the key dishes. The skin is thin, the meat is firm, and the flavor is clean but fragrant. The Braised Pork in Brown Sauce is also a favorite. For me, a good version should be tender enough to pick up with chopsticks, but still rich and sweet when you eat it. Jesse’s version fits that style well.

Crab Roe Bibimbap is another memorable dish, though it is on the expensive side. The hot stone-pan rice mixes with the crab roe, making the flavor richer without tasting too fishy.

🔴Chinese: 老吉士, Lao Ji Shi
⏰Opening Hours: 11:00 – 14:30 17:00 – 21:30
📍Address: No. 41 Tianping Rd, Xuhui District

🥟Best Old Shanghai Snack Shops and Bakeries

Da Hu Chun is one of the old names to know if you want to try shengjian mantou, or Shanghai pan-fried pork buns. It started serving them in the 1930s, not long after this snack became popular in the city.

The style here is a little different from many modern shengjian shops. Da Hu Chun uses the traditional “clear water” pan-frying method, with the twisted side of the bun facing up and the bottom fried in oil. The result is a thinner, crispier base and less soup inside, so the pork filling becomes the main focus.

Another small detail is that sesame seeds and scallions are added before frying, not after. They absorb more flavor this way, which makes the buns taste a bit more old-school.

I would come here if you want to compare Shanghai’s older shengjian style with the soupier versions you may find elsewhere. It is simple, classic, and very easy to add to a morning food walk.

👉 If you’re curious about what locals eat in the morning, check out our Shanghai Breakfast Guide

🔴Chinese: 大壶春, Da Hu Chun
⏰Opening Hours: 07:00 – 19:30
📍Address: No.136 Sichuang Rd (M), Huangpu District

24. Nan Xiang Bun Shop

Nan Xiang Bun Shop is probably one of the most famous places for xiao long bao in Shanghai. It is in the Yu Garden area, near the Old Town God’s Temple, so it is very convenient if this is your first time visiting the old part of the city.

Because of the location and fame, there is usually a queue. Waiting 10 to 30 minutes is normal, so I would not come here when you are already very hungry or in a rush.

The xiao long bao are small, with meat filling and hot broth inside. The most important thing is not to bite too quickly. Dip one in Shanghai rice vinegar with shredded ginger, let it cool a little, then eat carefully. The soup can be very hot.

Nan Xiang may not feel like a hidden local secret, but for first-time visitors, it is still a classic stop. If dumplings are high on your Shanghai food list, this is an easy one to include.

If dumplings are on your must-eat list, explore the city’s best with our expertly selected 22 dumpling restaurants.

🔴Chinese: 南翔馒头店, Nan Xiang Man Tou Dian
⏰Opening Hours: 09:00 – 20:30
📍Address: No. 87 Yuyuan Rd, Huangpu District

25. Zhen Lao Da Fang

Zhen Lao Da Fang is an old Shanghai pastry shop that dates back to 1899. It sells sweets, dried fruits, cured meats, and other traditional snacks, but the one to know here is the pork mooncake.

This is not the sweet mooncake many travelers may imagine. It is a Suzhou-style pork-stuffed pastry, with a thin, crisp outer layer and a savory pork filling inside. When it is fresh from the oven, the pastry is flaky, and the filling is juicy and rich.

I like this kind of snack because it feels very local but is also easy to understand. You do not need to sit down for a full meal. Just buy one while it is hot and eat it as a small savory break during the day.

If you are walking around central Huangpu and want to try an old-style Shanghai pastry, Zhen Lao Da Fang is a simple stop to add.

🔴Chinese: 真老大房, Zhen Lao Da Fang
⏰Opening Hours: 09:00 – 22:00
📍Address: No. 336-338 Fujian Rd (M), Huangpu District

26. Xian De Lai

Xian De Lai is closely tied to one very classic Shanghai snack: Pork Chop with Rice Cakes. Even in other parts of China, many people know this dish as a Shanghai favorite.

The pork chop is coated with a mixture that includes tapioca flour, rice flour, five-spice powder, and egg, then fried quickly so the outside turns crisp while the meat stays tender. The rice cakes are made from Songjiang rice and sliced thinly, giving them a chewy but not overly sticky texture.

The fun part is choosing the sauce. You can add sweet sauce, chili sauce, or both, depending on how you like it. For me, this is exactly the kind of snack that makes Shanghai food feel comforting: a little crispy, a little chewy, and very satisfying.

It is not delicate in the way xiao long bao is. It is more filling, more casual, and perfect when you want something quick but substantial.

🔴Chinese: 鲜得来, Xian De Lai
⏰Opening Hours: 10:30 – 21:30
📍Address: No. 36 Yunnan Rd (S), Huangpu District

27. Shen Da Cheng

Shen Da Cheng is one of the classic names for Shanghai-style pastries and sweet snacks. It was established in 1875, and there can still be long lines, especially around the takeaway pastry window.

The most famous item here is sweet green rice balls. The outside is soft and slightly chewy, while the fillings are rich and satisfying. Popular options include sweet bean paste and salted egg yolk with pork floss. If you visit around spring, this is one of the snacks that feels especially seasonal.

Another old-school choice is Osmanthus Tiaotou Cake. It has a smooth, stretchy rice skin, bean paste filling, and a light osmanthus fragrance. The sweetness is gentle rather than heavy.

I would not treat Shen Da Cheng as a full meal stop. It works better as a snack break, especially if you want to try Shanghai’s sweeter, softer side after eating noodles, buns, or heavier local dishes.

🔴Chinese: 沈大成, Shen Da Cheng
⏰Opening Hours: 07:00 – 21:00
📍Address: No. 636 Nanjing Rd (W), Huangpu District

Xi Bing Wu is the in-house bakery of Park Hotel Shanghai, one of the city’s classic old hotels dating back to 1934. Even today, people still line up in the morning for its old-school Shanghai pastries.

The most famous item here is probably the Butterfly Cookie. It is crisp, buttery, slightly sweet, and shaped like a butterfly. It is not a flashy dessert, but it has that simple old Shanghai bakery feeling.

Another signature item is the White Wine Cake. It has layers of pastry and cream, with a white cake layer flavored with white wine in the middle. Since it is limited, it is better to come earlier if you really want to try it.

I would treat Xi Bing Wu as a snack stop rather than a sit-down food destination. If you are walking around Nanjing Road, it is easy to stop by, buy a few pastries, and get a small taste of Shanghai’s old Western-style bakery culture.

🔴Chinese: 国际饭店西饼屋, Xi Bing Wu
⏰Opening Hours: 08:00 – 20:00
📍Address: No. 170 Nanjing Rd (E), Huangpu District

29. KAISILING

30. Lao Da Chang

31. Wang Jia Sha

Wang Jia Sha has been around since 1945 and is one of those old snack shops that changes with the seasons. You may see eight treasure rice and rice cakes around Spring Festival, tangyuan during Lantern Festival, sweet green rice balls around Qingming, and freshly made meat mooncakes during Mid-Autumn Festival.

The signature dish to know is Steamed Crab Meat Dumplings. The filling uses fresh crab meat and soup that melts when steamed, so you get thin skin, fresh filling, and hot broth inside.

If you are interested in seasonal local snacks, Wang Jia Sha is especially useful. Just check what is available when you visit.

🔴Chinese: 王家沙, Wang Jia Sha
⏰Opening Hours: 07:00 – 18:30
📍Address: No. 805 Nanjing Rd (E), Jing’an District

32. Guang Ming Cun

Guang Ming Cun has been a popular Huaihai Road food stop for decades. It is especially known for Pork Mooncakes, and during Mid-Autumn Festival, the line can get very long.

The pork mooncakes here are cooked on a stove, which gives them a golden, crispy crust. Inside, there is a large savory meat filling, served hot and rich. It is very different from the sweet mooncakes many foreign visitors may know.

If your Shanghai trip is around Mid-Autumn Festival, Guang Ming Cun becomes even more interesting. But even outside that season, it is still a classic old Shanghai snack name to know.

🔴Chinese: 光明邨, Guang Ming Cun
⏰Opening Hours: 11:00 – 14:00 16:00 – 21:00
📍Address: No. 588 Huaihai Rd (M), Luwan District

33. Meixin Dianxin Shop

Meixin Dianxin Shop is a small but special old Shanghai spot. It has focused on tangyuan, or glutinous rice dumplings, for around ninety years, and it only has one store.

Every year before Spring Festival, people line up to buy boxes of uncooked tangyuan. That kind of queue says a lot. This is not a trendy snack shop. It is a place people return to because of habit, memory, and tradition.

Meixin mainly has two flavors: sweet sesame and fresh meat. The sweet sesame tangyuan has thin, soft skin and a rich sesame filling with a little pork lard flavor. The fresh meat version is juicy but not overly greasy, with a nice balance between the filling and the glutinous rice skin.

I would choose Meixin if you want to try a more local Shanghai dessert/snack that is not as obvious as xiao long bao or shengjian. It feels quieter, but very rooted in the city.

🔴Chinese: 美新点心店, Meixin Dianxin Dian
⏰Opening Hours: 08:00 – 19:00
📍Address: No. 105 Shanxi Rd (N), Jing’An District

🍜Best Noodle Restaurants in Shanghai

34. Lao Nong Tang

Lao Nong Tang feels very Shanghai even before the noodles arrive. It is tucked inside an old alley, with handwritten numbers, benches outside, yellow cloth overhead, and a blackboard-style price list. It is casual, a little busy, and not polished at all.

The signature bowl here is Pork Liver Noodles with Clams. It takes the classic idea of fried pork liver in brown sauce and turns it into a noodle dish. The pork liver is sliced thin and fried, then paired with shiitake mushrooms, fresh clams, scallion oil, and smooth thin noodles.

This is the kind of place I would choose when I want something local and atmospheric, not just a clean restaurant meal. The setting is part of the experience.

It may not be the easiest stop if you dislike queues or simple alley-style seating. But if you want one bowl of noodles that feels connected to everyday Shanghai, Lao Nong Tang is a fun one to try.

🔴Chinese: 沪西老弄堂, Huxi Laonongtang
⏰Opening Hours: 11:00 – 14:00 17:00 – 21:30
📍Address: No.139 – 1 Ruijin Rd (No.1), Huangpu District

35. Yu Xing Ji Noodle Restaurant

Yu Xing Ji originally comes from Suzhou and opened in Shanghai in late 2018. It became popular quite quickly, especially on weekends, so queues are common.

The restaurant is known for Crab Roes Noodles, Three Shrimp Noodles, and Crispy Chow Mein Noodles. Among them, Three Shrimp Noodles is the one that feels most seasonal and special. It usually appears around the Dragon Boat Festival and costs CNY 138 per bowl, so it is not a cheap everyday noodle.

The “three shrimp” refers to shrimp, shrimp eggs, and shrimp roes. They are quickly stir-fried with a little cooking wine, then placed over the noodles. The flavor is fresh, rich, and very Jiangnan.

I would not come here just because I need a quick bowl of noodles. Yu Xing Ji makes more sense if you are interested in seasonal noodle dishes and do not mind paying more for a special bowl.

🔴Chinese: 裕兴记面馆, Yu Xing Ji Mian Guan
⏰Opening Hours: 09:00 – 22:00
📍Address: No. 151 Hubei Rd, Huangpu District

36. Xie Huang Yu

Xie Huang Yu is all about crab roe and yellow croaker, so it is a good stop if you want a richer noodle bowl. It has two branches in Shanghai, and the Xintiandi location is especially popular.

The two main dishes to know are Crab Meat & Yellow Croaker Noodle Soup and Crab Roes Noodles. The first one comes with crab roe and fresh yellow croaker in the soup. The fish is boneless, which makes it much easier to eat, and potherb mustard adds a little extra flavor.

The Crab Roes Noodles are more direct: thick crab roe and crab meat over noodles, with ginger vinegar mixed in for a lighter umami taste.

This is not a plain, everyday noodle shop. The bowls are richer and more seafood-focused. I would choose Xie Huang Yu when I want something indulgent, but still casual enough for a simple lunch or dinner.

🔴Chinese: 蟹黄鱼, Xie Huang Yu
⏰Opening Hours: 10:00 – 23:30
📍Address: No. 158 Julu Rd, Huangpu District

37. Yun He Noodle Restaurant

Yun He Noodle Restaurant is a good place to look at if you like seasonal noodles. The menu changes through the year, with dishes like saury soup noodles and saury wontons in March, Three Shrimp Noodles around the Dragon Boat Festival, and crab noodles in autumn.

The Three Shrimp Noodles are one of the most famous options here. Like other Jiangnan-style versions, the topping uses shrimp, shrimp eggs, and shrimp roes. The flavor is fresh and rich, but what makes Yun He stand out is the noodle texture.

The noodles are chewy without being too hard, and they do not turn mushy. For me, that matters a lot. With this kind of topping, the noodles still need to hold their own.

Yun He is not just about one fixed signature dish. It is better if you enjoy checking what is in season and choosing based on the time of year.

🔴Chinese: 雲和面馆, Yun He Mian Guan
⏰Opening Hours: 11:00 – 15:30 17:00 – 21:30
📍Address: No. 1603 Huashan Rd, Changning District

38. Yi Gui He Noodle Restaurant

Yi Gui He is a reminder that a good bowl of noodles does not always need fancy toppings. Its signature dish is Plain Noodles, and the focus is really on the noodles and soup base.

The restaurant uses an old noodle rolling machine, which gives the dough a firmer, tighter texture. After cooking, the noodles are cooled in cold water, so they stay chewy rather than soft or sticky.

The soup base is made with vegetable and meat stock, soy sauce, spring onions, and a little lard. It sounds simple, but that is exactly why it works. There is nowhere for the basics to hide.

I would come here when I want to taste the noodle itself, not just crab roe, pork liver, or seafood toppings. It is a very simple bowl, but in Shanghai, simple noodles can be very satisfying.

🔴Chinese: 逸桂禾面馆, Yi Gui He Mian Guan
⏰Opening Hours: 06:30 – 20:30
📍Address: No. 686 Xizang Rd(S), Huangpu District

39. Tai Zhou Lao Liu Seafood Noodle Restaurant

Tai Zhou Lao Liu is for seafood noodles, especially if you want generous portions without going into a full seafood restaurant meal. The style is different from the more delicate Jiangnan crab roe noodles. It feels heartier and more coastal.

When the season is right, white pomfret and hairfish are the dishes to notice. The seafood is known for being fresh, without a strong fishy taste.

The soup base is what makes the noodles feel richer. Instead of simply adding water, the fish is fried first to bring out more umami from the bones. Then pork bone stock is added, before the bowl is finished with Taizhou wheat noodles.

I would pick this place if I wanted a filling seafood noodle meal rather than a small snack stop. It is especially useful if you like fish-based soups and do not want something too refined or expensive.

🔴Chinese: 台州老六海鲜面馆, Tai Zhou Lao Liu Hai Xian Mian Guan
⏰Opening Hours: 09:00 – 00:00
📍Address: No. 1314-1 Shangnan Rd, Pudong Xin District

40. Xian Wei Noodle Restaurant

Xian Wei Noodle Restaurant is memorable because of one unusual signature: Ox Tongue Noodles. You do not see ox tongue as the main topping in many Shanghai noodle shops, which already makes this place stand out.

The portion is generous, especially for a bowl priced at CNY 30. Ox tongue can easily become chewy, but here it is sliced thin and cooked with spices, so the texture stays tender and the flavor is clean.

The noodle base is also richer than a simple scallion oil and soy sauce version. A ladle of braised beef soup is added, along with homemade soy sauce. The boss’s homemade chili sauce and pickles give the bowl more layers.

I would not choose this if you only want the most classic Shanghai noodle experience. But if you like trying something a little different, Xian Wei is a fun final stop for this list.

🔴Chinese: 鲜味面馆, Xian Wei Mian Guan
⏰Opening Hours: 07:00 – 19:30
📍Address: No. 61 Yangshupu Rd, Hongkou District