What is special about Shanghai cuisine? Top 10+ Shanghai specialties that attract tourists

Shanghai tourism is increasingly attracting a large number of tourists thanks to the harmonious combination of modern landscapes and unique traditional culture. Not only known for its outstanding attractions, Shanghai also fascinates many people with its diverse and attractive cuisine. If you are planning to explore this city but are still wondering what to enjoy, do not miss the list of unique and most favorite Shanghai dishes that we introduce below. Shanghai's delicious dishes not only have rich and sophisticated flavors but also reflect the unique Chinese culinary culture, promising to bring you an unforgettable culinary experience.

1. Xiao Long Bao

Xiao long bao (Image source: Collected)

Xiao Long Bao, also known as Xiao Long Bao, is one of the most famous and favorite dishes of Shanghai cuisine . This dish scores points with its thin, soft, smooth crust that hugs the rich meat filling and sweet soup inside. When enjoying, you will feel the rich, delicious taste that blends perfectly between the aroma of soy sauce and the natural richness of the filling. In particular, Xiao Long Bao is often steamed and served in traditional bamboo baskets, creating a gentle aroma that stimulates the taste buds from the first sight.

In addition to the traditional pork filling, xiao long bao also has a variety of fillings such as fresh seafood, fresh shrimp and vegetables, satisfying the diverse tastes of diners. Each small and lovely dumpling is a delicate combination of Shanghai's culinary culture and unique processing techniques, making the culinary experience complete and unforgettable.

2. Steamed hairy crab

Steamed hairy crab (Image source: Collected)

The second traditional dish in Shanghai mentioned in this list is steamed crab. This dish is famous because the main ingredient is a special type of crab (hairy crab) caught from the river. This type of crab usually only appears in late autumn and winter. If you want to be sure to enjoy this dish, you should visit Shanghai in winter.

This dish is prepared according to the following process: after being caught, the crabs are tied tightly with ropes, placed in bamboo steamers and steamed. In addition, to enhance the flavor, a few other ingredients are added such as vinegar.

The special thing about this dish is that it distinguishes between male and female crabs. Local people have their own ideas about when to eat male crabs and when to eat female crabs. To enjoy this dish, you will have to work very hard, because it is not cheap. However, the taste is completely worth the cost. If you visit Shanghai, you must definitely enjoy this extremely attractive dish.

3. Rice cake with ribs

Rib rice cake is one of the famous dishes of Shanghai cuisine with a history of more than half a century, attracting many domestic and foreign diners. The dish is not only nutritious but also brings a unique taste experience with each large piece of rib, tender meat and crispy outer layer. The harmonious sweet and salty flavor combined with soft and chewy rice cake and the characteristic mild spicy sauce of Shanghai creates a perfect combination. This is the ideal choice for those who want to explore traditional Chinese cuisine with rich flavors and unique cooking style.

4. Fried dumplings

Fried dumplings (Image source: Collected)

Unlike traditional steamed buns, Shanghai's fried buns attract diners with their crispy bottom, creating an eye-catching golden crust. Inside is a soft filling, accompanied by a hot, sweet soup that satisfies even the most demanding people. The characteristic aroma of roasted sesame seeds sprinkled lightly on the surface of the bun further enhances its appeal, making this Shanghai cuisine a great choice when exploring local cuisine.

5. Golden crab shell

Golden crab shell cake (Image source: Collected)

Many people often mistake the golden crab shell for crab meat, but it is actually a typical cake served with tea. The name of this Shanghainese dish comes from the crispy crust covered with bright yellow sesame seeds, similar to the color of a boiled crab shell. The golden crab shell has a variety of fillings, from savory fillings including green onions, pork, crab powder and fresh shrimp, to sweet fillings such as roses, jujubes and fatty green beans. This is a dish not to be missed when exploring the unique cuisine of Shanghai, attracting both local diners and international tourists.

6. Scallion Noodles

Scallion noodles (Photo source: Collected)

Scallion noodles are a prominent specialty of Shanghai cuisine, simply made with two main ingredients: fresh noodles and fresh green onions. The flavor of the dish is highlighted by the sauce made from fermented soy sauce and a little light wine, creating a sweet taste and unforgettable aroma. The plus point of this noodle dish is that it is prepared without frying with much oil, helping to retain its natural freshness while being good for your health. Shanghai Scallion noodles are not only an ideal choice for those who love light dishes but also suitable for those looking for a traditional, sophisticated culinary experience of this land.

7. Mixed rice

Shanghai Pilaf rice stands out with its diverse combination of fresh ingredients such as bacon, cool green vegetables, sticky rice, crispy carrots, colorful bell peppers, nutritious beans and fragrant green onions. These ingredients are quickly stir-fried in hot oil, helping to preserve their natural flavors, then mixed well with white rice to create a rich dish, harmonious in color and flavor. This is one of the favorite dishes of Shanghai cuisine, not only because of the variety of ingredients but also because of the sophisticated preparation, captivating visitors when experiencing the cuisine of this land.

8. Braised Pork

Braised pork (Photo source: Collected)

When exploring Shanghai cuisine, if you do not know what special dish to try, braised pork is the perfect suggestion. This dish is prepared by stewing thoroughly cleaned pork for many hours, combined with caramel water and a rich sauce mixture from Shaoxing, soy sauce and black bean sauce. The finished product is soft and fragrant pieces of meat, imbued with a natural light sweetness and eye-catching cockroach color, bringing a culinary experience true to the traditional flavor of Shanghai. Braised pork is not only popular in local eateries but also an ideal choice for those who want to explore the quintessence of Chinese dishes with rich flavors and sophistication in cooking methods.

9. Wine buns

Shanghai is not only famous for its rich traditional dishes but also known as the “paradise of dumplings”. Among them, wine dumplings are a special dessert originating from the neighboring Jiangsu province. This dish impresses with its aroma combined with the strong taste of wine, creating an unforgettable culinary experience for diners. With a soft crust and a filling filled with the fragrant aroma of wine, wine dumplings are the perfect choice for those who want to explore more deeply the unique and sophisticated cuisine of Shanghai.

10. Eight Treasures Braised Duck

One of the most famous and attractive Shanghainese dishes is the Eight Treasures Stewed Duck. This specialty impresses with its unique combination of eight traditional ingredients including young bamboo shoots, dried scallops, glutinous rice, minced pork, Mandarin mushrooms, mixed nuts, chestnuts and duck gizzards stuffed inside the duck's belly. The duck is then stewed for many hours so that the ingredients blend and absorb the special spices, creating a dish with soft duck meat, rich broth and an eye-catching golden color. Eight Treasures Stewed Duck is not only a traditional delicacy of Shanghai cuisine but also very nutritious, suitable for enjoying on special occasions or when you want to explore the unique culinary culture of this land.

11. Shaokao Grilled Skewers

If you are passionate about exploring street food, Shaokao grilled meat skewers are definitely an experience not to be missed when coming to Shanghai. This dish is made from a variety of ingredients such as fresh meat, fresh seafood, along with seasonal vegetables and typical spices, creating an attractive golden skewer, with an unforgettable spicy flavor. To increase the deliciousness, you should enjoy Shaokao with fresh green vegetables, helping to balance the taste and highlight the unique features of Shanghai cuisine. This is one of the most popular Shanghai cuisines because of the blend of traditional flavors and modern features, very suitable for those who want to learn about Chinese street food culture.

12. Mala Tang Spicy Soup

Mala Tang Spicy Soup (Image Source: Collected)

In Shanghai cuisine, Mala Tang is known as a special spicy soup with the “mala” flavor – a combination of the hot and numbing taste of chili and typical spices. Mala Tang’s broth has a seductive richness, not too strong but enough to stimulate the taste buds of the diner. This dish is often served with a variety of ingredients such as meatballs, fresh vegetables, soft tofu and fresh noodles, creating a rich and balanced culinary experience. If you are learning about Shanghai cuisine, Mala Tang is an indispensable choice to fully experience the essence of the true spicy and hot flavor.

Discovering Shanghai cuisine is not only a journey to enjoy unique flavors but also a way to deeply experience the traditional culinary culture of this bustling city. Hopefully, the list of Shanghai specialties shared in the article will help you easily choose and enjoy delicious dishes rich in the essence of Chinese cuisine when traveling here. Do not forget that each dish has its own story, contributing to the undeniable appeal of Shanghai on the world culinary map.

Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/am-thuc-thuong-hai-v17280.aspx