Top 9 famous Shanghai food streets for food lovers

When it comes to Shanghai, there are not only skyscrapers and bustling shopping areas but also a diverse and rich street food paradise. Shanghai Food Street is a must-see destination for those who love to explore the unique Chinese culinary culture. Here, visitors will experience countless traditional dishes from hot and spicy hot pot, fragrant fried noodles to flavorful grilled skewers. Let's explore the most prominent food streets of Shanghai, where the essence of street food converges and brings unforgettable experiences to every travel journey.

1. Food Street in Xiangyang

Food street in Tuong Duong (Photo source: Collected)

If you want to explore the traditional Shanghai street food , Xiangyang Road is the place you should not miss. This Shanghai food street is located at the intersection of Xiangyang Road and Changle Road – the center of the famous old concession.

Here, small street stalls offer a variety of delicious specialties such as steamed dumplings, stir-fried fresh noodles and fried turnip cakes – all with original flavors, prepared right before your eyes.

Mornings are the busiest time in Xiangyang Street, when locals stop by for a meal before work. The lively atmosphere, hot food, and enticing aromas will surely make you remember the taste of this place forever and want to come back again.
2. Southern Yunnan Food Street

Street food (Photo source: Collected)

The areas around South Yunnan Road are a feast for the senses, with the smell of smoke and the sounds of chatter from the stalls.

South Yunnan is also famous for its long-standing culinary street, dating back to the 19th century, with some stalls claiming it is over 100 years old. You cannot miss the dumplings, pasta, classic Cantonese dim sum (snack meals), and Mongolian hot pot. This is also a place to refuel after visiting People's Square, which is right next to this street.

3. South Bund Fabric Market

South Bund Fabric Market (Photo source: Collected)

As you can tell from the name, this market specializes in selling fabrics. Coming here, you will be quickly tailored by tailors to your wishes, preferences, and measurements. Including wedding dresses or custom-made items.

However, one reason that tourists come to this fabric market is the stalls with street food right around the fabric stalls. Each stall will bring you a different dish, creating a mix of dishes that will make you enjoy your visit to the fabric market.

4. God Street Old Town

Stretching along the bustling Fuyou Road in Huangpu District, Shanghai’s food street is home to some of the city’s most famous eateries. The area was once the entertainment hub of the Ming and Qing dynasties, with its historic restaurants and small stalls.

After many renovations and upgrades, the neighborhood has been designed to be more harmonious, blending with the ancient beauty of the neighboring Yuyuan Garden. This is a paradise of unique street food that you cannot miss when coming to Shanghai, from steamed buns, crispy fried rice cakes to delicious crab shell cakes. The diversity and uniqueness of the specialties here will definitely give you an unforgettable culinary experience, completely different from any other street in the city.

If you are a lover of exploring culinary culture and experiencing traditional dishes, Shanghai's culinary district is the ideal destination for your journey.

5. West Fangbang Road

Located deep in the Old Quarter of Shanghai, Fangbang Road is home to one of the city’s largest and busiest street food markets. Despite its somewhat hidden location, this place always attracts a large number of tourists and locals to explore. When walking through the narrow alleys, visitors will feel the typical flavor of Shanghai’s food street with diverse dishes such as stinky tofu, fresh crayfish, giant lobster, steamed wontons, crispy fried dumplings and attractive fried noodles.

Behind the large stalls are rows of smaller stalls, serving affordable street food that still retains the unique and traditional flavors of this land. This is definitely a must-see stop for those who are passionate about exploring street food and authentic Shanghai food culture.

6. Kangding Lu / Yanping Lu intersection

In this area, the food stalls are always bustling from around 10pm to 2:30am the next morning, becoming an ideal choice for those who want to experience a night of eating and exploring the unique cuisine in Shanghai. The space here is managed by a couple with the enthusiastic help of family members, creating a friendly and close atmosphere for visitors.

When you come to this intersection in Shanghai’s food district, you should choose a small table to comfortably enjoy the typical fast food dishes. The grilled meat skewers – from chicken to pork – are a must-try delicacy. In addition, you can combine it with a cold glass of beer sold right at the Family Mart convenience store next door, giving you a lively and unforgettable night dining experience.

7. Intersection of Xinzha Lu and Wanhangdu Lu

At the intersection of Xinzha Lu and Wanhangdu Lu, you can easily find a local food stall famous for its traditional hot pot and Lianhua grocery store. The owner is a dedicated chef who is famous for his delicious fried noodles and fried rice. What makes this stall special is not only the delicious taste but also the generosity of the owner who always adds a lot of meat to each serving. In particular, he is fluent in English and very friendly, attracting many international tourists to enjoy Shanghai street food. Besides, you can also enjoy delicious skewers, of which grilled squid is a favorite choice of many diners.

8. Zhenning Lu and Yuyuan Lu Intersection

Shanghai cuisine (Photo source: Collected)

This intersection stands out with a large food stall run by a group of young people, open from evening to late at night to serve both locals and foreign tourists. The space is designed to be intimate with tables placed on the sidewalk, accompanied by convenient paper towels, creating a comfortable feeling when enjoying food. Because of the large number of customers, you may have to wait a bit, but in return, the diverse menu with grilled skewers such as frog, beef, scallops, pork and mushrooms will make you absolutely satisfied. The marinated skewers are evenly grilled over charcoal, a typical culinary experience not to be missed when exploring Shanghai's culinary district.

9. Ngo Giang Street Food Street

If you want to explore a more modern and quiet Shanghai food street, Wujiang Street is the ideal destination. Located near West Nanjing Road and easily accessible by subway, this street offers a gentle culinary experience, away from the noise of other crowded streets. In particular, you cannot miss the famous Sheng Jian Bao with crispy skin, pan-fried bread with rich meat filling or fresh fruit juices. This is the ideal place to enjoy Shanghai specialties while enjoying shopping and relaxing space.

Exploring Shanghai’s food streets is a great way to fully experience the unique culture and flavors of this modern city. Whether you are a fan of traditional dishes or want to try something new, the bustling food streets always welcome you with a variety of attractive options. The journey to explore Shanghai’s cuisine will definitely leave you with many memorable memories and make you want to come back many times. Don’t forget to plan in detail so you don’t miss any special culinary experiences on your upcoming trip!

Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/khu-pho-am-thuc-thuong-hai-v17266.aspx