Shanghai

I had so much to blog about Shanghai I had to put them in separate posts. First things' first.....

FOOD

Every time someone asks why I visit Shanghai so much – I tell them it's all about the food (other than meeting my tailors and buying fabric of course). You can get a wide variety of quality food at very reasonable prices.

Here's a list of restaurants I have personally tried and recommend:

1) Xin Ji Shi (Jesse in English)

41 Tian Ping Lu, Tel: 6282 9260

This is my ABSOLUTE Favourite Shanghainese rest. It has an outlet in Xintiandi which is not as authentic. Its worth taking the cab to Tian Ping Lu for the Real Deal! Try the claypot tao yu pork (5 stars!), beancurd cold dish, jellyfish with vinegrette cold dish, tau pok cold dish (except this one’s not cold), deep fried huang yu (‘yellow fish’ literal translation) and soup which has crab, fish and prawn which name I don’t know. Reservations required. It’s a very small restaurant but turns around tables very fast.

2) Crystal Jade or Din Tai Fung

2nd Floor, Xintiandi, Tel: 6385 8752

The xiao long bao is exceptionally nice in Crystal Jade and Din Tai Fung – better than those served in Singapore in either of their respective branches. Both are also really “value for money” meals. Go before 12 noon for dim sum at Crystal Jade on Sundays to beat the crowds. You can find both at Xintiandi. Worth making reservations although the queue moved quite fast on a week night.

3) Whisk

1250 Huai Hai Zhong Lu, Tel 54047770. Near Hua Ting Lu.
Serves great chocolate milkshakes but the food is only average. Reservations weren’t needed when we went on a week day.

4) La Platane (opened by Justin Quek of Les Amis)

373 Huang Pi Nan Lu

This is french fusion - when you reserve, ask to sit at the brasserie not the restaurant unless you fancy a fancy dinner. I liked the foie gras xiao long bao and mushroom soup served in a cup and mushroom risotto and duck special of the day. Have heard not so great reviews of their steak generally.

5) Charms Restaurant at Raffles City

Tel: 6340 50585

If you happen to be in the area (near Nanjing Lu or the Pedestrian Street/People’s Square or Renmin guangchang), pop in for lunch - the bread with ice cream is good! Strange, i know. We also had a couple of other good Shanghainese dishes like fish, brinjal but I can’t remember them distinctly. This place doesn’t accept reservations at lunchtime.

6) Shanghai Lao Zhan (Ye Olde Station)

201 Caoxi Bei Lu, Xujiahui. Tel: 6427 2233

This is a touristy place cos you eat in an old railway carriage which was quite cool. The Shanghainese food was ok – somewhat salty but not too bad. When you reserve, tell them you want to sit in the railway carriage, if not, they might seat you in the dining room instead.

7) Kommune at Taikang Lu has THE BEST English breakfast - 3 sunny side ups, bacon, mushrooms, potato wedges….. and the best hot chocolate served in the huge cup.

Check out the huge cup!!

Cute fish tank behind us at Kommune

8) 1221

1221 Yan'an Xi Lu. Tel: 6213 6585.

You need to take a cab there – its 30 minutes from the city centre (i.e. Renminguangchang) but the food was good and very cheap. S$50 or S$60 in all for 7 dishes for 4 persons with free dessert.

9) New Heights

No. 3 on the Bund, 7F, 3 Zhong Shan Dong Yi Road. Tel: 6321 0909.

Go to New Heights for its great patio & excellent outdoor view, but not for the food. I’ve had good salad there but otherwise the food is expensive and not great at all. Service is also bad. I hear that the food in Laris on the lower floor is better (although more expensive). If you’re there for a special day like an anniversary or birthday, book The Cupola. Its an exclusive dining table in a two storey domed structure on the top of 3 on the Bund. The 2nd storey seats just 2 and is supposed to be really romantic!!

View of the Bund from New Heights

Use smartshanghai.com for the locations/addresses of any place you need.

Next post: Recommendation from friends living in Shanghai for more food places