Xiaolongbao, the famous soup dumpling, is a Shanghai culinary icon. These delicate steamed buns filled with hot soup and meat are a must-try for any visitor.
Eating well in Shanghai is mostly a matter of ordering the right things in the right places. The dishes below are the ones locals order without thinking about it.
xiaolongbao is the dish to start with. It appears everywhere from street stalls to formal restaurants, and the version you get at a busy, plainly fitted-out shop is usually the better one.
Beyond the headline dish, look for xiaolongbao, shengjianbao and red-braised pork. Regional cooking here leans on seasoning rather than subtlety, and the heat level is negotiable if you say so clearly.
Busy is the best quality signal. A full room at an odd hour means fast turnover and fresh ingredients; an empty dining room at peak time is a reason to keep walking.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Signature dish | xiaolongbao |
| Also try | The regional noodle and street dishes |
| Best time | Lunch for the busiest kitchens |
| Spice level | Ask for it mild if you prefer |
Some of it. Kitchens will usually adjust the heat if you ask clearly before ordering.
Choose stalls with high turnover and food cooked to order in front of you, and you will be fine.
For most casual places, no. Well-known restaurants at weekends are the exception.
Last Updated: July 2026
Sichuan Baijiu: Yibin and the Liquor Towns
lao huang194Sichuan Hotpot Beyond Chengdu: Regional Differenceslao huang194Sichuan Street Food Guide: Snacks Across the Provincelao huang194
Chengdu Street Food Safety: Eating Well Without Getting Sicklao huang194Chengdu Spice Tolerance: Eating Sichuan Food Without Sufferinglao huang194Chengdu Food Tours: Are They Worth Itlao huang194Chengdu Cooking Class: Learning to Cook Sichuan Foodlao huang194Chengdu Noodle Guide: The Bowls Worth Findinglao huang194Chengdu Breakfast Guide: How the City Starts the Daylao huang194Chengdu Vegetarian and Vegan Guide: What to Orderlao huang194
