Top 10 Hidden Gems for Authentic Shanghai Cuisine: A Delicious Journey with Friends

I've lived in Shanghai for five years, and anyone I invite to eat with me is basically a lifelong friend. It’s not about the cost; it’s about the whole experience of waiting in line, finding the place, sharing tables, and dodging the owner's eye roll while still managing to laugh. The ten spots below are my go-to favorites that I only bring my good friends to. I've laid them out in a route that works for a day of eating without any backtracking, leaving you satisfied and with plenty of Instagram-worthy shots.

1. something｜Wukang Road

Address: No. 98 Wukang Road
Hours: 11:00, closed on Sundays
Must-try: Scallion oil noodles + Fried pork chop
Average cost: 45 RMB

The first place I brought my out-of-town friends was here. There's no sign out front, just "something" written on the white wall in pencil. You step in to find six tables and the owner chilling at the bar listening to vinyl. Mix the scallion oil noodles for ten seconds before eating; every strand is coated in sauce, and the pork chop is bigger than your face. Dip it in spicy soy sauce, and you'll understand what "Shanghai gentleness" is all about.
Tips: Get there before noon, or the pork chop will sell out. Afterward, detour to Anfu Road for a coffee—it’s just a three-minute walk.

2. San Dian Taiwanese Braised Pork Rice｜Fumin Road

Address: No. 183 Fumin Road
Hours: 11:30-14:30, 17:30-20:30
Must-try: Braised pork rice + Braised tofu + Traditional red tea
Average cost: 38 RMB

A short taxi ride from Wukang Road takes you to Fumin Road. You’ll see a hundred-year-old wutong tree right in front. The restaurant is tucked behind it. The braised pork rice uses black-haired pork with the perfect mix of lean and fatty meat, and the sauce is subtly sweet—no oil needed when mixing with rice; it’s still delicious. I like to crush the braised tofu and mix it in for extra texture.
Tips: Cash only, and the lady out front will remind you to get change, so don't be that person.

3. Lao Taigong｜Dapulu Road

Address: No. 284 Dapulu Road
Hours: 11:00-14:00, 17:00-21:30
Must-try: Sea duck pot, seafood rice
Average cost: 128 RMB

Get there before 2 PM to snag a sea duck pot. The ducks come from Xiangshan, Ningbo, and are marinated then air-dried. They pile a layer of cabbage at the bottom, and after ten minutes of cooking, the duck fat seeps down, making the cabbage even tastier than the meat. The seafood rice is mixed in at the end, and the staff will help toss it up—crispy rice and bouncy seafood, every grain of rice glistening.
Tips: They only take reservations for four or more people, so if it’s just two of you, arrive early. Grab a soda next door to make the wait less awkward.

4. Hongxing Large Bun｜Dapuqiao

Address: Basement 2, Riyueguang, Dapuqiao
Hours: 7:00-19:00
Must-try: Fresh meat large bun, shao mai
Price per piece: 4 RMB

After Lao Taigong, head down to the basement level on your left where you’ll see the green sign. The large buns come out every hour, and if you're lucky, you’ll only wait five minutes in line. The dough is thick, and when you bite into it, the soup pours out—suck it up first to avoid burning your tongue. I usually pack a couple to take home for breakfast, and they’re just as good after 40 seconds in the microwave.
Tips: They only accept Alipay or WeChat; don’t hold up the line with cash!

5. Hengchun Yuan｜Changshu Road

Address: No. 137 Changshu Road
Hours: 11:30-14:00, 17:30-20:30
Must-try: Braised pork rice + Milkfish soup
Average cost: 42 RMB

Get off at Changshu Road Subway station and walk three minutes. You’ll find an old sign that reads "Hengchun Yuan." The braised pork rice here has a sweeter Teriyaki-style sauce compared to San Dian's, so you pair it with pickled radish to cut the richness. The milkfish soup is boneless and filled with ginger, perfect for warming up your belly. With only eight seats in the place, sharing tables is normal, so don’t be shy about it.
Tips: The owner speaks Minnan dialect, so signaling with your hands is enough—no need to shout.

6. Northeast Four Seasons Dumpling House｜Huaihai Middle Road

Address: No. 1240 Huaihai Middle Road
Hours: 11:00-21:00
Must-try: Three-flavor dumplings, sauced bone
Average cost: 50 RMB

A quick taxi ride takes you from Changshu Road to Huaihai Middle Road. The restaurant is hidden behind an office building with a row of green train seats out front. The three-flavor dumplings are made fresh on the spot; the wrappers are chewy, and you’ll find whole shrimp inside. The sauced bones are delightfully messy; use gloves when eating, as the meat falls off the bone and tastes fantastic with garlic soy sauce.
Tips: You can order dumplings by the half pound; half a pound is usually enough for one woman.

7. Xiangjiang Nanyuan｜Jing'an Temple

Address: No. 1856 Nanjing West Road, exit 1 Jing'an Temple Subway Station
Hours: 14:00-18:00
Must-try: Silk-stocking milk tea + Pineapple bun
Average cost: 35 RMB

After the dumplings, it’s a ten-minute walk to Jing'an Temple for some afternoon tea. You’ll find Xiangjiang Nanyuan at a small door at the back of the mall—it’s like stepping into Hong Kong. The silk-stocking milk tea is bold in flavor, and the pineapple bun is freshly baked with a slab of ice-cold butter. I always cut the butter into three strips to take a pic before biting in—the melting butter is just a bonus!
Tips: It’s take-out only, no seats, so grab it and enjoy it on a bench in Jing'an Park under the sun.

8. Lanshan Breakfast｜Xintiandi

Address: No. 380 Huabei South Road, exit 3 Xintiandi subway
Hours: 7:00-13:00
Must-try: Savory soybean milk, rice ball
Average cost: 22 RMB

After an early start the next day, head to Xintiandi for breakfast. Lanshan Breakfast is like Shanghai's own "midnight diner"—lines form as early as 7 AM. The savory soybean milk is made fresh, with tiny dried shrimp, pickled vegetables, and chunks of youtiao mixed in—one bowl will make you break a sweat. The rice ball is made with glutinous rice and stuffed with meat floss and salted egg yolk; one is usually enough to fill you up.
Tips: Rice balls sell out before 11 AM, so arrive early if you want one.

9. Tan Jie Hunan Cuisine｜Pudong Avenue

Address: No. 580 Pudong Avenue
Hours: 11:00-14:00, 17:00-21:00
Must-try: Stir-fried beef, chopped pepper fish head
Average cost: 88 RMB

Take Line 2 to Lujiazui, switch to Line 14, and get off at Pudong Avenue, then walk five minutes. Tan Jie is from Changsha, with pots that pack a punch. The beef stir-fry uses tea oil, super spicy but fragrant—it's hard to stop. The fish head is freshly prepared and served with house-pickled chopped peppers; you can add noodles at the end to mix it all in.
Tips: The spice level is fixed; if you can't handle heat, buy some probiotic yogurt next door before diving in.

10. Jianguo 328｜Jianguo West Road

Address: No. 328 Jianguo West Road
Hours: 11:30-14:00, 17:30-21:30
Must-try: Dipping noodles, soft-boiled egg
Average cost: 68 RMB

For the final stop, get off at Jiashan Road on Line 9, and it’s a six-minute walk. Jianguo 328 looks like an old Western-style house; inside, there’s a Japanese bar setting. The noodle dipping sauce is simmered for six hours with pork, chicken, and fish bones, super thick. The noodles are chewy and meant to be dipped in—you can dilute with broth at the end so nothing goes to waste. The soft-boiled egg is a must; perfect amount of salt, with a runny yolk.
Tips: The portion of dipping noodles is generous; ladies can order a small size, and extra noodles are free, so don’t hesitate to ask.

One-day Itinerary Table

Save this list on your phone; the route is efficient, and your wallet won’t suffer too much. Your good friends will definitely treat you next time!