Best Shanghai Street Food - Sheng Jian Bao - Pan Fried Dumplings 生煎包

Shēngjiānbāo 生煎包 though less globally famous than their dainty, prettier sister the xiaolongbao 小笼包, is probably more popular with Shanghainese judging by how ubiquitous it is on the streets of the bustling city. (Locals call it 生煎馒头)

Roujiamo Must Try Shanghai Street Food - Chinese Street Burger 肉夹馍

This Chinese street sandwich found in Shanghai and all over China is often touted as the "Chinese hamburger". It's a little misleading 😝 These 肉夹馍 or "meat sandwiches" are sold in the streets of China since the Tang Dynasty's 大唐开元年间 period (713 - 741 AD) predating the American hamburger by almost two millennium.

Parents-in-Law Biscuit. Famous Shanghai Street Food - My Favourite Street Bread 公婆饼

Despite breakneck speed redevelopment that has paved over many old food streets with glittering glass towers, Shanghai is still a street food haven. I love the street breads of Shanghai and my favourite is 公婆饼 or literally "parents-in-laws bread".

The other Shanghai Food Craze Lobster 🦞 Xiaolongxia Crayfish in Xiaolongbao City

When in Shanghai, it is hard to miss the restaurants, shops and stalls selling xialongxia 小龍蝦 "baby lobsters" or crayfish or yabbies or crawfish. They are everywhere, at every corner you turn especially during the peak crayfish season from May to Sep, coinciding with Shanghai's sizzling, oppressively humid summers.

Hai Di Lao Pudong Shanghai 海底捞火锅

Since arriving in Shanghai, Mary has been wanting to show us Hai Di Lao 海底捞火锅, the famous Chinese hot pot (known as steamboat in Singapore / Malaysia) chain here. Founded in 1994 in Sichuan, there are now over 250 Hai Di Lao outlets around the world including two in Singapore. This was my first time in a Hai Di Lao restaurant.

Shanghai Yuyuan Gardens Nanxiang Xiao Long Bao Dumplings 豫园南翔馒头店

Though Yuyuan Gardens of today is a tourist trap, no tour of Shanghai is complete without a day jostling with locals and other tourists here.

Zhujiajao Water Town near Shanghai, China - Johor Kaki Travels 朱家角

We took an hour long car ride out of Shanghai, to the picturesque tourist water village of Zhujiajao 朱家角. It is similar to other traditional sites in China turned into tourist attractions with ubiquitous trinket and food shops occupying once village homes.

Shanghai Hairy Crabs 🦀 How Not to be Sold a Fake Yangcheng Hairy Crab 陽澄湖大閘蟹

Eating Hairy Crabs 大閘蟹 is a centuries old tradition in Shanghai. Hairy Crab season in Shanghai is like durian season in Malaysia and Singapore.