As the Chinese New Year approaches, signs of the season begin to emerge across Shanghai. The familiar aroma of cured meats returns, festive pastries reappear on shop counters, and crowds gather once again at long-established stores throughout the city.

For many locals, preparing for the Chinese New Year goes beyond purchasing food or gifts. It follows a time-honored routine shaped by habit and trust: knowing where to shop, what to buy, and which brands have proven their worth over generations.

Trusted brands for classic Chinese New Year flavors

Founded in 1851, Xinghualou has long been a fixture on Shanghai households' Chinese New Year shopping lists.

Its eight-