As the city lights turn on and the aroma of freshly cooked food fills the air, Shanghai's night markets come alive with activity. Here are five spots that offer a mix of late-night snacks, local character, and relaxed evening strolls.

Sijing Night Market

泗泾夜市

Sijing Night Market is one of Shanghai's best-known open-air food markets. Located next to Metro Line 9, it has long been a popular destination for visitors seeking a wide range of street food in one place.

Stretching across several hundred meters, the market features more than 100 stalls serving a wide variety of snacks and dishes from across China. Vendors begin setting up around 4:30 pm, and the market quickly fills with the sounds of grills, frying food, conversations, and hungry diners.

Visitors can try a wide range of street food, including rice wine, shaved ice, glutinous rice cakes, duck neck, and barbecue. With so much to choose from, it is easy to spend an entire evening sampling your way through the market.

Address: No 2 Sibao Road, Songjiang district

Open: Daily, 4:30 pm to midnight; weekends until 2 am

Seoul Night Market

首尔夜市

Seoul Night Market in Minhang district is one of Shanghai's best-known destinations for South Korean food. Now in its 16th year, the market has recently undergone an upgrade and features an expanded lineup of South Korean restaurants, beauty, and dessert shops.

Several popular South Korean brands have even opened their first stores here.

Twozzim, a well-known South Korean braised chicken brand, serves its signature Cream Rose Braised Chicken, which combines traditional braising techniques with tomato and cream-based sauces.

Yogerhoney made its China debut here with its yogurt ice cream. Among its offerings, the honeycomb ice cream is particularly popular with visitors seeking a lighter dessert.

The market is also home to Hwahae's first store in China. Known in South Korea for its beauty product reviews and recommendations, the platform offers visitors an opportunity to explore South Korean beauty products in one place.

Address: No 1078 Hongquan Road, Minhang district

Open: Daily, 4 pm to 10 pm

Daxue Road Night Market

大学路夜市

Daxue Road is one of Shanghai's most distinctive neighborhoods. By day, the area is known for its bookstores, cafes, independent shops, and relaxed atmosphere.

As evening approaches, the neighborhood takes on a different character. Street food stalls, restaurants, bars, and live music add energy to the area, while illuminated storefronts make it an inviting place to linger.

Unlike beer-focused night markets, Daxue Road mixes dining, culture, and nightlife. Visitors can browse local shops, sit outdoors, listen to music, or simply walk around the area at an unhurried pace.

Address: Intersection of Daxue Road and Zhixin Road, Yangpu district

Open: Every evening after sunset

Shangyuan Road Night Market

上元路夜市

Shangyuan Road Night Market has more than 50 food stalls serving flavors from across China and is especially popular with students from the nearby universities. Throughout the evening, the area fills with the sounds of grills, shaken lemon tea, and groups of friends gathering after class.

The barbecue area is one of the busiest sections, with grilled pork belly, whole squid, and other popular skewers and barbecue dishes. Visitors can also find South Korean fried chicken, Changsha-style stinky tofu, crispy chicken fillets, and other familiar street snacks.

One of the market's biggest draws is its affordability. Visitors can try a wide range of dishes without breaking the bank.

Address: Shangyuan Road Shared Area, adjacent to the Hucheng Ring Road university town, Lin-gang Special Area

Open: Daily, 8 pm to midnight

Wusong (Noah) Night Market

吴淞（诺亚）夜市

Wusong (Noah) Night Market in Baoshan district combines food, entertainment, and family activities, making it an ideal choice for visitors of different ages.

Rows of food stalls line the streets, serving dishes from different parts of China. Popular choices include grilled skewers, clam vermicelli cooked in foil, and cheese durian pastries.

One feature that sets it apart is its children's play area. While adults enjoy food and drinks, younger visitors have a place to play nearby.

Address: No 318 Mudanjiang Road, Baoshan district

Open: Daily, 4 pm to 11 pm

Source: Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism