In Huangpu district, every street harbors delectable culinary secrets. Today, let's delve into the district's gastronomic world and embark on an extraordinary treasure hunt of flavor.

Red House Restaurant

Classic delicacies:

- Breaded Pork Chop

- Russian Borscht

- Escargots

Hidden gem: Italian Ice Cream

Founded in 1935 on Xiafei Road (now Huaihai Road commercial street), Red House Restaurant set the benchmark for Western-style cuisine in 1980s-90s Shanghai, and is beloved by many local celebrities.

Stepping into this historic French restaurant, the three signature dishes—Breaded Pork Chop, Russian Borscht, and Escargots—are essentials that evoke memories of old Shanghai.

Their dessert, Italian Ice Cream, is a must-have to cool down in summer. Fine, chopped walnuts are hidden within smooth, creamy ice cream, drizzled with an artistic brown chocolate sauce and adorned with cantaloupe decorations. With each spoonful, sweetness envelops the palate, reminiscent of a gentle summer breeze.

Address: No 845 Middle Huaihai Road

Wang Bao He Restaurant

Classic delicacies:

- Chrysanthemum Crab (Ju Hua Dui Xie Xing)

- Braised Prawns with Crab Roe and Meat (Xie Fen Ming Xia Juan)

Hidden gem: Traditional Fermented Goods

Established in 1744, with a history spanning 280 years, Wang Baohe Restaurant is revered in Shanghai as the "Ancestor of Liquor and Crab King". Its crab feasts are cherished by gastronomists far and wide.

Chrysanthemum Crab and Braised Prawns with Crab Roe and Meat are its two most renowned crab dishes, meticulously prepared by extracting crab meat and roe and cooking them with utmost care.

In addition to its crab specialties, Wang Baohe Restaurant offers fermented goods made with unique craftsmanship, and prized as culinary treasures.

To this day, Wang Baohe Restaurant continues to use the most traditional yeast mash, employing ancient methods and cooking utensils. The yeast mash is crushed, Shaoxing wine is added, and the essence is extracted through a meticulous five to six-hour fermentation process, allowing the ingredients to fully absorb the rich aroma of the yeast mash. With each bite, a refreshing fragrance lingers, leaving a memorable aftertaste.

Address: No 603 Fuzhou Road

Shen Da Cheng

Classic delicacies:

- Glutinous Rice Filled with Bean Paste (Tiao Tou Gao)

- Sticky Rice Ball Filled with Red Bean Paste and Black Sesame Paste (Shuang Niang Tuan)

Hidden gem: Fried Noodle with Shrimp Toppings (Xia Ren Liang Mian Huang)

Reputed as the "king of dim sum in Shanghai", Shen Dacheng is a renowned time-honored brand that has been serving snacks, dumplings, noodles, and Shanghai cuisine since 1875.

Shen Dacheng is most famous for its four types of glutinous rice dumplings: Tiao Tou Gao, Shuang Niang Tuan, Jin Tuan, and Qing Tuan. These are the first four items on their menu, all made using glutinous rice with fillings such as red bean paste, soybean powder, and black sesame paste, and sold for just 4-5 yuan per dumpling.

Beyond dim sum or snacks, their "Fried Noodles with Shrimp Toppings (Xia Ren Liang Mian Huang)" is a delightful dish worth tasting. This dish features noodles fried in hot oil until golden brown, topped with freshly cooked shrimp and a rich broth. With a single bite, the crispiness of the noodles intertwines with the deliciousness of the shrimp, providing a perfect taste experience.

Address: No 636 East Nanjing Road

Lan Xin Restaurant

Classic delicacies:

- Toothed Burclover (Cao Tou)

- Braised Pork in Brown Sauce (Hong Shao Rou)

Hidden gem: Dry-Braised Pomfret (Gan Shao Chang Yu)

Lan Xin Restaurant is a tiny homestyle Shanghai eatery located at the eastern end of Jinxian Road. During meal times, many food lovers gather here, and several Michelin plaques proudly hang inside.

Address: No 130 Jinxian Road

Source: "shhplyj" WeChat account