While there is no end to the variety of sweet treats these days, one that evokes childhood memories usually outpaces them all. Many Shanghai locals have shared a list of childhood delicacies, which have been popular for generations and are only identifiable by those who grew up in the area.

The Eat-Too-Much Team, a WeChat account dedicated to introducing specialty foods and dining spots that offer authentic Shanghai flavors, has recommended a selection of "one and only" stores that sell snacks featuring long-standing recipes reminiscent of Shanghai locals' childhoods.

1. Shanghai A'mi Sugar-free Food Flagship Store（上海阿咪无糖食品旗舰店）

Address: No 276 Xinzha Road, Jing'an district, Shanghai

Opening hours: 8:30 am – 6 pm, Monday-Sunday

Shanghai A'mi Sugar-free Food Flagship Store. [Photo/Eat-Too-Much Team]

Since its founding in 1941, A'mi candies have been the "first love" of many children in Shanghai. A'mi, which features a yellow cat wearing a pink beret and bow tie, is second in popularity only to the iconic White Rabbit candy brand in Shanghai. As one of the first brands to make sugar-free candies, A'mi uses maltose instead of cane sugar as a sweetener. The store, transformed from the candy plant's canteen, offers more than 70 varieties of candy.

A'mi sugar-free candies. [Photo/Eat-Too-Much Team]

2. Shanghai Yuanli Food Factory Retail Outlet（上海元利食品厂门市部）

Address: No 371 East Yan'an Road, Huangpu district, Shanghai

Opening hours: 8:30 am - 4 pm, Monday-Sunday

Yuanli Food Factory Retail Outlet. [Photo/Eat-Too-Much Team]

Founded in 1839, Yuanli might be one of the eldest Chaoshan Cantonese-style dim sum shops in Shanghai. Most pastry chefs in the store inherit their skills from their father generations, proud of their fresh offering of around 20 kinds of desserts, which are set to please the palates of all ages.

Chaoshan dim sum in Yuanli. [Photo/Eat-Too-Much Team]

3. Bright Food Yimin Retail Outlet（光明益民经营部）

Address: No 202 Wuhua Road, Hongkou district, Shanghai

Opening hours: 9:30 am - 2:30 pm, Monday-Sunday

Bright Food Yimin Retail Outlet. [Photo/Eat-Too-Much Team]

A 10 square-meter store only, Yimin is the one and only choice for many locals to secure the best selection of Shanghai classic desserts for only 10 yuan ($1.39). The business is so brisk so the store owner closes every day at 2:30 pm so as not to stress himself too much.

Each pack of treats is priced 10 yuan at Yimin. [Photo/Eat-Too-Much Team]

4. A Taste of Childhood Treats from Long Time Ago（小辰光额味道老底子额么事）

Address: No 1394 Liyang Road, Hongkou district, Shanghai

Opening hours: 10:00 am - 6:30 pm, Monday-Sunday

A Taste of Childhood Treats from Long Ago. [Photo/Eat-Too-Much Team]

Once known as the Red Rose Food Factory, the store is like a childhood museum for many locals, selling dozens of treats and desserts which can hardly be found elsewhere. Many customers go a long way to patron the shop for a taste of their childhood.

Treats in the store. [Photo/Eat-Too-Much Team]

5. Schwarzwälder Pastry Shop（黑森林面包）

Address: No 10 Lane 117, Jiashan Road, Xuhui district, Shanghai

Opening hours: 7 am – 8 pm, Monday-Sunday

Schwarzwälder Pastry Shop. [Photo/Eat-Too-Much Team]

Founded in the 1980s, it is said that the first Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte in Shanghai was made by this pastry shop. Recently relocated to the Jiashan Road, the store still carries the memory of many Shanghai locals' first taste of Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte.

Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte. [Photo/Eat-Too-Much Team]

Source: Eat-Too-Much Team