The Shanghai-dialect film Shanghai Wonton will be released on Nov 15, with advance screenings already underway. Shot in the ordinary lanes of Tianping subdistrict in Xuhui, the movie brings together a cast of Shanghainese actors and captures the neighborhood's unpretentious charm.

While pork and vegetable wonton is a staple of local home cooking, a taste ingrained in the city's memory, the old-established shops along Tianping's streets continue to serve the same classic flavors, offering warmth as the days grow colder.

Yuanyuanxiang Wonton

📍 Address: Stall 1024, 1F, Fuzhong Market, No 800 Middle Fuxing Road

Shanghai Wonton began filming at Fuzhong Market on Dec 10 last year. Tucked inside this lively market is Yuanyuanxiang Wonton.

Founded in 1992, the business moved to Middle Fuxing Road in 1995 before settling into its current spot in Fuzhong Market. Through each relocation, it has stayed true to its traditional taste. The owner says, "It's like my second home."

The shop's signature vegetable and pork wonton feature smooth wrappers and a hearty filling. The fresh scent of shepherd's purse complements the savory minced meat in a combination Shanghai locals adore.

Each order comes with a side of house-made satay sauce. Mildly sweet and umami-rich, with the mellow fragrance of peanut butter, it carries a subtle hint of the sea.

Denglong Wonton

📍 No 663 West Jianguo Road

On West Jianguo Road, a red lantern, or denglong, sways gently in the breeze. Named for the lantern hung at its entrance, this old shop, founded in the 1980s, also served as a filming location for the Chinese TV series A Better Life.

Stepping inside feels like entering a time capsule. An old-fashioned fan, black-and-white photos, woven baskets, and a TV playing classic films and dramas fill the space with nostalgia.

Its signature is the Shanghai-style pork, shepherd's purse, and bamboo shoot wonton. The fragrance of shepherd's purse and crisp freshness of bamboo shoots complement the rich, layered texture of the minced pork.

Broth is simmered gently in a clay pot and garnished with fried egg strips, seaweed, pickled radish, dried shrimp, and scallions. For the final flourish, a sprinkle of crispy pork lard crumbs let diners craft their bowl just the way they like it, making every serving a small, personal masterpiece.

Tianping Subdistrict Xinli 137 Community Canteen for Seniors

📍 No 137 Tianping Road

At this community canteen located in the Xinli 137 complex, shepherd's purse and pork wonton have become a daily favorite for residents, both for their authentic taste and affordable price.

All wontons are wrapped by hand daily, with over 100 bowls sold each day. Freshly sourced shepherd's purse is mixed with well-seasoned ground pork. One bite through the tender wrapper releases the herb's distinctive aroma, while the juicy, savory filling strikes a perfect balance.

Though designed to serve local seniors, the canteen also draws office workers from nearby. Here, a simple bowl of wonton offers more than a quick meal — it's a community touchstone where people of all ages and backgrounds come together over a taste of home.

Source: WeChat account of the Tianping subdistrict office in Xuhui district at "tian_ping21"