As Tomb-Sweeping Day approaches, Shanghai's culinary scene comes alive with the vibrant flavors of qingtuan, a beloved round, green cake. Check out the distinguished shops offering their unique takes on this traditional snack.

Sunya Cantonese Restaurant

Sunya Cantonese Restaurant introduces a new dish this year – Curry Beef Qingtuan. It's a delightful fusion of exotic curry and tender marinated beef, creating a rich and flavorful broth that instantly fills your mouth with savory goodness.

Their popular Yanduxian (spring bamboo shoot soup with fresh, pickled streaky pork) Qingtuan continues to be a top seller, featuring layers of fresh saltiness. It's soft and chewy with a crispy texture, providing a delightful contrast in every bite.

Additionally, their innovative Butter Cashew Qingtuan offers a unique twist. Combining butter, cashews, and sesame seeds, it is particularly enjoyable when served cold.

Open: Monday to Sunday, 7:30 am-10 am, 11 am-1:30 pm, 2 pm-4 pm, 5 pm-8:30 pm

Address: No 719 East Nanjing Road, Huangpu district

Shen Da Cheng

This year, Shen Da Cheng introduces a new treat – Glutinous Rice-coated Qingtuan. The addition of glutinous rice enhances the chewiness of the qingtuan while adding a delightful aroma, making the taste very satisfying. Just one bite will do! The filling includes diced water chestnuts and fresh meat, providing a burst of freshness with every mouthful.

Also, don't miss the Spring Fresh Qingtuan, where an extra layer of glutinous rice is added to the outer skin. This variation features a filling based on shepherd's purse, with diced mushrooms for freshness and crispy bamboo shoots for an incredible taste!

Open: Monday to Sunday, 7:30 am-9 pm

Multiple locations include No 636 East Nanjing Road, Huangpu district

Wang Jia Sha

Wang Jia Sha introduces a new item: Artemisia Leaf, Jujube, and Walnut Qingtuan priced at 42 yuan ($5.81) per box (6 pieces). It is not only nutritious but also offers a rich texture that becomes more flavorful as you chew.

Open: Monday to Sunday, 7:30 am-8:00 pm

Address: No 805 West Nanjing Road, Jing'an district

Ningbo Tangtuan

Ningbo Tangtuan, a time-honored restaurant famous in Shanghai for its handmade tangtuan (dessert dumplings made with glutinous rice flour and various fillings), is also known for its expertise in making qingtuan.

They offer three flavors of qingtuan – Red Bean Paste for 5 yuan each, Salted Egg Yolk with Shredded Pork for 10 yuan each, and Golden Durian for 10 yuan each. The durian qingtuan is filled with creamy fruit flesh, emitting a rich aroma that's greatly appreciated by durian enthusiasts!

Open: Monday to Sunday, 8:30 am-8:00 pm

Address: No 9-11 Yuchun Road, Huangpu district

Dexing Restaurant

Dexing Restaurant offers a special Black Truffle, Vegetable, and Meat Qingtuan. Their Yuyuan branch also offers limited-time flavors like strawberry, mango, and qingtuan with the outer skin made of purple sweet potato.

Open: Monday to Sunday, 6:30 am-8:30 pm

Multiple locations include No 471 Guangdong Road, East Nanjing Road sub-district, Huangpu district

Xing Hua Lou

Indulge in the annual qingtuan season at Xing Hua Lou, where the salted egg yolk and meat floss qingtuan take center stage. Once rare, these qingtuan are now a beloved part of the spring menu, offering enduring classic flavors. Patrons can also enjoy innovative flavors like cheese and black pepper beef, shepherd's purse mixed with pork, and malantou, a type of wild vegetable. For tradition and innovation, Xing Hua Lou is the place to be.

Open: Monday to Sunday, 8 am-2 pm, 5 pm-9 pm

Address: No 343 Fuzhou Road, Huangpu district

Guang Ming Cun

Guang Ming Cun presents an array of tantalizing qingtuan, including shepherd's purse pork and sesame walnut varieties. Alongside these, patrons can delight in flavors such as bean paste and salted egg yolk with meat floss.

Open: Monday to Sunday, 11 am-2 pm, 5 pm-8:30 pm

Address: No 588 Middle Huaihai Road, Huangpu district

Wang Bao He

Renowned for its crab feasts, Wang Bao He introduces crabmeat and prawn qingtuan this year, inspired by its signature crab dish. This delectable creation features chewy prawns fried with crab meat, offering an exquisite blend of fresh flavor in every bite.

Additionally, Wang Bao He presents black sesame-filled qingtuan, striking a perfect balance of sweetness. The restaurant also offers inventive options such as malantou and fresh bamboo shoots.

Open: Monday to Sunday, 11 am-1:30 pm, 5 pm-9 pm

Address: No 603 Fuzhou Road, Huangpu district

Sources: "shhplyj" WeChat account, "shanghaiqunachi" WeChat account, "shanghaifabu" WeChat account, "renqimeishiwx" WeChat account, 699pic.com, WeChat accounts of above-mentioned venues