As the Chinese New Year approaches, Shanghai's streets begin to fill with the familiar scents of the season. Markets bustle with shoppers, and long-established food shops display their classic treats. This guide highlights some of the city's most cherished Chinese New Year foods and the places where locals continue to buy them, year after year.

Cured meats

Cured meats are an essential part of Shanghai's winter and Chinese New Year food culture. At Taikang Foods, counters are stacked with Jinhua ham, air-dried pork, sausages, and cured duck. These items are typically used in home cooking, steamed with bamboo shoots, added to soups like Yan Du Xian, or simply sliced as cold dishes.

• Where to buy: Taikang Foods, No 766 East Nanjing Road, Huangpu district

Zaolu dishes

Zaolu is a traditional Jiangnan method for marinating cooked and chilled meat, vegetables, or seafood in a lightly alcoholic brine. Made from aged rice liquor and infused with herbs and spices, the brine lends the food a gentle, aromatic flavor. Shao Wan Sheng, founded in 1852, is famous for its classic zaolu offerings. These dishes are usually served cold and are often included as starters at family gatherings during the Chinese New Year.

• Where to buy: Shao Wan Sheng, No 414 East Nanjing Road, Huangpu district

Pickled vegetables

After several days of rich holiday dishes and snacks, pickled vegetables are a practical addition to the table. Peili Pickles, known for its hand-crafted process and balanced flavors, is a long-time favorite. Items such as pickled cucumber, mixed vegetables, and mustard greens are commonly eaten with congee or noodles, helping to refresh the palate through heavier meals.

• Where to buy: Shanghai National Specialty Food Store, Nos 483-499 Middle Huaihai Road, Huangpu district

Red sausage and potato salad

Shanlin Dahong's red sausage, springy, garlicky, and mildly smoked, is a Shanghai classic that is typically eaten cold or lightly pan-fried. It is often paired with Shanghai-style potato salad, mixed with peas and diced ham, lightly sweet and creamy. This combination appears on many family tables year after year, despite the long queues needed to buy it before the holiday.

• Where to buy: Room 1016, Caodongli, No 1 Caodong Branch Road, Xuhui district

Source: Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce