Tucked beside Jialing wet market in Xuhui district, a short street brimming with carb-heavy snacks has become a daily stop for nearby residents and students. Surrounded by apartment complexes and universities, it offers simple, filling meals at very affordable prices. With an average cost of around 9 yuan ($1.3) per person, the street brings together a wide mix of regional snacks in an unpolished but dependable setting.

Pan's Qiang Bing is the most popular stall here, and often draws long queues. For just 5 yuan, customers can enjoy a large bag of freshly baked flatbread with a golden, crisp surface and a soft, layered interior. The aroma of scallions and sesame fills the air, making it a go-to breakfast for many locals.

Li's Egg Pancake is another dependable option, priced at 4.5 yuan. The pancake is soft and slightly chewy, with lightly crisped edges. Generous fillings of Chinese chives and scallions are complemented by a homemade sweet and savory sauce that ties all the flavors together.

Crab shell pastries, known in Chinese as Xiekehuang, are also easy to find. Named for their round shape and golden color, they come in both sweet and savory versions, priced between 2.5 yuan and 3 yuan. The black sesame filling is rich and dense, while the shredded radish option offers a lighter, savory contrast wrapped in a flaky crust.

Beyond these staples, the street offers plenty of other choices. Pan-fried beef buns with a hint of curry, freshly made zongzi filled with pork and salted egg yolk, and the "four classics" of a Shanghai breakfast: flatbread, fried dough sticks, sticky rice cakes, and soybean milk are all available within a short walk.

There is little here in terms of presentation. Instead, the street is defined by steady foot traffic, the smell of food in the air, and a rhythm that runs from early morning to evening. It offers a grounded, everyday view of Xuhui that is easy to miss but worth seeking out.

Source: WeChat account of Xuhui district