How to Enjoy Local Food Like A Resident In Shanghai Beyond The Bund
When you land in Shanghai, chances are you’ve already got a mental checklist of things to eat, see, and soak in. And if you're anything like me—someone who plans meals before museums—then xiaolongbao, or soup dumplings, is almost certainly at the top of that list. On our Beyond The Bund | Shanghai Suzhou Creek Walking Tour, we take a closer examination of this delicacy!
But here’s the thing: there are so many flavors. Pork? Pork with crab roe? Something more adventurous? It can get overwhelming fast. If you’ve got time to spare, by all means, try a few places. But if you're short on time and want the quintessential experience in one glorious basket, do yourself a favor and order the “全家福” (Quánjiāfú)—literally “Happy Family Reunion.” It’s a sampler basket of three different flavors, usually featuring classic pork, pork with crab roe, and a seasonal or signature specialty.
Now, if your wanderings take you just a short stroll from the Bund and onto the bustling Huanghe Road Food Street, make a beeline for Jiajia Tangbao. Their 全家福 is a thing of beauty—pork, crab roe pork, and a wonderfully earthy pork with shiitake mushroom filling that caught me off guard in the best way. (I usually go for the salted duck egg yolk version elsewhere, but this one? A lovely surprise.)
When your basket arrives—steam still curling from the pleated tops—they’ll set you up with a small dish of ginger-infused sweet rice vinegar. That, my friend, is the finishing touch. Don’t just bite in. Not yet. Gently lift one with your chopsticks, dip it lightly, then bite a tiny hole on the side and let the hot broth spill onto your spoon—or straight into your mouth if you're feeling brave. Slurp first, savor second, repeat until the basket's empty.
Jiajia Tangbao (佳家汤包)
127 Huanghe Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai
上海市黄浦区黄河路127号
As you continue your food crawl from Jiajia Tangbao, don't walk too fast—just around the corner on Fengyang Road, Laoruifu (老瑞福) is waiting with some of Shanghai's most beloved pastries. Grab a few for the road—they're the kind of snacks that travel well and taste even better with a slight pause in your step.
Now, let’s talk about two local legends you absolutely need to try:
鲜肉月饼 (Xiān Ròu Yuè Bǐng) – The Pork Mooncake
This one’s a true Jiangnan style. While most mooncakes are filled with lotus seed paste, salted egg yolk, or the occasional durian (yes, adventurous indeed), the Shanghai-style pork mooncake is in a league of its own—flaky, buttery pastry wrapped around a juicy, savory pork filling. It’s more like a meat pie than a traditional mooncake, and it’s utterly irresistible. If you're feeling fancy, go for the 蟹粉鲜肉月饼 (Xiè Fěn Xiān Ròu Yuèbǐng)—the same goodness, now with glorious crab roe.
蟹壳黄 (Xiè Ké Huáng) – The Crab Shell Pastry
Named for its golden, oven-baked crust that crackles like a crab shell, this Jiangnan classic comes in two delicious camps: savory and sweet. On the savory side, think scallion oil, seaweed, or shredded radish. For something sweeter, go for osmanthus sugar, silky red bean paste, or rich black sesame. Each bite is a perfect little crunch, giving way to a soft, flavorful center.
These pastries are on the drier side—in the best way possible—making them the ideal companion to a good cup of coffee or tea. Me? I’m grabbing a pork mooncake and an osmanthus sugar crab shell pastry, and I won’t be leaving until both are gone. 
Laoruifu Pastry (老瑞福点心)
238 Fengyang Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai (上海市黄浦区凤阳路238号)
I wouldn’t go so far as to call myself a beer connoisseur—but if you love beer the way I love beer, then hey, we’re already on the same wavelength. 😄
As you keep wandering beyond the Bund, you might start to feel it: those soup dumplings? Delicious, but a little rich. That pork mooncake? Flaky perfection, but your mouth’s getting dry. What you really need now is something crisp, cold, and refreshing. Beer, you say? Beer, they’ve got.
Tucked away in a quiet corner of Huangpu, 1/2 Laugh Pub is equal parts craft beer bar and cozy little stage—the kind of place where the vibe is as thoughtfully brewed as the drinks. I went for their rice lager, and honestly? It surprised me. The second sip hit different—a faint, lovely note of grapefruit lingering at the finish. Light body, ultra drinkable, the kind of beer that makes you forget you’re in the middle of a bustling city. At 59 RMB for a 330ml pour in downtown Shanghai? That’s a solid
deal.
But the real highlight? The guy behind the bar. Genuinely warm, super knowledgeable, and so excited to talk about every single brew on the menu. You can tell he’s not just working—he’s sharing something he loves. That kind of energy? It makes the beer taste even better.
Let’s go together next time. Same place, same rice lager—maybe a second round. Ganbei! 🍻
📍 1/2 Laugh Pub (半笑酒馆)
Ganglu Huangpu Center 1F 102, 98 Liuhe Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai 六合路98号港陆黄浦中心1层102室
