Shanghai Restaurant review: Mr. Fresh Seafood

The place

Conveniently located by Lujiabang Lu metro station, this newly opened seafood restaurant is becoming super popular with locals for one reason – low prices for big portions, thanks to the owners’ tight connections with local and international seafood importers.

So just who is this Mr. Fresh Seafood? Well, actually nobody. The Chinese name, 水鲜生 (shui xiansheng) is a play on words meaning ‘fresh from the sea.’

The food

On the menu is a wide selection of sea dwellers, including Alaskan crabs, Canadian lobsters, French oysters, sea shrimps, fresh sashimi and clams.

Yellow croaker (RMB25/bowl) sees a whole croaker fish swimming in an aromatic chicken broth. Steamed and served piping hot, the fish is super tender and luscious – like a more luxurious version of the classic Shanghainese dish 黄鱼面 （huang yu mian, yellow croaker in noodle soup), minus the noodles of course. Other dishes are similarly affordable: salmon sashimi and arctic surf clams at RMB58/eight pieces, and RMB48 for 10 sweet shrimps.

If barbecued fish is more your thing, a wide range of skewers is available ranging from RMB5-158, while Mr. Fresh signature rice soup (RMB42) is surprisingly savory and filling.

Food verdict: 2/3

The vibe
As you might have guessed from the low prices, this is a very casual spot. The décor attempts to create an ambiance of being under the sea, and this sizable but dim spot takes its nautical theme to the next level with several giant screens playing video loops of a mysterious underwater world. However, the general temperature isn’t as cool as the deep blue itself, especially if you’re having piping hot soup or barbecue, so make sure to get seats with decent air-conditioning.

Vibe verdict: 0.5/1

Value for money
Given the many overpriced seafood places in town, it’s not easy to find somewhere affordable without sacrificing quality. Here we find both. As such, this low-key spot is a place we’ll happily visit again for a casual seafood meal with friends or family.

Value for money: 0.5/1

TOTAL VERDICT: 3/5
Price: RMB100-150/person
Who’s going: seafood lovers, locals, families
Good for: casual lunch and dinner, seafood, parties

See a listing for Mr. Fresh Seafood

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