Hailing from Sichuan, discovering food in China is what brings Jenny Gao closer to her heritage. She's since founded JingTheory.com, where she posts all her food inspiration from around the world. Along with business partner Alex Xu, she is also launching Baoism, a sustainably sourced modern Chinese eatery centered on baos.
Here, she shares her top six favorite meals from around the city, from tried and tested classics to hidden gems deep within the Japanese and Korean-expat enclaves of Hongqiao and Minhang.
Ibasyo (いば昇)
"Here at this tiny, secluded little joint they have a live eel tank, meaning that you can choose your eel and they’ll pick it straight out the water for you. The common problem with eel rice is that you run out of eel and at the end all you’re left with is rice. But with this amazing double-decker, you never run out!"
// Hongmei Lu, Lane 3717, No. 26, 1/F, by Yan’an Xi Lu 虹梅路3717弄, 26号, 1楼, 近延安西路. (5422 4871). See full listing here.
Jini Dapaidang (吉尼大排档)
"We call this a ‘red tent’ joint, and you’re basically eating outside crowded around other tables. Here we eat seafood pancake, spicy fried chicken and hotpot with a whole ramen noodle cake on top, which slowly cooks and absorbs the flavors of the stew, with spam, sausage, rice cake, big chunks of tofu."
// Hongquan Lu, Lane 1101, No. 26, by Hongshen Lu 虹泉路1101弄26号,近虹莘路. See full listing here.
Old Jesse
"This Shanghai institution might be over-talked about, but there’s something amazing about the codfish head (葱烤鱼头 cōng kǎo yú tóu) there, and the 'eight treasure' pig’s trotter (八宝猪蹄, bā bǎo zhū tí). Make sure to pre-order when you reserve your table!"
// 41 Tianping Lu, by Huaihai Xi Lu 天平路41号, 近淮海西路.(6282 9260). See full listing here.
Wu Guan Tang (五观堂素食)
"A Buddhist-owned vegetarian restaurant in Changning. The menu is a handwritten book, and they use quality ingredients, with inventive, flavorful dishes. Dishes here are completely seasonal, and a Buddhist monk runs the place. It’s not glitzy, but it’s set in a beautiful lane house with an amazing patio. Come here for sophisticated but rustic vegetarian dining, particularly the longdou beans with olive leaves, surrounded by wutou buns (龙豆口袋饼, lóngdòu kǒudài bǐng)."
// 349 Xinhua Lu, by Dingxi Lu 新华路349号, 近定西路.(62813695). See full listing here.
Zun Ke Lai (尊客来)
"The thinnest skins by far of the Shanghai xiaolongbao I’ve tried so far. I was skeptical at first, but once I tried their soup dumplings, at first bite I was convinced they are the best in Shanghai."
// 666 Tianyaoqiao Lu, by Shanghai Indoor Stadium 天钥桥路666号, 近万体场 (6049 3888). See full listing here.
Nanyang Lu Rice Ball (南阳路饭团)
"An old school stall that’s been there for ages, every morning they start balling up before 6 and sell out usually before noon. It’s a very traditional and one of the ‘Four Kings’ of Shanghainese breakfasts: yóutiáo (油条, fried crullers), dòujiāng(豆浆, soy milk), dà bǐng (大饼, Chinese pancakes) and fàntuán (饭团, rice balls)."
// 100 Nanyang Lu, by Xikang Lu. 南阳路100号，近西康路. Open daily, 5.30am-11am. See full listing here.
// Keep up with Jenny's culinary escapades at www.jingtheory.com
// Baoism's first physical location is coming soon to Xintiandi, stay tuned to www.baoism.com.cn
// For more Shanghai Eats, click here.
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