Top 15 Best Shanghai Street Food
The ultimate guide to Shanghai’s most authentic street food experiences, from traditional xiaolongbao to modern fusion delights
Last Updated: January 15, 2025
10
Min. Reading Time
Jan 2025
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Food Expert Contributors
Why Shanghai Street Food Culture Matters
Shanghai’s street food scene represents the authentic soul of the city, blending traditional Jiangnan flavors with international influences accumulated over centuries of cultural exchange. With over 50,000 street food vendors and a culinary heritage spanning 700 years, understanding Shanghai’s food culture is essential to experiencing the real city beyond tourist attractions.
Shanghai street food operates on a complex ecosystem of morning markets, lunch stalls, and evening night markets, each serving different demographics and offering distinct culinary experiences throughout the day.
Authentic Shanghai street food prices range from ¥5-50 per item, with the best vendors often hidden in residential neighborhoods rather than tourist areas, requiring local knowledge to discover.
The city’s street food reflects its history as an international port, featuring unique fusion dishes that blend Shanghainese, Cantonese, and Western influences not found elsewhere in China.
Pro Tip from Our Food Experts
Join our Influencer Travel Guide food tours to access hidden street food locations that locals frequent but tourists never find. Our food experts provide cultural context, language assistance, and ensure you experience authentic flavors safely.
Shanghai Street Food Districts
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ SHANGHAI STREET FOOD DISTRICTS ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ ║
║ │ YANGPU │ │ HONGKOU │ │ BAOSHAN │ ║
║ │ [15] │ │ [13][14] │ │ │ ║
║ └─────────────┘ └─────────────┘ └─────────────┘ ║
║ ║
║ ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ ║
║ │ PUTUO │ │ JING’AN │ │ HUANGPU │ ║
║ │ [11][12] │ │ [4][5][6] │ │ [1][2][3] │ ║
║ └─────────────┘ └─────────────┘ └─────────────┘ ║
║ ║
║ ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ ║
║ │ CHANGNING │ │ XUHUI │ │ PUDONG │ ║
║ │ │ │ [7][8][9] │ │ [10] │ ║
║ └─────────────┘ └─────────────┘ └─────────────┘ ║
║ ║
║ ┌─────────────┐ ║
║ │ MINHANG │ ║
║ │ │ ║
║ └─────────────┘ ║
║ ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Top 15 Street Food Locations by District
[1] Xiaolongbao (Yu Garden)
[2] Shengjianbao (Huangpu)
[3] Jianbing (Nanjing Road)
[4] Scallion Oil Noodles
[5] Red Bean Pancake
[6] Wontons in Soup
[7] Sticky Rice Rolls
[8] Stinky Tofu
[9] Soup Dumplings
[10] Fried Pork Buns
[11] Rice Cakes
[12] Tea Eggs
[13] Sesame Balls
[14] Pork & Chive Dumplings
[15] Cold Noodles
Peak Food Hours:
🌅 Morning Markets: 6:00-10:00 AM (Breakfast items)
🍜 Lunch Stalls: 11:00 AM-2:00 PM (Noodles, rice dishes)
🌃 Night Markets: 5:00-11:00 PM (Snacks, desserts)
🏪 24/7 Convenience: Select locations in Huangpu & Jing’an
The Complete Top 15 Street Food Ranking
1
Xiaolongbao (小笼包) – Soup Dumplings
★★★★★ 4.9/5
¥15-25 per basket
📍 Yu Garden, Jing’an
Shanghai’s most iconic dish – delicate steamed dumplings filled with pork and hot broth. The paper-thin wrapper contains a perfect balance of meat and soup that bursts in your mouth. Best enjoyed at traditional teahouses with black vinegar and ginger.
Best Spots: Nanxiang, Din Tai Fung
Peak Hours: 11AM-2PM, 6-8PM
Eating Tip: Bite small hole, sip soup first
Spice Level: Mild
2
Shengjianbao (生煎包) – Pan-Fried Pork Buns
★★★★★ 4.8/5
¥8-12 per piece
📍 Huangpu, Xuhui
Crispy-bottomed, fluffy-topped buns filled with seasoned pork and soup. Pan-fried to golden perfection with sesame seeds and scallions on top. The contrast between the crunchy base and soft top creates an irresistible texture combination.
Best Spots: Yang’s Fry Dumpling
Peak Hours: 7-9AM, 11AM-1PM
Eating Tip: Eat immediately while hot
Spice Level: Mild
Complete Rankings 3-15
| Rank | Street Food | Chinese Name | Rating | Price Range | Best District | Signature Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Jianbing | 煎饼 | ★★★★☆ 4.7 | ¥6-10 | Nanjing Road | Crispy crepe with egg |
| 4 | Scallion Oil Noodles | 葱油拌面 | ★★★★☆ 4.6 | ¥12-18 | Jing’an | Fragrant scallion oil |
| 5 | Red Bean Pancake | 红豆饼 | ★★★★☆ 4.5 | ¥5-8 | Jing’an | Sweet red bean filling |
| 6 | Wontons in Soup | 馄饨 | ★★★★☆ 4.4 | ¥10-15 | Jing’an | Delicate wrapper, clear broth |
| 7 | Sticky Rice Rolls | 粢饭团 | ★★★★☆ 4.3 | ¥8-12 | Xuhui | Breakfast rice wrap |
| 8 | Stinky Tofu | 臭豆腐 | ★★★☆☆ 4.2 | ¥8-15 | Xuhui | Fermented, deep-fried |
| 9 | Soup Dumplings | 灌汤包 | ★★★★☆ 4.1 | ¥12-20 | Xuhui | Large, soup-filled |
| 10 | Fried Pork Buns | 锅贴 | ★★★★☆ 4.0 | ¥10-16 | Pudong | Crispy bottom, juicy filling |
| 11 | Rice Cakes | 年糕 | ★★★☆☆ 3.9 | ¥8-14 | Putuo | Chewy texture, savory |
| 12 | Tea Eggs | 茶叶蛋 | ★★★☆☆ 3.8 | ¥3-5 | Putuo | Marbled appearance |
| 13 | Sesame Balls | 芝麻球 | ★★★☆☆ 3.7 | ¥4-8 | Hongkou | Crispy, sweet filling |
| 14 | Pork & Chive Dumplings | 韭菜饺子 | ★★★☆☆ 3.6 | ¥12-18 | Hongkou | Pan-fried or steamed |
| 15 | Cold Noodles | 凉面 | ★★★☆☆ 3.5 | ¥8-12 | Yangpu | Refreshing summer dish |
Street Food Categories
🥟 Dumplings & Buns: Xiaolongbao, Shengjianbao, Wontons, Soup Dumplings
🍜 Noodles & Rice: Scallion Oil Noodles, Cold Noodles, Sticky Rice Rolls, Rice Cakes
🥞 Pancakes & Wraps: Jianbing, Red Bean Pancake
🍢 Snacks & Sides: Stinky Tofu, Tea Eggs, Sesame Balls
Street Food Culture Guide & Expert Tips
Plain TextStreet Food Price Analysis
Budget (¥3-8)
Tea Eggs, Sesame Balls
Red Bean Pancake
Basic snacks & sides
Mid-Range (¥8-15)
Shengjianbao, Jianbing
Wontons, Rice Cakes
Most popular items
Premium (¥15-25)
Xiaolongbao, Soup Dumplings
Scallion Oil Noodles
Restaurant-quality items
Street Food Etiquette & Safety Guide
Cultural Etiquette
Payment: Cash preferred, mobile payment accepted
Ordering: Point to items, use simple Chinese
Eating: Stand or find nearby seating
Timing: Respect peak meal hours
Vendors appreciate patience and smiles
Safety Guidelines
Hygiene: Choose busy stalls with high turnover
Temperature: Ensure hot foods are steaming
Water: Stick to bottled or boiled water
Allergies: Learn key phrases in Chinese
Trust your instincts about cleanliness
Essential Phrases
这个多少钱？ – How much?
我要一个 – I want one
不要辣 – No spicy
谢谢 – Thank you
Download translation app as backup
2025 Street Food Trends
🍜 Fusion Evolution: Traditional recipes incorporating international flavors
📱 Tech Integration: QR code ordering and mobile payment becoming standard
🌱 Health Focus: More vegetarian and low-sodium options appearing
🏪 Premium Street Food: Higher-quality ingredients in traditional formats
Ready to Explore Shanghai’s Street Food Scene?
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