Shanghai Food Crawl: From Xiaolongbao to Hot Pot (2026 Guide)
The ultimate Shanghai food tour covering breakfast dumplings, local lunch, afternoon snacks, and the famous hot pot dinner scene.
Shanghai: A Food Lover’s Paradise
Shanghai is one of China’s premier food cities—from traditional Shanghainese cuisine to regional specialties and international influences. This food crawl takes you through a full day of eating, from local breakfast to late-night hot pot.
📅 Last Updated: January 2026 (verified on location)
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Essential Dishes | Xiaolongbao, shengjian bao, hongshao rou |
| Popular Restaurants | Haidilao, lamb skewer BBQ, Heytea |
| Reservations Needed | Haidilao (via WeChat) |
| Budget | ¥400-700/person |
Full-Day Food Schedule
Morning (7:30 - 11:00 AM): Local Breakfast
| Time | Location | Food | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:30 AM | Da Hu Chun | Shengjian bao | ¥20-30 |
| 8:30 AM | Walk to Yu Garden | - | - |
| 9:00 AM | Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant | Xiaolongbao | ¥25-50 |
| 10:00 AM | Yu Garden Bazaar | Street snacks | ¥30-50 |
| 11:00 AM | Heytea | Bubble tea | ¥25-40 |
Afternoon (11:30 AM - 5:00 PM): Local Restaurants
| Time | Location | Food | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:30 AM | Travel to French Concession | Metro Line 10 | - |
| 12:00 PM | Local Shanghainese | Hongshao rou, scallion noodles | ¥60-100 |
| 1:30 PM | Linlongfang | Xiaolongbao (open kitchen) | ¥40-60 |
| 2:30 PM | Lillian Bakery | Egg tarts | ¥15-25 |
| 3:00 PM | Specialty coffee | Rest stop | ¥40-60 |
| 3:45 PM | Wukang Road walk | Window shopping | - |
| 4:30 PM | B&C Bakery | Butter bread | ¥20-40 |
Evening (5:30 - 10:00 PM): Hot Pot & BBQ
| Time | Location | Food | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5:30 PM | Travel to Xintiandi | Metro | - |
| 6:00 PM | Rooftop bar | Cocktails | ¥80-150 |
| 7:00 PM | Haidilao | Hot pot | ¥150-250 |
| 9:00 PM | Lamb skewer BBQ | Grilled lamb | ¥80-150 |
| 10:00 PM | Convenience store | Late snacks | ¥20-30 |
Must-Try Restaurants
1. Da Hu Chun (大壶春) - Shengjian Bao
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Pan-fried soup dumplings since 1932 |
| Must-order | Shengjian bao (生煎包) |
| Price | ¥20-30 |
| Hours | 6:00 AM-2:00 PM, 5:00-8:00 PM |
💡 How to eat: Let it cool slightly, bite a small hole, drink the soup first, then eat the dumpling!
2. Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant (南翔馒头店)
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Original xiaolongbao since 1900 |
| Location | 85 Yu Garden Road |
| Price | ¥25-50 |
| Tip | Arrive before 9 AM for shorter lines |
3. Shanghainese Home Cooking
Traditional local dishes you’ll find at authentic restaurants:
| Dish | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hongshao rou (红烧肉) | Sweet braised pork belly | ¥38 |
| Scallion oil noodles (葱油拌面) | Simple, aromatic | ¥18 |
| Mapo doufu | Spicy tofu | ¥28 |
4. Haidilao (海底捞)
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Specialty | World-famous hot pot chain |
| Price | ¥150-250/person |
| Booking | WeChat mini-program (essential!) |
| Hours | 24 hours (some locations) |
Special Services:
- Free manicures while waiting
- Noodle-pulling performances
- Unlimited fruit and drinks
💡 Pro Tip: Book 1-2 days ahead. Without reservations, expect 40 min - 3 hour waits!
5. Lamb Skewer BBQ (很久以前)
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Inner Mongolian lamb on conveyor grills |
| Price | ¥80-150/person |
| Unique | Conveyor belt charcoal grill system |
| Hours | Late into the night |
Must-order:
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Lamb skewers | Inner Mongolian lamb |
| Condensed milk toast | Sweet dessert |
| Free milk ice cream | Served at the end |
Street Food Picks
Yu Garden Bazaar
| Food | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Cong you bing (葱油饼) | Green onion pancake | ¥5-10 |
| Chou doufu (臭豆腐) | Stinky tofu | ¥10-15 |
| Guihua gao (桂花糕) | Osmanthus cake | ¥8-12 |
French Concession
| Food | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Heytea | Premium bubble tea | ¥25-40 |
| B&C butter bread | Trendy bakery | ¥20-40 |
| Various milk tea | Local brands | ¥20-30 |
Budget Breakdown
| Meal | Expected Cost |
|---|---|
| Breakfast (shengjian + xiaolongbao) | ¥50-80 |
| Lunch (Shanghainese) | ¥80-120 |
| Snacks (Heytea, bakery) | ¥50-100 |
| Dinner (Haidilao or lamb) | ¥150-300 |
| Transport | ¥20-30 |
| Total | ¥400-700 |
Booking Requirements
| Restaurant | How to Book | Advance Time |
|---|---|---|
| Haidilao | WeChat mini-program | 1-2 days |
| Lamb skewer BBQ | Walk-in or WeChat | Weekends recommended |
| Fine dining | Phone/app | 3-7 days |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there English menus?
Most large restaurants have English or photo menus. The WeChat translate feature helps everywhere else.
What about vegetarians?
Shanghai has excellent vegetarian restaurants, especially near Jing’an Temple. Buddhist temple cuisine is worth seeking out.
I have food allergies—how do I communicate?
Write down “我对XXX过敏” (Wǒ duì XXX guòmǐn) = “I’m allergic to XXX” and show it to servers.
Related Guides
- Xiaolongbao Restaurant Guide
- Haidilao Complete Guide
- WeChat Pay Setup - For reservations
This guide was last updated in January 2026. Prices and hours may vary.
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