While there are many local and international restaurants I highly recommend all over Shanghai (see my list of Shanghais Best Brunches here), the Shanghai snacks really keep me going! Whether I’m late for
Shēng jiān bāo 生煎包
Shēng jiān bāo 生煎包 is one of the most popular specialty Shanghai snacks. It’s the most common (on-the-go) street food breakfast items. Typically it consists of bao, or baozi 包子, filled with pork and veggies, sprinkled with sesame or green onions on top. With a hard bottom, they are easy to grab and go as they are typically served in a plastic or paper bag from street vendors. If you are dining in, shēng jiān bāo is best served with rice vinegar for dipping. (Not recommended while walking…trust me!)
Xiǎo lóng bāo 小笼包
Xiǎo lóng bāo 小笼包 is another type of baozi. It is traditionally prepared in xiaolong, which is a small bamboo steaming basket, hence their name. Foreigners also call them “soup dumplings” because they are filled with a clear soup and often served with a straw. Typically served in the basket they were steamed in on a bed of dried leaves and vinegar for dipping.
The above picture is from one of the most famous xiǎolóng bāo restaurants, Nanxiang Mantou Dian in Yuyuan Garden, in Shanghai. With a long history originating from the original store in Nanxiang, it’s famous for crab-meat filled bao, or baozi包子.
Húntún 馄饨
Húntún 馄饨 (wonton), is a type of Chinese style dumplings. While they don’t originate in Shanghai, the Shanghainese have their own take on these. Available in a variety of fillings from the most popular pork to also include shrimp and fish ingredients. Sizing ranges from a small breakfast portion to larger húntúns that are comparable in size to a ravioli and make for the perfect lunch or light dinner option.
Húntún differ from jiǎozi 饺子 because they are served in a broth and have a thinner skin.
CōngYóuBǐng 葱油饼
CōngYóuBǐng 葱油饼, also known as a scallion pancake, is a savory flatbread made of dough folded with oil and minced scallions. The pan-fry gives it crisp edges and a chewy texture.
An old Chinese folktale says that when Marco Polo returned from China, he missed CōngYóuBǐng 葱油饼 so much that he had his Italian chef try to make it and that’s where pizza was created! Many locals believe this story and will tell you CōngYóuBǐng 葱油饼 is the ancestor to Italian pizza.
Jiān bǐng 煎饼
Jiānbǐng 煎饼 are a traditional Chinese street food and by far the most popular street food breakfast. Since jiānbǐngs are never pre-made and customers pick their own ingredients, at rush hour, you’ll typically find a queue form 5-20 people waiting for there’s to be fried.
The literal translation is fried pancake. Similar to crepes, jiānbǐngs main ingredients are a batter of wheat and grain flour, eggs, and sauces. Different fillings from the most common scallions and sesame to coriander and diced ham. Often fold in half including chili sauce or hoisin sauce.
Chuàn 串
Chuàn 串, “kebab” refers to basically any street food that is sold on a stick. Typically meats such as squid, chicken, beef, lamb, and even tofu. In tourist areas, insects, bugs, and other “exotic” animals can also be found skewered.
Tánghúlu 糖葫蘆
Tánghúlu is a traditional snack from northern China. Essentially candied fruit on bamboo skewers! Chinese hawthorn is the traditional fruit used for skewering with the pits and seeds removed and filled with red bean paste before dipping in the
Tea Egg 茶叶蛋
Tea eggs 茶叶蛋 are probably the most recognizable snack to any westerner as they are simply hard-boiled eggs. So what makes them so special? They’re boiled in…you guessed it, tea! Along with various other sauces and spices including soy sauce, cinnamon, star anise, fennel, Sichuan peppercorns, and cloves.
These tea eggs are seen everywhere from Family Mart and street vendors to Chinese restaurants. Street vendors and even convenience stores like Family Mart will typically serve them to you in a plastic grocery bag, ouchie hot but definitely keep your hands warm in the winter!
Sweet Potato
Another recognizable western snack, sweet potatoes! These are a seasonal snack and one that indicates “winter is coming…”! Typically sold on street corners, these sweet treats are served hot AF in a plastic grocery bag.
Shànghǎi Máoxiè上海毛蟹
Shànghǎi Máoxiè 上海毛蟹, Shanghai Hairy Crab is also known as Chinese Mitten Crab 上海大闸蟹, is a medium-sized crab named for its furry claws that resemble mittens. Only available in autumn, October and November months in Shanghai, these little crabs can be found in every restaurant in Shanghai from 5-star to street vendors and even vending machines.
How they are served is really up to you, or the restaurant you choose. The most simple way, and most popular by local Shanghainese, is a
Have you tried any of these Shanghai snacks? Leave a comment below with your favorite!
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the foodie scene of Shanghai, check out these tours below!
