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Food tours in Shanghai: what to eat and which tour to book
Shanghai's own cooking (benbang cai) is sweet, soy-dark and oily in a deliberate way: red-braised pork, smoked fish, drunken chicken, scallion oil noodles. Its fame abroad comes from dumplings, above all xiaolongbao and pan-fried shengjian bao, which are cheap breakfast and lunch food here. Because the city draws people from all over China, you can also eat Sichuan, Hunan, Xinjiang, Cantonese and Yunnan food at a high level, often within a few streets of each other.
Use this page to choose what to try and where: classic dishes, the streets and districts known for them, and how to pay (most places expect mobile payment). The tours listed are real GetYourGuide listings, with prices as seen when we checked; confirm current details on the booking page before you pay.
What to eat in Shanghai
| Dish | What it is | Where to eat it | Typical price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soup dumplings 小笼包 xiaolongbao | Thin-skinned steamed dumplings filled with pork and a jellied broth that melts when cooked; bite a small hole and drink the soup first. Crab-roe versions cost more. | Dumpling shops everywhere; the Nanxiang style is sold around Yuyuan Garden, though queues there are mostly tourists. | roughly ¥20–45 (about €2.50–5.50) for a basket of 6–10 |
| Pan-fried pork buns 生煎包 shengjian bao | Yeasted buns filled with pork and broth, fried in a wide flat pan until the bottoms are crisp, topped with sesame and scallion. | Chain and neighbourhood shops; Huanghe Road near People's Square is known for them. | about ¥10–25 (about €1.20–3) for four |
| Red-braised pork belly 红烧肉 hong shao rou | Pork belly braised slowly in soy sauce, rice wine and rock sugar until glossy and soft; the signature benbang dish. | Shanghainese restaurants across the city, from family places to old-school brands. | roughly ¥50–120 (about €6–15) a dish |
| Scallion oil noodles 葱油拌面 cong you ban mian | Thin noodles tossed in oil fried with lots of scallions until dark, plus soy sauce. Simple and cheap. | Noodle shops and old lane restaurants. | about ¥12–25 (about €1.50–3) |
| Sticky rice roll 粢饭团 ci fan tuan | Glutinous rice wrapped around a fried dough stick (youtiao), pickled vegetables and sometimes pork floss; part of the classic Shanghai breakfast with soy milk. | Breakfast stalls in residential lanes, early morning. | about ¥6–15 (under €2) |
| Drunken chicken 醉鸡 zui ji | Poached chicken served cold after marinating in Shaoxing rice wine; a common cold starter. | Shanghainese restaurants, as one of several cold plates. | roughly ¥40–80 (about €5–10) a plate |
| Hairy crab 大闸蟹 dazha xie | Chinese mitten crab from Yangcheng Lake and nearby waters, steamed and eaten with ginger vinegar; prized for its roe. Seasonal, roughly late September to December. | Specialist restaurants and seasonal stalls; many restaurants put them on the menu in autumn. | roughly ¥80–300+ (about €10–38+) per crab depending on size and origin |
| Wonton soup 小馄饨 / 大馄饨 huntun | Small wontons in a clear broth with dried shrimp and seaweed, or large ones with pork and greens. | Breakfast and late-night shops all over the city. | about ¥12–25 (about €1.50–3) |
Where to eat: markets and neighbourhoods
Yuyuan Garden bazaar (Old City)
The rebuilt old-style bazaar around Yuyuan Garden and the City God Temple, full of snack shops selling xiaolongbao and local sweets. Touristy and more expensive, but a single place to try many classic snacks.
Huanghe Road food street
Street just north of People's Square with long-running dumpling and shengjian bao shops, and plenty of locals among the queues.
Shouning Road
Short street in Huangpu district known for crayfish and late-night seafood, busiest in summer.
Former French Concession
Plane-tree streets (Wukang Road, Yongkang Road area, Wulumuqi Road) with Shanghainese restaurants, cafés, bakeries and wet markets used by residents.
Neighbourhood wet markets
Every district has an indoor wet market with produce, live fish, tofu and breakfast stalls nearby; ask your hotel for the closest one.
Food tours in Shanghai compared
Every tour below is a real listing on GetYourGuide or Viator, checked on 2 Oct 2026. Prices move with season and group size, so treat them as a guide and confirm on the booking page.
| Tour | Length | Price* | Group | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai: Private Dumpling Cooking &Mahjong w/ Local Grandma | 3 - 6 hours | from €74 per person | private | Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients. | Check dates |
| Shanghai: 3-Hour Local Food Tasting Tour | 3 hours | from €60 per person | — | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
| Shanghai Local Market & Hidden Food Tour | 2.5 hours | from €67 per person | max 6 | Morning people who want to see where locals shop and taste produce at the source. | Check dates |
| 3-Hour Shanghai Street Food Tasting & Old Town Private Tour | 3 hours | from €105 per person | private | Couples, families or friends who want the route and pace set around them. | Check dates |
| Shanghai: Authentic Chinese Cooking Class with Master Chef | 3.5 hours | from €247 per group | private | Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients. | Check dates |
Shanghai: Private Dumpling Cooking &Mahjong w/ Local Grandma
On GetYourGuide · run by Wow Shanghai
- Length
- 3 - 6 hours
- Price
- from €74 per person
- Rating
- 5.0 ★ from 8 reviews (on 2 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- private
- Included
- A short guided walk through a real local wet market Hands-on dumpling making lesson with a local grandma A homemade lunch featuring your freshly cooked dishes Grandma's signature home-style side dishes All cooking ing…
- Suits
- Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients.
- Starts
- Getting to Grandma's Home & Exploring the Neighborhood. We know navigating a new city can be daunting, but don't worry! Once booked, we will send you a detailed guide with photos to help you find our home easily (located near Qibao Station of Line 9 and Qixin Road Station of Line 12). By Metro (Recommended): We will provide a custom route from your hotel. It’s a fun way to see the local city life! By Taxi/Didi: We can help you arrange a ride if you prefer a door-to-door experience. Make the Most of Your Trip: Visit Qibao Ancient Town Since you are in the neighborhood, why not make a half-day of it? Our home is just 5 minutes by taxi from the famous Qibao Ancient Town. Many of our guests love to combine their cooking class with a stroll through Qibao's historic streets to try local snacks like Tangyuan (sweet dumplings) and savory pastries. It’s the perfect way to get inspired before you start cooking with us!
Shanghai: 3-Hour Local Food Tasting Tour
On GetYourGuide · run by Shanghai Foodie
- Length
- 3 hours
- Price
- from €60 per person
- Rating
- 4.9 ★ from 1,114 reviews (on 2 Oct 2026)
- Included
- Food and drinks Local guide Hotel pick-up and drop off
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
- Starts
- China, Shang Hai Shi, Huang Pu Qu, 淮海中路333号 邮政编码: 200021
Shanghai Local Market & Hidden Food Tour
On GetYourGuide · run by Hire a Friend
- Length
- 2.5 hours
- Price
- from €67 per person
- Rating
- 5.0 ★ from 10 reviews (on 2 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- max 6
- Included
- Food and drinks Local guide An Architect Hotel pick-up and drop off
- Suits
- Morning people who want to see where locals shop and taste produce at the source.
- Starts
- 30 Hua Yuan Lu, Hong Kou Qu, Shang Hai Shi, China, 200081
3-Hour Shanghai Street Food Tasting & Old Town Private Tour
On GetYourGuide · run by Shanghai Prime Travel
- Length
- 3 hours
- Price
- from €105 per person
- Rating
- 5.0 ★ from 5 reviews (on 2 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- private
- Included
- Great local guide Downtown Shanghai hotel pick up and drop off; Local street food tasting( Enough for a meal); Local transportation( For a party of 1-4 pax, you will be traveled in the local premieum uber, for a par…
- Suits
- Couples, families or friends who want the route and pace set around them.
Shanghai: Authentic Chinese Cooking Class with Master Chef
On GetYourGuide · run by WALK WITH US - SHANGHAI BEIJING
- Length
- 3.5 hours
- Price
- from €247 per group
- Rating
- 5.0 ★ from 3 reviews (on 2 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- private
- Included
- All food materials and ingredients Secret recipe to bring back home Drinks (tea/juice/beer)
- Suits
- Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients.
- Starts
- The chef will pick you up at the West Nanjing Road Metro Station, exit 8
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Street food, sit-down or a cooking class?
Street food
Shanghai street food is mostly breakfast and snack food sold from small shops rather than carts: dumplings, buns, scallion pancakes, sticky rice rolls and wontons. The lane breakfast stalls of the past have been thinned out by redevelopment, but neighbourhood shops still do the job. Expect to pay by phone.
Sit-down meals
Restaurants range from cheap noodle and dumpling chains to old Shanghainese brands and international fine dining. Dishes are ordered to share; for two people, three or four dishes plus rice is normal. Many restaurants use QR-code menus and ordering, which works better if you can read Chinese or use a translation app.
Cooking classes
Cooking classes in Shanghai typically cover dumpling folding (xiaolongbao or jiaozi) or a few home-style dishes, often in a studio or private kitchen in the Former French Concession. They are short and social; check the language of instruction and whether a market visit is included.
How much to budget for food
| Style | Per person, per day* |
|---|---|
| Budget (street food, markets) | ¥80–150 (about €10–19): breakfast stall, dumplings at lunch, noodle-shop dinner |
| Mid-range (one sit-down meal a day) | ¥250–500 (about €30–60): one sit-down Shanghainese meal shared with others |
| Splurge (tasting menus, wine) | ¥1,000+ (about €125+): fine dining or a hairy-crab banquet |
Vegetarian, halal and gluten-free
Vegetarian & vegan: Possible but needs care. Buddhist vegetarian restaurants, often near temples such as Jing'an and Longhua, serve fully meat-free food. Ordinary dishes that look vegetarian often use lard, chicken stock or dried shrimp. Learn 'wo chi su' (I am vegetarian) and ask about stock.
Halal: Halal Hui and Uyghur restaurants serving lamb, hand-pulled noodles (lanzhou lamian) and kebabs are common across the city; look for the green sign with 清真 (qingzhen). Shanghainese cooking itself uses a lot of pork.
Gluten-free: Difficult. Soy sauce (with wheat) is in most dishes, and dumplings, buns and noodles are wheat-based. Rice, steamed fish and some stir fries can work if you explain clearly; carry a Chinese-language card.
Food scams and tourist traps to avoid
- The tea-house scam: friendly 'students' or 'tourists' near the Bund, Nanjing Road or People's Square invite you for tea or drinks, then you are given a bill for hundreds or thousands of yuan. Politely decline invitations from strangers to go to a tea house or bar; choose places yourself and see prices before ordering.
- Overpriced 'famous' xiaolongbao shops in the Yuyuan bazaar, with long queues and high prices for food you can get cheaper elsewhere. Try one basket there if you want the experience, but eat most dumplings in ordinary neighbourhood shops.
- Hairy crab sold out of season, or ordinary crabs sold as premium Yangcheng Lake crabs. Eat hairy crab only in autumn, buy at reputable restaurants, and check the price per crab and its weight before ordering.
- Being unable to pay because the place takes only Alipay or WeChat Pay, leading to awkward overcharging with cash. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you arrive and carry some cash as a back-up; check the amount on screen before confirming.
Top tours & activities in Shanghai
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Staying near the markets saves time and taxi money — most food tours start in the old centre.
Common questions
How do I pay for food in Shanghai?
Most places expect Alipay or WeChat Pay, including small shops. Both apps now let foreign visitors link an overseas Visa or Mastercard, so set them up before you travel. Larger restaurants and hotels accept cards and cash; small stalls may struggle to give change for cash, so carry small notes.
Is street food safe to eat?
Yes, as a rule. Choose busy places with fast turnover and food cooked or steamed to order. Tap water is not drunk straight; use bottled or boiled water. If you have a sensitive stomach, go easy on very spicy or oily food at first, and avoid raw seafood at cheap places.
Do I need to tip?
No. Tipping is not customary in mainland China and may be refused. Some upmarket hotel restaurants add a service charge of around 10–15%. Tour guides used to foreign visitors may accept a tip, but it is not expected.
How much should I budget for food per day?
Eating in dumpling and noodle shops, about ¥80–150 (roughly €10–19) covers the day. A day with a shared sit-down Shanghainese dinner is around ¥250–500 per person. Fine dining and imported wine are priced like other world cities.
When is hairy crab season?
Roughly from late September through December, with females considered best earlier in the season and males later. Outside those months, crabs on menus are frozen or of lower quality. Prices depend on size and origin; Yangcheng Lake crabs carry a premium and are often faked.
What should I eat for breakfast in Shanghai?
Locals talk about the 'four heavenly kings' of breakfast: da bing (a flatbread), youtiao (fried dough stick), ci fan (sticky rice roll) and dou jiang (soy milk, sweet or savoury). Add a basket of shengjian bao or a bowl of small wontons. Breakfast shops are busiest from about 6:30 to 9:00.
* Prices are approximate, gathered on 2 Oct 2026 from menus, markets and the booking pages linked above. They change with season and exchange rates.