Shanghai & Jiangsu

🍳Cooking Style

Hong shao (red cooking) braising in soy, sugar, and wine. Emphasis on umami through fermented ingredients. Famous for delicate soup dumplings.

📜Historical Context

Shanghai's rise as an international trade hub blended traditional Jiangsu cuisine with global influences, creating a sophisticated urban food culture.

🌟Signature Dishes

China·Expert·3 hours (includes aspic preparation and chilling)

Xiao Long Bao

Delicate, pleated wrappers encasing a savory pork filling and a rich, gelatinous broth that transforms into a delicious soup when steamed. These iconic Shanghai soup dumplings are a true culinary delight, bursting with flavor in every bite.

China·Medium·2 hours 35 minutes

Hong Shao Rou

Melt-in-your-mouth pork belly braised in a rich, sweet, and savory soy caramel sauce. A quintessential Shanghai classic that is deeply comforting and flavorful.

China·Medium·2 hours 20 minutes

Shi Zi Tou

Giant, succulent pork meatballs, named for their size resembling a lion's mane, are gently braised with tender Napa cabbage in a savory broth. This Shanghai classic is known for its melt-in-your-mouth texture and comforting, rich flavor.

🍽️More from Shanghai & Jiangsu

China·Easy·45 minutes

Braised Tofu with Shiitake Mushrooms

A classic Chinese vegetarian dish featuring pan-fried firm tofu and earthy shiitake mushrooms braised in a rich, savory sauce. This comforting and flavorful meal is perfect served with steamed rice.

China·Medium·30 minutes

Chao Fen

A classic Cantonese stir-fried noodle dish featuring tender beef, fresh rice noodles, crisp bean sprouts, and fragrant Chinese chives, infused with the smoky 'wok hei' (breath of the wok). This recipe aims for authentic flavor and texture.

China·Medium·55 minutes

Chao Shou / Wonton in Chili Oil

Silky pork and shrimp-filled wontons bathed in a spicy, numbing, and aromatic Sichuan chili oil sauce. These Chao Shou are addictively good and surprisingly easy to make.

China·Medium·8 hours 40 minutes (including marinating)

Char Siu

A classic Cantonese BBQ pork, characterized by its glossy, vibrant red lacquer and a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors. The pork shoulder is marinated in a rich blend of sauces and spices, then roasted to tender, caramelized perfection.

China·Medium·3 hours 15 minutes

Char Siu Bao

Fluffy, slightly sweet steamed buns encasing a savory and tender Cantonese BBQ pork (char siu) filling. A quintessential dim sum classic, these buns are known for their pillowy texture and the characteristic split top.

China·Medium·8 hours 25 minutes (including marinating)

Char Siu Pork Ribs

Tender and succulent Cantonese-style BBQ pork spare ribs, coated in a rich, sweet, and savory char siu glaze. The result is beautifully lacquered ribs with a perfect balance of flavors and a hint of smoky char.