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Best Food in Xin'an (2026)
Start your culinary tour at Lao Zhang Beef Noodle, located at 12 Zhongshan Road, where the hand-pulled noodles in rich, spicy broth have been a local staple for over 30β¦ π Signature Noodle Houses
Start your culinary tour at Lao Zhang Beef Noodle, located at 12 Zhongshan Road, where the hand-pulled noodles in rich, spicy broth have been a local staple for over 30 years. A bowl costs 18 RMB and is best enjoyed before 11 a.m., as the shop often sells out by noon. For a lighter option, try the sesame sauce noodles at Wang Ji Noodle Bar, 45 Jiefang Street, open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
π₯ Dumpling Delights
At the bustling Dongmen Night Market, you'll find Auntie Chen's Dumpling Stall, a tiny stand that serves juicy pork and chive dumplings for 10 RMB per dozen. The stall opens at 5 p.m. and queues form quickly, so arrive early or be prepared to wait. For a sit-down experience, head to Fulin Dumpling House, 88 Renmin Avenue, where the shrimp and corn dumplings are a crowd favorite at 22 RMB for eight.
π’ Street Food Hotspots
The Ximen Alley food street is the heart of Xin'an's street food scene, with vendors grilling lamb skewers, squid, and corn on the cob from 6 p.m. to midnight. Most skewers cost between 5 and 15 RMB, and the smoky aroma is irresistible. Don't miss the stinky tofu at the corner stall, which is surprisingly mild and served with a tangy pickled cabbage.
π° Sweet Treats and Bakeries
For dessert, visit Sweet Memory Bakery, 23 Wenhua Road, known for its egg tarts (6 RMB each) and red bean mochi (12 RMB for a box of six). The bakery opens at 8 a.m. and often has a line by mid-morning. Another favorite is the old-fashioned sponge cake at Grandma Liu's, a tiny shop at 7 Qingshui Lane, where a slice costs just 8 RMB and sells out by 4 p.m.
π΅ Tea Houses and Cafes
Take a break at the historic Qingfeng Teahouse, 56 Riverside Walk, which offers a serene setting with traditional Chinese tea sets and a selection of local green teas starting at 30 RMB per pot. For a modern twist, visit Bean & Leaf CafΓ©, 101 Taiping Road, where the matcha latte (25 RMB) and jasmine tea cake (18 RMB) are popular with locals. Both spots are ideal for a mid-afternoon rest.
π Local Home-Style Cooking
For authentic home-style dishes, book a table at Grandma's Kitchen, 34 Huayuan Street, where the braised pork belly and stir-fried greens are served family-style for about 40 RMB per person. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is always busy, so reservations are recommended on weekends. Another gem is the small eatery Home Taste, 9 Lianhua Road, offering a daily set menu for 25 RMB that changes with the market.
πΊ Evening Food and Beer
As night falls, the South Gate Beer Garden becomes a lively spot to enjoy grilled fish and cold local craft beers, with a full meal costing around 60 RMB per person. The garden is open from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. and features live acoustic music on Fridays and Saturdays. For a quieter evening, try the riverside BBQ stalls near the old bridge, where you can eat skewers while watching the lights reflect on the water.
fwiw the guide's spot on about Qingfeng Teahouse but if you're there on a slow weekday afternoon, ask the old guy who runs it if he has any of the aged pu'er in the back. it's not on the menu, he'll bring out a little clay pot and it's like 15 RMB extra but worth it. also they do a plum snack plate that pairs crazy well with the tea, most people never notice it since it's just sitting on the counter.
The guide's pretty solid overall, but I'd add that the morning rush at Lao Zhang is real. I showed up at 10:45 once thinking I was early enough, and they were already scraping the bottom of the pot. If you want the full experience, go at 8 a.m. when the broth's at its richest and you can actually get a seat by the window.
One thing that's easy to miss is the hidden dumpling counter inside the Dongmen Night Market's north entrance, not Auntie Chen's but the one tucked behind the fruit stalls. They do a cabbage and egg dumpling that's lighter than the pork ones, and they'll fry them crispy on request for no extra charge. It's cash only and they close by 8 p.m., so it's a quick stop before the skewer crawl.
For the sweet stuff, Grandma Liu's sponge cake is worth the early trip, but if you get there after 3 p.m. and they're out, walk two doors down to the little tea shop at 9 Qingshui Lane. They sell a sesame ball stuffed with red bean paste that's fried to order, 5 RMB each, and it's honestly better than most of what you'd find at the night market.
honestly the guide nailed most of it but i gotta say the stinky tofu at Ximen Alley is way better than they let on. i was skeptical too but that tangy pickled cabbage thing they do with it is the move, get extra of that if they have it.
one thing nobody mentions is the breakfast scene near the old bus station on Jiefang Street. around 6:30am there's a lady selling youtiao and fresh soy milk from a cart, costs like 4 RMB total. she's been there for years and the soy milk is still warm from the pot, perfect before hitting the noodle shops.
also if you're at South Gate Beer Garden on a Friday, get there before 7pm or you'll be standing. the grilled fish is solid but the real gem is the grilled eggplant with garlic, it's not on the menu half the time so just ask for it. and the local craft beer they pour is from a brewery up in the hills, way better than the stuff you'd expect for the price.
for a quieter night, skip the riverside BBQ if it's crowded and walk a bit further north to the little park benches past the old bridge. there's a small vendor who does skewers there, less choice but the lamb is better seasoned and you get the water reflection without the chaos.
Shanghai hidden gems beyond the Bund?
honestly skip the bund crowds and head to the former french concession around wukang road. grab a coffee at some random lane spot, the whole area has these old lane houses that feel way more real than the skyline. also check out the rock bund art museum near the south bund, it's in this old industrial building with killer views and barely any tourists last time i was there. if u want food, go to tianzifang but skip the main alleys and wander into the side lanes, you'll find a tiny dumpling place that's like 15 yuan for 10 pieces
if you're around on a weekend morning, hit up the antique market on dongtai road before it fully gentrifies. it's mostly gone now tbh but there's still a few stalls tucked near the intersection with liuhe road, you'll find old propaganda posters and weird mao-era knickknacks for like 20 kuai. also the shanghai natural history museum in jing'an is underrated, the building itself is this wild spiral shape and the dinosaur skeletons are legit impressive, plus it's like 30 yuan entry. for a quiet evening walk i'd do the suzhou creek path near the north bund but go west from the waibaidu bridge, past the old post office building, there's a stretch where the lights hit the water just right and nobody's around
yeah if you want something totally different check out the long museum (long museum west bund) it's this massive space with rotating contemporary art, way less crowded than the power station of art. also walk the suzhou creek trail near the north bund, it's kinda rough around the edges but you get these weird views of old factories mixed with new towers