China Food | Synotrip

Connoisseurs of elegant Chinese should not skip the Juqingfang restaurant. Nestled alongside one of Ningbo’s three rivers, the atmosphere and setting is ideal for a romantic meal or other business function. Professional staff will cater to your every need in the beautifully furnished restau...

Shikumen Bistro

Shikumen Bistro provided me with the most memorable meal I have had yet in Shanghai, and remains among the top 5 meals I have ever had. While Shikumen is a well respected restaurant within Shanghai, it is not on the radar like Jean Georges or M on the Bund. It absolutely should be though. Despite its Chinese name, Shikumen features a French Mediterranean menu, but so subtle I did not detect any particular influence – I only noticed that I desired everything on the menu.

To start with we ordered drinks (the Shanghaipolitan was the big winner), and appetizers. We then ordered three appetizers; a delicious fresh and salty tuna tartar, can’t miss lamb meat balls, and baked, garden-fresh zucchini fritters. Each of the four of us ordered a different main course. We were each so pleased with our selection that we were practically unwilling to share! My choice was the lamb shanks with gnocchi. The dish was so hearty and rich that I’m still dreaming about it right now. We also loved the vegetable ravioli, the mushroom and foie gras risotto, and the lamb chops with fresh vegetable. Our waiter replenished individual servings of fresh baked bread throughout the meal. The meals were so filling that we sadly had to skip dessert, but I have no doubt it would have lived up to the high standards set by the rest of the meal!

The total per person, with drinks, appetizer and a main course, was about 500RMB. If your budget allows, do not miss Shikumen Bistro!

How to get there: Take Metro Line 1 to the Huangpi Nanlu Station. Head south on Huangpi Nanlu, and look for the sign for Shikumen Bistro on the right side of the street at the edge of the Xintiandi complex.

Huang Cheng Ba Niu Rou: Hui (Chinese Muslim) Minority Cuisine

If you enjoy eating beef, that is, absolutely any part of a cow, then make time for this traditional Hui Minority restaurant. The Hui look like regular Han Chinese people, but they are Islamic. "Niu Rou" (牛肉） means beef, and I don’t think any dish in this restaurant doesn’t ...

This kind of restaurant is representative of true Chinese dining. The walls are completely bare and somewhat grimy. Chinese customers gorge themselves at round tables, chugging beer and baijiu (Chinese firewater), and conversing in the loudest possible voices. Waitresses listen to your order and immediately shout the order to the front desk, using as loud a voice as necessary to be heard over the din of the restaurant. Dishes are very affordable. A recent meal with four people and seven dishes cost Y77 and there was more than enough to eat.

Here are some dishes well worth trying, especially if you can’t read the Chinese menu:

Fan Qie Niu Wei Tang - Tomato soup with tomato chunks and cow tail (a solid appetizer)

Jiang Bao Niu She - Beef tongue

Hui Guo Rou - Fried beef with red and green peppers (excellent)

Fen Zhen Niu Rou - A mixture of rice with some spicy ground beef

Hong Shao Niu Ji Sui - Spinal cord in a spicy red sauce (it’s China, be a little courageous)

Directions: From Tianfu Square head east on Renmin Donglu or Dongyu Jie which run parallel to each other. Then turn left on Shuncheng Jie. Turn right on Tidu Jie (Cell Phone Street) after the Dynasty Hotel. Make the next left onto Sangui Qianjie. The restaurant is on the left side.

HaYa's Mediterranean Cuisine

Owned and operated by an Israeli family, Ha Ya’s is far and away the tastiest and most authentic Israeli cuisine in Shanghai. Israeli food incorporates Mediterranean and European flavors to create a deliciously fresh menu full of unique veggie and meat dishes. Following kosher practices, this restaurant is perfect for vegetarians, as meat and veggie dishes are carefully labeled on the menu and cooked separately.

The décor is simple, open and clean with bright Mediterranean colors tastefully placed throughout the restaurant. It is the food here, however, that makes the restaurant worth a visit. Do not miss the homemade hummus and pita (simply delicious, and also for sale at the international grocery store, City Market), and the tzatziki for starters. We also loved the Israeli and Greek salads as a compliment to our main courses, which were amazing. I recommend the falafel, chicken shawarma and the schnitzel – all healthy servings that ensure customers will not leave hungry!

Check out HaYa’s website.

How to get there: Take Metro Line 1 to Huangpi Lu Station. Head north on Huangpi Lu and pass by Yan’an Zhonglu. Take a left on Dagu Lu., Ha Ya’s will be on your left. It’s a 15 minute walk from the subway station. (Edited by Xiaoqing)